We request the attention of the freshman class to the following facts. Three years ago, when a call was made to candidates for the freshman nine, it was answered by sixty men; two years ago a similar call was answered by fifty-six men; last year, by sixty-one men; this year, by thirty-six.

Something is wrong. The classes in the college have steadily increased in numbers, and the baseball captain has a right to expect a corresponding increase in the number of candidates. His expectations, natural and reasonable as they are, have not been fulfilled at all. Not only has there been no increase, but there has been an alarming decrease. Of all the classes now in college, ninety-seven has made the feeblest initial effort to produce a nine. Of course the matter rests entirely with the class. There is no compulsion in the matter. If they are willing to have their record the poorest in many years, if they wish to incur the reputation of being spiritless, they have full power. And yet the rest of the University cannot look on with indifference while they take such a course. Harvard's prospects in baseball have not been so gloomy for years as they are at present. Part of the responsibility for the reputation which Harvard shall gain in the coming year rests upon the freshmen. The nine is almost certain to contest with nines from other colleges, and it will probably meet Yale. The standing of the freshman nine in relation to the other class nines may be of little account, but its standing in relation to the freshman nines of other institutions is by no means of small importance.

The situation calls for an expression of great energy on the part of the freshmen. If all the men who have baseball ability-even if it is only latent ability-do not try for the nine, then the chances for its success are materially diminished at the start. Just at this time the prospect of a winning team would be highly encouraging, and, on the other hand, the prospect of a disgracefully weak team is particularly disheartening. Ninety-seven has it in her power to do the University a great good or a great harm.