The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-12-16
MANAGER GRIFFITH
GETS GUY JOHNSON
FOR LOCAL OUTFIT
Fast Semi-Pro Pitcher
Signs With 1912
Nationals.
LEADER WILL RUSH
PLAYERS IN SPRING
Wants Men in Good Shape
When Opening Bell
Clangs.
BY SENATOR"

Following out his policy of recru,t,np
younger talent for the washington
pitching STAFF, Clark Griffith TODAY
signed Guy johnson, from vandalia.
Ill
While the manager knows practically
nothing OF the pitcher, the tip that he
Is good man came from a personal
friend In the middle West who believes
that johnson has the makings of a
clever slabman.
Johnson has been a free agent, SO It
, will cost the Washington ball club MOTH
Ing to obtain his services. Both as an
q amateur and semi-profesional, john
q son has made good record, and Grit
nth thinks enough Of his friends judg-
sament to take the young man to Char.
SElottesville. johnson Is described as a
s9big Highlander who has done SO well
an the exhibition games that he may
\ prove valuable man to the Nationals
during the championship season.
81 Griffith has not yet received official
notice concerning the request for waiv-
Frs on some Of his players, but he feels
that as long as the ten days have ex-
pired, there will be no holding I'D by
pther magnates.
ito rush the Nationals into shape at the
very beginning of the season, and IL
we can get off to good start, 1 think
the club will be able to prove itself
somewhat Of surprise for the whole
season. When we have been at Char
}ottesville one week. we will make a
proposition to play daily games with
che Virginia team, and from then right
IF ha che DiN =
faeason We will have all the actual work
that can be crowded in This is the
way Clark Griffith outlines his plan
Tor conditioning the Nationals in the
apring.
l In order to be better prepared for the
Il aeavy preliminary schedule. Griffith
sSas decided to give his pitchers an extra
week OF work. 30 all the members Of
she twirling stan will be ordered to re-
fprt at Charlottesville about the list Of
farch. while none Of the other players
& Will be called out until about the 10th
of the month. Griffith has a pretty
good line on the ability Of the older
members of his corps, SO in all of the
early games he is planning to use his
younger talent, Just giving the veterans
er ough work to keep them ready for
Che opening. ...
% Although there are now nine pitchers
son the roster. of the Washington club,
Griffith is still negotiating for more,
and he said today that before he goes
40 the training camp he expects to add
two or three more names to this list.
WHO the men are he will not say, but
INSISTS that he has seen them all in
action. and feels that If he cen put
Through a deal there will be no cause
for worry over the quality of pitching
here next summer.
81 Griffith has vetoed the plan of having
any of the players go to Hot Springs
He believes that couple of weeks at
the Arkansas resort tends to weaken
. man. SO he says that all of the train
ing that the Washington players will
receive will be under mis- personal direc-
ton, at Charlottesville.
Tom Hughes is the first out flown
National to show up. He has leased a
house here, and intends to remain here
until next fall at least. Hughes looks
In excellent condition. and says that he
is only too anxious for the call for
Oractice