The Washington herald., 1911-03-28
RACTICE OF NATIONALS
HALTED BY HEAVY RAINS
iseba Takes Back Seat and Players Line Up for Foot
ball Game-Former College Stars Show
Their PrOWeSS.
By WILLIAM PEET.

.tianta, Ga, March 27.-lt was football
.ctice instead of baseball for the Ma
mails at Ponce de Leon Park this morn
on account of the soft condition of
fnfield due to recent heavy rains.
liter the pitchers had worked out for
If an hour and were rubbed down.
liner Joe Quirk appeared on the field
In a football and for a solid hour the
EonaIs kicked the pigskin around the
tfeld. where the footing was good.
lcticed quick starts under the direction
Kid ElberfeId. and passed the ball in
revolving circle until they were ready
drop.
poe Gessler, Dave bunting, Andy
,efe. and John Somerlott are former
llege stars. and just before it was
be to go in they organized team and
red up and down the field. running
Tough original signals. with Germany
haefer at quarter back. and maYb" the
ltchrnan DIDN'T handle the ball in
:e college style. GeSsler selected the
I'm with John SomerlOtt center, Gun
ngham and Conway guards, Gessler and
rain tackles, Keefe and Miller ends
lntine, Ainsmith. and John Henry in
hack field. The rush line of this
am averaged 1872 pounds, while the
TX field would easily reach Ia
for the first time in three weeks. the
rs missed day OF practice which
eaks highly of the climate down here
Atlanta. The football part of the pro-
ammo as arranged by Trainer Qui-h
me as a delightful change from the
lily baseball grind. and there is no
nit that tho boys were greatly ben
ted
Dixie Walker Back.
Dixie Walker did not get back from
homo in Birmingham until tO-niSh;,
ID McAlecr allowed Kid Elbcrfeld
Jorge Mcbride. and Clyde Milan to lay
best possible shape. and do not need
Z practice as much as the others.
Bill Cunningham started out i'll rea!
NEST to take off his weight. and work
harder than any other member Of III"
md. There is little doubt that n"
ok off several pounds. but he is not
pinE near a pair OF scales until onH
rex has pass d.
Manager MCAleer is quick to notice
>od work by one of has players. and
ankIy goes 10 tho man and tells him so.
MS morning. for instance. the warm
Father caused Roh Groom TO cut loose
ID show NOR" speed tan he has done
any time since the club has been here.
cAle0r patted Bob on the back when
"-as all over and said TO him: 1T
Dks as if you were going to win a lot
. games for me this year. Bob to
nich Groom replied: I'm going TO trv
I'D. Jim, any way; can't do more than
ct"
Billy Hamilton. the Boston Nationals
out, who is stilI in Atlanta. had a long
Cr"t COnlah with Manager McAleer this
orninE. and later the two walked over
the telegraph office and sent off half
dozen messages. The report leaked out
at Hamilton was trying to place some
the Nationals young outficlders in
New England League Manager Jim
IS asked about this and replied: When
let any OF those boys out l viii tell
-. Until that time l have nothing to
-
Stories Worry RaIston.
Doc Sam Ralston is greatly disturbed
out the stories printed in Washington,
d also in Atlanta, to the effect that he
to be turned back to Akron or left
'wn here when the club goes back to
e Capital He Sthtes emphaticaHy to-
sht that he would refuse absolutely TO
either. Unless he played in the Amer
IN League he declares he will go back
his home and resume his practice Of
htis1ry. RalstOn seems to be in deadly
fDcSt, and it may be another case of
lOc' ReiSling.