Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-08
NORFOLK LOOKS GOOD
T0MANAGER McA[EER
New Leader Confident Vir-
qinia City Will Be Ideal
Training Ground.


McAleer of the Washington base ball
club returned home yesterday from their
trip TO Norfolk, where they went TO Sc
Iect a spring training ground for the Ma
tionals. Both gentlemen are very much
pleased with their trip and its success,
as they decided on Norfolk for the teams
training ground. The manager of the
Norfolk club took Messrs Noyes and Nc
Aleer in hand and after showing them the
city the trio walked from the center OF
the city to the park, which took about
ten minutes. demonstrating the splendid
location of the grounds.
What caught my eye at once, SAID
Manager McAleer this morning. was the
grass diamond. The grass is now fully
two inches high and should be i'm perfect
condition in the spring.
"AI through the south. at least at all
the training camps I have visited in the
spring, the diamonds are of the skin
ned variety. which was a great handicap
to the players when they came north and
played on the grass. 1t took at least
week for the boys to get used to the
change.
The hotel accommodations at Norfolk
are first-class and on rainy days there
10 a gymnasium We can use right across
the street.
Present Conditions Wrong.
several of my friends are harping
over the fact that We will strike cold
weather, but i have come to the con-
clusion that this training in the south
may be all wrong. Last season l had
the Browns down in Texas, and when
We opened the season in Detroit they
had to shovel the snow off the diamond
so We could play. You can imagine
what condition we were in to play that
day, coming right out of warm, IL
not hot. climate.
Another point that makes Norfolk
look awfully good to me is the fact
that but two degrees in latitude sep
arate 1t from Hot Springs. Ark. Many
players go to Hot Springs in February
and find the weather pleasant enough
TO take outdoor exercise. In addition to
the baths. Although Norfolk is two de-
grees farther north, 1t has the advantage
o. the gulf stream, the experts tell me.
of the guI stream, the experts tell me.
practically makes the temperature the
same. have trained at Hot Springs
In the early spring, and IL We get weather
At Norfolk as good as at that little
Arkansas town there will be no kick
coming from me.
IF the American League season was to
open May ], / might change my ideas
about training and think a more southern
present conditions / am building on hav-
ing my men in such shape that they
can start the real work primed for sun
shine or snow.
Chats What They All Say"
Manager McAleer spent yesterday in
company with President Moves and i'm
big automobile saw everything worth
seeing in the city.
IF am shown much more about this
city," said Mac this morning, lit won't
be hard for me to leave Youngstown.
Washington looks perfect to me. and
think / could pass month here TAX
ing In the sights.
One Of Manager McAleer's stopping
places yesterday was the Metropolitan
Club and many of the members crowded
around him. There are many base ball
fans in the club and three large boxes
at American League Park are reserved
throughout the season for the Metro
politan. The members last evening were
profuse in their well wishes for the sue
cess of McAleer and there were many
prophets who selected the top of the Sec
0nd or a place In the first division for
the Nationals.
MY ambition is to get the Nationals
out of last place" said McAleer to one
old white-haired naval notable. land
then we can set out sails for better
position IN the race"
We'll, you talk like sailor anyway
replied the navy official. land I'd be will
ing to bet a good sum you can turn the
trick
President Noyes Manager McAleer and
representatives of the Hckman-White
Company were in conference at noon
over the selection of uniforms for the
Nationals for next season. Hickman &
White will get the contract for both the
travelling and home uniforms.
Bright Uniforms for Nationals.
NO moro dark hlue mr. hlact, uniforms
for me-" said McAleer to Harry White.
Il want something brighter. say a light
gray with blue trimmings. for the road,
and white with blue trimmings for home.
Those black toys the Nationals wore
last year on the road used to give me
ST. Louis. Well change the uniforms, at
any rate. for luck. and IL may do US
good
Manager McAleer will leave for home
tonight. but will return here in Decem-
her and go TO New York with MessrS
Moves and Minor TO attend the meeting
OF the American League.
There may be nothing doing in the
way of trades. said Mac, out il won't
do any harm to be nosing around, especi-
ally IL there are any plums TO be picked"
The Washington club will probably start
for Norfolk Saturday night. March D.
This will give the boys whole day to
look Norfolk over and be ready for bust
ness Monday morning. Manager McAleer
will reach Washington a week ahead Of
the players and be here to extend the
glad hand to the boys when they drift