Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-09

The Nationals arrived home Sunday morn
Ing and lost little time getting to their no.
tells and boarding houses, they We're all
tagged out with the all-night ride. In the
afternoon majority of the players went
TO the park to inspect the new clubhouse
and also the grounds since the Introduction
of crude oil to the base lines and batters
and pitchers boxes. The mixture has been
worked together nicely and Manager Cam
tillun said this morning that 1t would take
IA very hard rain hereafter to prevent the
games being played. Notwithstanding the
hard rains of early Sunday morning, and
1t certainly did come down. the grounds
wese dry as punk around the exposed lines
by IL o'clock. Another thing that the oil
will prevent is the dust that bobs up on a
windy day, and the innovation will be APP
preciated by everybody.
Contractor Dunn has the clubhouse we'll
under way, and it will be completed for the
players by the time the team returns home
from New York next Sunday. The players
Inspected their new home and all voted it
very cumfortable-loOking and artistic.
In the games this afternoon with New
York Shpke will be on third instead of
OBrien. Pete taken sick in Boston
Friday night, and the physician told him
not to work under any consideration. AS
Shipke couldn't be reached in time, o Brien
simply remarkable. Manager Cantillon
said that o Brien's temperature over
the hundred mark all day Saturday and
that he certainly felt sorry for the clever
third baseman throughout the double
header This morning O'Brien was some
what better, but 1t Will be some time be-
fore he gets back in the game again. Pete
will be missed. he has been fielding in
grand shape and also hitting timely. Shipke
has been practicing at the park with the
bunch of players left at home and is in
good shape TO take O'Brien's place.
Notwithstanding that young Mcdonald
given a hard clouting in Philadelphia
Manager Cantilon was pleased with his
Mcdonald relieved Oberlin the game was
lost and Mac was told to take 1t easy. At
that he struck out seven batsmen in five
innings and was as cool as a cucumber
throughout the smuggling bee. Manager
Cantillon says he may work Mcdonald to-
morrow and also Landlord. he IS anx-
ious to give both thorough trial
1t will be news TO a great many people to
learn that Charley Smith. the clever pitcher,
has entirely done away with the spit ball.
Many people had come to the conclusion
that Smiths great Improvement was due TO
the splitter, but the contrary is the case.
Charley says the spit ball nearly ruined his
arm. and that he will have no more OF II.
His splendid game in Philadelphia last Mon
day was won without splitter being
used. and Saturday. in Boston, Smith sim
ply outdid himself in the way of effective
hess. and the wet ball was entirely miss
Ing. Smith has been taking good care OF
himself this season and his work shows It,
Right now he is of the stars OF the
American League and II the good work
continue next season he will be working
for a big bonus.
Joy is in the heart OF every base ball dew
otee who is roofing for the Athletics in
their great battle for supremacy In the
American League pennant race, for. al
though Detroit. Chicago and Cleveland are
still close enough TO be dangerous, and
have a chance to float the pennant flag
in their respective ball yards, it contin-
ues 10 look very much II the clan OF
Cornelius MacGillicuddy. otherwise Connie
Mack, would nail the 1907 flag alongside
those of 1892 and 1905.
The Athletics are not enjoying a lead
that allows for any quiet repose on the
part OF the nervous fan who Is following
their race. More than one prediction has
been made that Detroit had about run out
lit string, but the Tigers are still very much
In the race, and yesterday they cut down
the Athletics lead to three points by de-
feating the White S0x in an exciting twelve
inning game, Detroit scoring three runs in
their half.
Finishes Of this kind have been very COM
mon with the Tigers all season, which shows