The times., 1897-03-27
Too Cold i'm the Morning, But
Practiced i'm the Afternoon.
CONDITION OF THE PLAYERS
Manager SchmeIz Says the Men Are
Far Advanced Rivalry Between
"FarreIls"and "McGuires"-Sw Swain
Is Not Well-The Norfolk Team
Reports for Preliminary Work.


IN the club dressing room. Manager
Schmelz esteemed it entirely too cold
to attempt work in the open, and when
the players assembled he called a CON
vention around the low neck stove,
and team plays and strategy were dis
cussed until lunch hour. These quiet little
talks are sure TO prove OF great henefit,
as the men Will learn one anothcrs s ideas
and become acquainted with many tricks
which will prove useful during the prog
ress OF houy contested game
In the afternoon routine practice was
the order, the men donning uniforms and
heavy sweaters, and starting in at
clock. The players remained Oh the
field for d couple OF hours. The unfavor-
able weather has retarded Swaims re
coyery from the attack OF grip thai ne
brought with him from Ohio, ana as
exercise affects his heart, Manager Schlneiz
viii allow him 10 pra ctiee but very
sparncly. The big boy viii get all right
as soon as the sun shines warm ana
bright ana when he does come good and
strong" the endurance OF even Farrell
and Mcclure will be tested to handle his
hot shot.
Manager SchInelZ is disappointed that
Jimmy MoJ amcs will not he able TO reach
Washington before April >. He lays great
store by Jimmy. and wants him here TO get
the benefit of the preliminary practice.
Talking of the progress OF the team yes
terday afternoon, the genial Gus said: The
splendid condition of the men after only
a few days practice attests to the good
care they have taken of themselves during
the winter In all my experience as
manager and trainer of ball clubs, cover
ing many years, have never seen body
of players round 10 as quickly as the ones
who will represent Washington this season
u know II is customary and the habit of
managers and captains To say they nave
world-bcaters in the spring, and have them
selves proved false prophets when the reai
struggle is on. And / may be mistaken
this year / am not prophesylng, under
stand as TO where the Senator's VIII flnlsh'
but | can say in all honesty that never he-
fore in handling players or in observing
the work of other trainers, have seen
such good form in a weeks time as our
team evidences at present. They had two
davs' good practice, Monday and Tuesday,
when the weather was warm and nice, and
those two DAYS worked marvels- Inc
weather since has been against us, hut the
beneficial results OF the first two days are
manifest and viii he shown to the public
when the games are played next week.
The infieldcrs and outfielders are in
shape 10 Jump in and play championship
game tomorrow. All we need now is TO
bring the pitchers around. Mercer )
quick trainer, and l doubt if there is an
other nitcher in the League that can APP
proach lis present condition. Ashe, Also rs
good and strong, and is ready To take his
turn in the box Another warm day viii
nut the finishing touches On Norton and
German. K:mme and Swain will be all
right toy the latter part OF next week. The
pitchers are being worked slowly, as ii Is
NOT good fudgnieIit. nor even common sense.
TO push them along rapidly.
As to the catchers. Mcclure is as hard
as a rock and is ready TO go in and catch
a game every day. Farrell, though, needs
a little more time in which to get the kinks
jroned out of his throwing wing, but, like
the pitchers all that is necessary for him
is for Old Sol to blaze down hot and steam
ing. Charley's eye. however is right on
the haIl. and the way he swats the leather
at this time prcsages a lot of leg work
the season. on the whole | am entirely
satisfied with tlre showing of the team, and
/ viii Toe surprised f we don't fool whole
lot of clubs when the bell taps for the
start"
When asked about King and Maui. Man
ager Scllnlelz said that he was not worry
ing himself out Of sleep about their tardi-
ness King he said, was always
stubborn about reporting in the spring,
and is only keeping up his reputation by
DELAYING Lis arrival. When he was a
member of Comiskey's famous st. Louis
Browns and afterward with Chicago, he
was about the last man to show up for
practice. I am sure that he will come
along in few days, but must say that
he is standing in his own light 10y failing
10 avail himself OF the advantages of warm
inC-up work with the others. a pitcher,
more than any other player, is benefited
bv starting in early and improving his
arm in easy stages.
..Maul's case is different. If reports are
true. he is dissatisfied with the sliding
contract offered him Really, cannot
verify the report, but his absence and his
silence indicates that he is disgrunted about
something. Until the matter is settled
one wav or another between him and Mr..
Wagner. prefer not to discuss it,
The rivalry bet ween the ''McGUires' and
"Farrells" over the outcome of next Mon
dav's game continues at white heat. The
'.Duke'' and the "Old Reliable" jocularly
declare they viii wipe up the ground with
one another. and the players on each side
are as confident as their captains.
With the exception of Cartwright, Far
rell has the regular infield with Reilly at
third. DeMontreville at short, and O'Brlen
at second Pitcher Ashe Will play first
for the Farrells McGUire's infield will
be composed of Cartwright at the initial
corner. German at second, Wrigley at
short, and Bert Meyers at third. Both
mines. therefore. Will have ''stone walls
against which the batsmen must operate
and il will he a lucky grounder that
escapes to the frontier All the pitchers
will be worked during the game. McGuirc
and Farrell viii do the backstopping for
their clubs, but to guard against over
work. Ernie Hodge and Jack Gilroy will
be in reserve to help out the veterans.
lack and Ernie are well-Bnown local boys
who have signed in the Atlantic League
for the coming season
The Senators had a party of visitors Of
the ''profesh'' at National Park in the
afternoon. The guests were Manager
Smith Of the Norfolk, Va, club and six
OF his PLAYERS. Washington was desig-
mated as the reporting point for the Nor
folks, and the above number put in ap-
pearancc Thursday night The remainder
are expected today and tomorrow Gilroy
is a member Of the team Manager Smith
set about at once to make arrangements