The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-15
RED-HOT WORK OUT
Nationals Show Increased
Speed in Their Work.
TEAM TO BE WELL ORGANIZED
Manager McAIeer Intends to Pick
Best Man for Each Position and
Keep Him There-ReEuIars Must
he Counted On for the Steady Work
This sensOn-NOtes Of Team.
SPECIAL to The Washington Herald.

Special 70 The Washington Herald
Norfolk, Va, March IA great day
was this for the Nationals. II was the
most strenuous day that the team has
experienced since practice cOmmenced-a
very satisfactory one-and was also
marked by the fastest work that it has
yet shown here.
The arrival OF Schaefer and others
from Hot Springs was doubtless largely
responsible for the increased speed, but
Improvement was also quite noticeable
in the others. Manager McAleer was
highly pleased with the performance OF
his men.
Asked how the men had acquitted
themselves this afternoon. McAleer re-
piled; Fine; you missed a whole lot #
you didn't see the practice. II was the
best day we have yet had, and, on the
whole. was very satisfactory
It was the first workout performance
OF the Hot Springs men. ard also of
Unglaub They made good their asser-
ton to McAleer on their arrival that
they were in good trim for hard prac-
tice
Regulars Relied On for Most Work.
II Is now more apparent than ever
that McAleer has no colts who can fill
the shoes of his regulars. and any
strengthening Of the team over last year
must be through Improvement in the
playing of the old men, EIberfeld, OF
course. being excepted.
This Improvement, it would seem, can
be reasonably expected under the guild
anee Of MeAIeer The pitching depart
ment appears TO have in IL material for
much better work than it did last year,
and, sustaining this, is the assistance
which Rapp promises to give Street be-
hind the bat Elberfeld. going right
should greatly strengthen the infield.
These things. taken together. could work
wonders in any team, and need to be
taken into consideration by Optimist and
pessimist.
Another point in favor OF this years
Nationals is team organization. Nc
Aleer intends to find the best men for
the positions and keep them there. There
is little likelihood Of the team being the
shifting organization that it was last
year. It is improbable that the first base
man of one day will be playing second
OF third the next.
With an even break Of luck. which
maybe was not the case last year. the
team should win many more games this
year and certainly be a factor in de-
termining the position Of the second divi-
sion teams. AT practice to-day the men
would seem to compare favorably with a
majority of the other big league clubs.
Weather conditions were again ideal for
practice. The park was wet In the morn
ing from Saturdays snow. but in the
afternoon it was in great shape Good
weather promises 10 obtain for some
time
The three days which the men were
idle did them no harm. About all traces
OF soreness disappeared during the rest
and no more very stiff muscles are ex-
pected. Some Of the men think the rest
was beneficial to them.
Are Hitting Ball Hard at Practice.
II is hard to estimate the batting
strength of a team until it faces g good
pitcher in a regular game, and while
there is probably no great number Of 300
hitters among the Nationals. they are
hitting the ball hard in practice and
good percentage OF the hits would go
fair if made in a regular game.
Dr.. Reisling demonstrated on the dia-
mond to-day that he is a good fielder as
we'll as a pitcher.
Several members Of the Norfolk team
of the Virginia State League. which is TO
give the Nationals their first game here.
arrived IN town to-day. They are Pitcher
Slocumb. Right Fielder Mullaney, First
Baseman Chandler. and Third Baseman
Lowell. A dozen other members Of the
Norfolk squad viii be here tomorrow.
The Nationals and NorfoIks viii play
Saturday.
Norfolk viii practice at the park dur
ing the midday. while the Nationals con-
tinue to use It morning and afternoon.