Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-11

q
Manager Stahl and his companions of the
Nationals lost little time getting out of
New York yesterday when they ascertained
from Manager Griffith that the Highland
ers grounds were not fit for game of ball.
They hurried into their street clothes.
caught the o'clock train and were in
Washington at II o'clock last night. This
insured everybody a good nights rest and
the boys were out early at the park this
morning for a couple hours practice, which
they went through with in the most dash
ing spirit. Manager Armour and several of
the Detroit players were at the park this
morning, but sat up In the grand stand and
watched the local boys go through their
practice.
When seen by a Star reporter this morn
ing Manager Stahl had little to say in the
way of news. He could not disguise the
fact that he is in particularly good spirits
over the showing of the club. but the great
slump the boys took last season has made
Stahl very chary about making predictions.
He said the team played splendid ball.
both In Boston and New York, but that
Bender and Plank took all the life out
OF It in the first two games at Philadelphia
The Nationals. to a man. like to sWipe the
ball and when pitcher has them puzzled
there is nothing to 1t but 10 curl up.
covered from his run-in with Hal Chase
al New York. and Trainer Quirk let's no
opportunity go by whereby he can keep the
veteran keyed up to the top notch. Man
sger Stahl handed out bouquets TO every
man on the team. and said that he never
Witnessed better work than that put up by
Cross, both in Boston and New York. The
veterans work has been the means of urg-
ing on George NH and the little shortstop
has been playing with a confidence that is
irresistible. Harry Schalfiy. at second, has
continued his good fielding game. and in
addition has hit so marvelously well as to
surprise even his team mates who have
been predicting that he would make good
from the start of the season Anderson,
Jones and Hickman have been fielding we'll
and the first two rank I'D high as hitters,
especially at opportune times. 'Hick' has
lost his batting eye for the time being. but
he is liable TO strike his gait at any time,
and then. of course, he is as good as the
best.
Frank Kitson has been working like
whirlwind, both IN pitching and hitting
and his exploits have acted as an incentive
for the other twlrlers 10 get into the game
with both feet Tom Hughes and Patten
are just now In splendid trim. and the Ma
ttonals should make the Detroits hustle all
the way in the series OF four games. Catch
ers Heydon. Kittredge and Wakefield look
very good, and the latter Is ready to take
his turn behind the bat whenever called
upon.
keeper Newhouse has worked wonders with
the playing field. the ground inside the
base lines looking almost as level as a bill
Hard table. while the outer garden has been
improved in every part.
While on the recent trip Lave Cross gath
cred up a fine hen and about fifteen little
chicks, and their home is now In the rear
OF the club house. Newhouse has rugged up
quite a large wire inClosure for the chicks
TO run around in, and Cross said he felt
Ike he was down home when he got q
sight of the happy family. Cross is great
chicken and pigeon fancier and he had
dozen chickens running around in the Phil
edelphia grounds while he was playing with
Mack.
Manager StahI said that he had decided
to work Tom Hughes against George Null
fin this afternoon with Heydon behind the
bat
The Nationals are in for long string
OF games on the home grounds. and II is
the heartfelt wish OF every Washington
fan" that the playing they recently did IN
Boston and New York will be continued on
their own stamping grounds