The Washington times., 1902-03-29
Many Improvements Pro-
jected for League
Park.
SECRETARY POTTER HERE
Senatorial Manager Rapidly Taking Hold
of Local Situation-Carey Dislikes Wet
Weather-General Notes Of the Ma
tional Game.

Although Manager Lotus first day in
the National Capital was marked by low
ering skies. that dripped encouragement
upon the plans of the energetic manager;
a great deal of work was accomplished
Accompanied by Director G. Hector
Clemes, he was an early visitor at the
League park.
1t was rather dismal sight that
greeted the eyes of the Senatorial man
ager. The leaden sky made dreary back
ground for the rain-drenched diamond.
The outfield was in even worse condition.
the water having converted ii into all
expanse of soft mud. Nothing daunted by
this heartbreaking vista, however. Man
ager LOTUS Immediately plunged into the
preliminary work OF preparing the local
field for the reception of the Senatorial
aggregation the first of next week.
He waded through the mud in the lett
garden and rapidly computed the amount
OF earth necessary to make good the
shrinkage caused by the winters snow
and rain. He discovered that although
almost the entire field was Taade ground,
there is little or no grading to be done
with the exception of a comparatively
small space in the vicinity of the third
sack.
After surveying this section of the
field. Manager Lotus turned his attention
to the stands. He inspected the grand
discover how well the structure had with
STOOD the attack of the elements. There
will be no need of any reconstruction, the
only work necessary being a regular
spring house cleaning.
Will Move Bleachers.
The bleachers are in equally good con-
dition, and. had not Manager LOTUS some
improvements in mind. there would be no
need of touching either of these structures.
1t is his intention. however. to improve
the park by moving the right field bleach
er several yards TO the east and setting
it back 20 feet or more toward the fence.
In this manner while not interfering in
the slightest with the advantages of the
bleacher itself, the seats in the extreme
right hand corner of the grandstand will
be rendered more desirable owing to the
fact that the occupants will be enabled to
follow the movements of the right fielder
when approaching the foul lines in pursuit
of fy.
Club Secretary Arrives.
Willie Manager Lotus was engaged in
this work. Mr. Clark Potter, secretary of
the Was shington club, had arrived from De-
troit He Immediately started in pursuit
of Mr.. Lotus. but the latter was an ex-
ceedingly hard individual TO locate and it
was rot until late in the afternoon that
he succeeded in running the Senatorial
manager to earth, at the headquarters OF
the club. at Bartons.
After a short business talk with LOTUS.
Mr.. Potter was ready to discuss baseball
in general. He said that just before his
departure from Detroit he had talk with
President johnson, the high mogul of the
American League. President Johnson, as
serted Mr.. Potter, is extremely sanguine
regarding the baseball situation. He thinks
that the American League has uneoubted-
" the best of il all the way along the line,
and that this will be one OF the most sue
cessful seasons in the history OF baseball.
Secretary Potter. who is a close per-
sonal friend of President Postal. assured
the representative of The Times that Mr.
Postal is extremely well satisfied with his
Washington investment. He says that Mr..
Postal is confident that the men signed
by him will put up a fast, scientific ar
ticIe of ball and that the work of the
men will not be a disappointment to the
expectations of the Washington enthusi-
asts.
Begin Work Today.
Manager Lotus decided yesterday after
noon that If the weather man did not
forget to turn off the rain spigot he
would commence the work of grading this
morning. He made arrangements to Sc
cure the necessary earth yesterday and
the work will be pushed with all possible
speed.
There is no immediate hurry for com
mencing work upon the bleacher. The
structure will not be needed before April
%. and as work upon it will not inter
fere in any way with the practice OF the
men the shifting position can be accom-
plished at any time before the opening
of the season.
Kept From Practice.
For the first time since Carey donned
his uniform this season he was prevented
from securing his daily practice. Every
day for more than a week past the man
who is slated as guardian of the Senator's
initial sack has been working out the
soreness accumulated by months of idle
ness and he was ty nos:neans pleased at
this interruption to his work.
He wandered about town disconsolately.
all day long, casting occasional glances At
the sombre canopy that enveloped the
horizon OF the National Capital. 1t was
not to be, however, and late in the after
noon he ceased to watch for signs pre-
dieting the breaking up of the storm and
gave up all idea OF securing any practice
II am willing to bet that this layoff
will not make me sore" he said. Il
have had sufficient work to soften up my
WASHINGTON RREWERY'S