Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-14
Johnson STILL ON THE FENCE.
REFUSES TO SIGN CONTRACT
Walter Reported as Wanting 81 500 In
crease to $500, and More
Next Season.

days. In fact. it is doubtful il the De-
troit club would waive on Ralston should
McAleer want to let him out. Jennings,
on the advice of several of his scouts.
has been anxious to get Ralston, and
he would probably not overlook an OPP
/ portunity to pick him up for the waiver
has his faults, but there is no doubt
that he VIII develop into a hitter. and
/ that one of the long variety. 1t might
be policy to give him chance to show
twirlers this spring before deciding to
let him get away from the club.
| Ralston's hitting yesterday was one OF
the features. He struck out the first
third inning he got clean single. and
! in the fifth. with the bases full, he hit
terrific line drive to left center, clear
| ing the bases and scoring himself. 1t
where where the field was large enough
to allow the ball to roll far enough. Gray
was pitching at top speed against Raj
ston, that there was nothing f1ukey
about the drive
Bill Otey cut loose during the three
innings he worked, and he did well. The
considerable help to the Nationals pitch
| ing staff this year. He is showing good
speed and has a most deceptive curve
/ ball.
Wild Conroy gets lonser lead off Of
! first base than any man in the American
| League, according to the players who
| have been in that company for some
| years. Conroy Is not a particularly speedy
runner. yet he is seldom caught mapping.
notwithstanding that he stands farther
away from the bag than do most players.
He has the knack Of knowing when the
pitcher is going to throw to first, and
this fact makes him a good base runner
He stole twice on Street yesterday, but
Charley's arm is not strong yet, and he
! is not throwing as he will a little later
| in the spring.
! There were two unsuccessful attempts
made to steal on Ainsmith. Milan tried
| it and was thrown out ten feet. and
/ later RalstOn took chance, and the ball
was there waiting for him. Henry. how
ever. managed to purloin a base because
Of good slide he made, by which he
avoided the fielder. Henry, by the way.
is practicing the fall-away slide, and he
is getting 1t down to perfection. The big
youngster is fast. and when he learns to
avoid being touched by means of this
slide he is going to become somewhat of
a base runner.
There was nothing particularly bril-
liant about the playing Of the first
game. AS was to be expected. there
! were a lot OF weird throws, such as
players are sure to make when their
arms are not yet strong and they are
! in a hurry to get the ball away. Both
| Lelivelt and Henry had to do some
tall stretching and several times the ball
got past them. There is whole lot OF
difference between fielding in practice
and in a game. The game forces the
| fielders to hustle with the ball. and this
/ is a strain on the arm. AS the weeks
whole lot. The pitchers are going fairly
we'll, though they do not show the best
form until they have gone few innings
! and become thoroughly warmed up.
| There was little to choose between Leli-
welt and Henry's first base play in that
! first struggle. Both filled the position
! fairly we'll and their batting was about
equal with Lelivelt having the shade
Henry got one hit and walked once out
OF three times up. while Lelivelt got a
single and a triple in four trips to the
plate. Henry appears to be the best
fielder in the position. but 1t IL OF course
doubtful II he will be able to hit with his
rival the first year in fast company. But
first base is the least of McAleer's worry.
as he seems to be we'll fortified with
men to fill this position.
Kid Ainsmith handled Walter John
sons delivery with ease and grace. The
Iyoungster has no fears for the terrific
speed Of the Nationals star twtrler and,
in fact, says he would rather catch john
son than any Of the other pitchers Its
no trouble catching Johnson" said he.
walter is very fast that Is true. but the
ball Is light as feather and he Is usual
ly very true. find II easy to catch him
because when he is on the rubber the
Icatcher has to be wide awake and IL keeps
one full Of ginger to work behind him.
No. do not use q heavier glove for
Johnson than for the other pitchers, for
as I say his fastest ball comes to me as
light as any / ever caught"
Doc Gessler had a lot Of fun at Gabby
Streets expense as a result Of his steal
ing two bases on Street in yesterdays
game. Gessler. who IS gradually getting
much lighter than he has ever been since
| joining the team. promises to be in bet
ter condition this year than ever before.
, II ever q player was trying hard to come
back 1t is Doc. He wants to make good
with a vengeance this year. and he Is
! one OF the hardest workers in the squad.
President Tom Noyes was very much
| impressed with the excellent condition
|. most of the players are in after but q
single weeks practice. The head Of the
Washington club Sat on the bench dur
| ing the game and seemed to enjoy 1t.
having had a craving to see q game for
several days. He will remain here until
Wednesday afternoon, when he will re-
} turn to Washington. In the meantime
he is to have q conference with johnson
and Milan regarding their terms.
Mike Kahoe umpired ths balls and