The Washington times., 1909-11-04

Manager James McAleer, Of the
Washington baseball team, reached
Washington this morning. put up at
the Raleigh and had a conference with
President Noyes, of the club. concern
ing the plans for next season.
Here is the substance of what he has
determined so far:
That the team viii not finish last.
This has been definitely decided upon.
How much higher deponent sayeth not.
Maybe the first division, for you never
can tell There were the Boston Red
Sox and the Philadelphia Athletics,
unanimously picked for the second d.
vision last year, etc. etc. etc, etc.
He win not dispose of any of the
Washington players until he has seen
them in action.
He viii take the team to a Southern
training ground about March 6.
Exhibition Games At Home.
The training camp will probably be
between the Virginia-North Carolina
line and the Georgia Florida line.
The team will remain at its camp
until about a week or ten days before
the opening of the season.
Most. if not all, Of the regular ex-
hibition games viii be played right
here in Washington, probably with
Eastern or Virginia League clubs.
The long, barn storming, money
making spring trip win thus be
abandoned.
No player will be allowed to work
out in a game until the manager is
absolutely sure that his muscles are
in condition. There viii be no more
reaching q training camp on Friday
and playing a game on Sunday, no
matter what the money inducements.
Trials For Rapp and Conroy.
Bill Rapp Will be given a thorough
trial.
Dixie Walker will be nourished and
cherished all next season If he does
not win a game
Wild Conroy viii be given every
chance, for McAleer esteems him
highly, and attributes Conroy's poor
success last season 10 lack OF con-
dition, which is right.
Pitcher eForman viii not De turned
loose, for McAleer was much imp .essed
by his work against the Browns.
McAleer thinks Groom has the max
ing OF an unusually high-class pitcher
and viii learn control.
Gray's status Is somewhat uncertain
because McAleer, strangely enough,
never saw him work
Walter Johnson win not be allowed
TO throw his arm on IN the early stages
this season, and viii be kept under
blankets until he is ready beyond all
peradventure Of a doubt.
Lelivelt is regarded as a valuable as
set and McAleer thinks he viii improve
steadily in fielding.
This is the most baseball news from
a manager Washington has received in
the off-season for the past FIVE years
and McAleer should be encouraged in
the good work.
Likes the Prospect.
Celebrating upon some of the points
in his discourse the manager spoke
substantially as follows, thereby giving
a perfect imitation OF Commissioner +
Macfarland and proving he had already
acquired local color;
Washington has a good nucleus for a
better club than Il has had for some
own mind, and that is that the club will
not finish last in 1910 Baseball Is full
OF uncertainties, as was illustrated by
the finishes. Of the Athletics and Boston
last season. and I believe that Wash
ington viii have a chance TO make a
similar squirt.
Washington sprung one on the St
Louis team last season that made me
He had as much speed as any yOungster
/ have seen for years, and with il he
had about everything else a pitcher
needs. he was cool as a cucumber in (
the box. and you would never have
known that he was merely a cub in
process Of being tried out
Impressed BY Walker.
He looks the goods TO me. and with /
him. Johnson, and Groom Washington I
has a start on a pitching staff that
should make big noise. Groom IS said !
TO be wild. but he was steady enough /
agai inst St Louis, and I ike him. He
took part in three games against St I
Louis I'm three successive days on one
Western trip, and the more 1 saw Of
him the more I was impressed
Il hear all sorts OF good reports about
Bill Rapp, and he win be carefully look
ed over in the South. OF course, / am
banking on Street as a regular back
stop, and believe he will start the sea
son in better shape than last year, In