Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-01
BY J. ED GRILLo.

II believe that the Nationals are going
TO play so per cent better ball. now that
they have an up-to-date ball park" re-
marked Ban Johnson during yesterdays
game Heretofore the players never
considered themselves in the same league
because Of their surroundings. but now 1t
is different, and l look for the team TO
make a much improved showing"
There is perhaps no doubt that environ
ments have much TO do with a ball team
and President Johnson's prediction is
well based. It must have had an effect
on the players to see the modern plants
In other cities and then come home and
play in a worse than minor league park.
Ball players are but human and these
little things affect them. There is no
doubt that the players take pride in their
surroundings. now that they are UP to
the major league standard. II is but nat
ural, then. that their playing should be of
q higher caliber. In the games against
Cleveland McAleer's men have shown
splendid form. The pitching has been
good and the hitting timely. The Maps
have really been outclassed in the series
and Ban Johnson attributes 1t to the eff
feet the new ball park has had on the To-
cal players.
Cashion, the Greenville pitching recruit,
made his first appearance in a Wash
ington uniform yesterday The youngster
has splendid physique, and in warming
up showed a lot of stuff. He will be
nursed along for a week or so before
he is put in a game.
Ray Morgan wired Manager McAlee-
that he would report here Wednesday.
It seems that he has had some trouble
with a bad tooth, which he is having
fixed before reporting here.
1t is not going to be an easy matter
to find a youngster who can take Doc
Gessler's place if the doctor keeps up
the pace he has set this season. Gessler
has been consistent hitter this year.
In this respect he has been as good as
ever in his career, and many of the
runs which the team has scored this
season have been made possible by his
hitting. Yesterday he had a particularly
good day with the bat, getting three dou-
bles in succession and a walk the last
time up.
1t was fortunate for James that John
sons line drive struck him in the Shout
der instead of the head, or there might
have been a fatality. The ball was hit
so hard that James did not have time
TO throw up his hands to protect HIM
self. 1t travelled like a bullet and the
blow was so painful that the big pitcher
went down in a heap with pain. 1t is
understood that the lieaments in his arm
are badly lacerated, and it is doubtful
II he will ever be able to pitch again.
james was sent home last night and
will be placed in care Of a Cleveland
surgeon in the hope of restoring his
pitching arm.
EloeTfeld was quick to see that James
was taking long wind-up when he
was on third base, and, getting a good
lead. he stole home. He made it easily.
Being particularly anxious to make it
four straight from the Maps, Manager
McAleer has decided to send Tom Hughes
back today. Hughes has displayed such
good form in his last two games that
MoAleer considers him sure winner,
sven though he be opposed by Gregg. who
leads the American League pitchers
Tomorrow a double-header will be
staged with the White Sox, the first game
being called at > o'clock. Buck Becker
S slated to pitch the first game.
Walter Johnson pitched a well calcu-
lated game of ball. He exerted
himself only in pinches and then
he could not be hit. He found himself
several holes, but on such occasions
always had something in reserve with