Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-16
BY j. ED GRILLo.

Special Dispatch 10 The Star
ATLANTA, Ga, March 16.-That il is
not going to be an easy matter to get
young ball players out of. the league if
Manager McAleer thinks he can use them
was demonstrated today when the Wash
ington club refused to waive on Black
burn, the Chicago infielder for whom
Comiskey is reported to have paid $4,000
a year ago. The Chicago club asked for
waivers on this player, and McAleer
promptly put his veto on the matter lie
has no particular place to use Blackburn,
even If he should secure him, which is
not likely, but he IS determined not TO let
any good ball players slip through his
hands into the minors.
II don't know as / could use Black
burn. but I believe that he is better
player than he has shown himself to be,
and would just take him on chance.
said McAleer. But 1 don't believe that
Comiskey has any intention of letting him
60. and is simply asking waivers for
bluff
Walter Johnson is to have his first hard
workout today when McAleer will pitch
him the full six innings against the Vets.
Johnson is in shape to go the entire route,
and with matters standing as they do
surprising 10 see him exert himself to-
day.
Kid Elberfeld rejoined the team last
night. and will be in the game today.
Unless there is a change for the better
In the condit. on of Tom Hughes arm he
intends to pay visit to Bonesetter Reese
at YOUNGSTOWN next week. Hughes arm
has been bothering him ever since he re-
ported here. and while his workouts have
not shown that there was anything wrong
with his pitching member. he has suf-
Tered eXcruciating pain every Time he
pitched a ball toward the plate.
Hughes seems to think that one of the
ligaments in his shoulder has jumped out
of place. He had this trouble once be-
fore several years ago and Reese RENE
died L.
Hughes wanted to go to Youngstown
at once, but on advice of Manager Nc
Aleer and Trainer Quirl he has post
poned his trip until next week, and 1t is
the opinion of the former two that by
that time the trouble will have disap--
peared entirely. Hughes is not worried
about his arm. He feels that 1T Will In
course of time come around in good work
ing order, but he does not Ike the pros
poets of having to wait very long. In
the several workouts he has shown all
his old speed and has even resorted to
curving, but while the trouble. whatever
IL may be. does not seem to impair MS
delivery. it causes him pain which it
takes SamenesS TO stand
President Tom Noyes did not start for
home yesterday afternoon, as he hao
intended. Instead he remained over say
ing he would leave late this afternoon.
There was no communication between the
head Of the club and Walter Johnson
both sides saying that If the other
wanted TO confer he would have to take
the initiative. But the fact that President
Moves remained here day longer than
he had intended would indicate that there
ID at least likelihood of the two getting
together.
Every one was led to believe that War
rem Miller had become a greatly improved
ball player during the last year, but IL lie
has he is not showing it in the games be,
ing played daily. In practice he loomeo
up well enough. but in these trial games
he appears slow and at times at sea. Il
- very evident that there Is hardly a
chance for Miller to become MAJOR
Lacquer He lacks ability as well as en-
ergy. and he can no longer be counted as
having a chance to gain a position on
the team. Ccrbin is showing the same
form he has from the outset. he aP
pears to be easily the best OF a poor iol'
but hardly good enough to add strength
TO the Nationals outfield when the real
campaign opens.
Bunting and sprinting practice was
put on for the first time yesterday FoI
nearly an hOur the players Uuitcu OH"
ran to first base at top speed. This prac
tice will be kept on the card regularly
from this out, because 1t iS of the great
est benefit to the players. Not only do
they learn how to lay a ball down, and
that art Is as essential as it is to hit. but
il gives them speed to first base ana
hardens their limbs.
Il will take a whole lot OF these prac-
rice games TO make the Nationals alert
on the bases. In every one OF the games
men have been caught off the bags when
there was no excuse for ii. Mcbride at
short and Street behind the plate are
working all sorts of tricks trying TO
catch men off the bases. and they have
been very successful They nailed Ain
smith yesterday. In the fifth inning he
reached second on his hit and Miller s
tumble but he was not there long. On
the first ball pitched Street signaled for
a pitch-out and whipped the ball to Nc
Bride, who caught Ainsmith five feet
off the bag In the first inning Milan
was caught off his balance at first and
Gray and Lelvelt nailed him. McAleer
is pleased with the way the runners are
being held on for il is good practice for
the defensive team as we'll for the
base runners.
Dave Bunting is hitting the ball hard
and timely. II was his three-bagger,
low line drive to center, which gave the
Colts their victory yesterday. Bunting is
gradually getting over his stiffness, ano