The Washington times., 1908-02-23
By THOMAS S. RICE.

The day, March 8, is almost at hand
for the washington ball team TO start
for Galveston. and as it approaches,
The size of the squad grows.
Manager Joe Cantillon originally in
tended 10 take only eighteen men TO
Texas with him. but since he conhded
that to The Times his plans have been
altered by the obvious necessity for
giving a thorough trial 20 all the young
material worthy - the slightest con-
sideration. and his latest bulletin shows
the names of twenty-six men. Instead
OF exactly two ball teams, he will have
within one of three, and it is more than
likely that before ne reaches the South
he win order one or two more to re-
port. making a trio of mines.
Trying New Pitchers.
Among the names viii be noticed
those Of Bert Kelley, the Chicago semi
pro; Lenne Petersen, the Rockford. III,
gigantic wonder; Burnes and Gates.
from the Pacific Coast League; Howard
Wilson, who won nine and lost eleven
games with Milwaukee last year. and
Gehrlng. Five OF these are pitchers re-
ceiving trials for fast company. and
their number shows that CantilIon is
not carping at a little expense in the
matter Of trying 70 pick up a couple
OF finds. IT, sixth n this list is Geh-
ring, who, although tried and making
81 highly favorable impression the latter
part OF last season in washington. has
Yet 10 demonstrate that he can 20 the
full distance of a major league cam
pdign.
Bob Meinke, the Chicago semei-profes-
a -. E-ra
been signed by Canullon for a trial, is
not In the list of the trippers. Instead,
we ind the name of Tony Smith. who
was a fairly good fielding shortstop
with Washington the last month of last
year, but was wOefuHy weak with the
stick. and is probably slated for the
minors. As Smith was brought up al
the way from the Texas League To play
with a major club a temporary setback
10 an American Association team for
another year or so will not hurt him.
Veterans Must Hustle.
CberIin. who vas Obtained from the
Boston Americans toward the end of
the 1907 season, is booked for Galveston,
and Cauti!.on believes that the boy will
make good. He showed earmarks Of
class. and the fact that lie did not set
the world afre in the final series when
the pace was so fast should not count
too strongly against him.
All the old pitchers-VValter Johnson.
Charley smith. Tom Hughes, Case Pat
ten, and Fred FalkenbeTg-wiU be in
our midst again for at least a little
while. and in his communication Can
tillon gave no hint that any OF them
would be disposed of before the season
opened: with the exception of Johnson
and Charley smith there is no certainty
that any of the other veteran twirlers
viii be with us when the leaves be-
gin 70 fail. 1t will be just as necessary
Tor Patten. Hughes. and Falkenberg TO
demonstrate their worth as it will be
for Gates. Burnes. Petersen, Kelley, or
Wilson This would produce earnest
EFFORTS, II not satisfactory results when
the big show begins.
Wilson May Make Good.
Wilson, by the way, was taken 10
Galveston last year and Cantfllon was
convinced that he was the goods. but
the twirler became i'll and in the rush
OF trying to make new team OF
hustlers out Of an old one OF waning
veterans the manager decided he had
no time to fool with sick men. and al
lowed Wilson to go to Milwaukee.
King Bill Kay win be among those
present at Galveston unless he falls
and breaks a leg or has some other
such accident before the time arrives.
The three weeks in Texas and two Of
exhibition games on the road should
do Kay more good IN the way Of learn
ing baseball than any other man in
the squad. He IS a natural hitter. re
markedly fast on the base lines for
a big man. and can Hold onto flies
he happens TO reach. but hts mental
processes are decidedly involved. He
appears willing enough, and constant
and careful coaching on the spring trip
should clear his think tank Of the cob
webs.
Task for CateheTs.
=lankenship's name is missing, so we
presume Cantillon has about abandoned
hope Of getting him in line. Kahoe.
warner. and Street are named as the
catchers who WI accompany the
twelve pitchers. and they should be kept
busy. KaRoe and Warner Will be espe-
cfally in demand TO try out and instruct
the Juvenile slabmen, while Street will
prnbabI be called upon to work with
Tie old pitchers. who know the game.
and only need a competent man 10 do
the receiving while they round into
proper physical condition
should Kahoe and Warner develop one
good. reliable major twirler out Of the
bufTh they will have TO handle. they
will have done well. and the better the