Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-17
BY ]. ED aR11Lo.

Srccial DisPstch TO The Star.
ATLANTA, ia. ;. Marci, 11-Signal prac-
ticc. the first OF the training season. was
In vogue at Ponce de Leon T'ark for the
hTst time Yesterday. Only the players
who were on the team last year took part
in it, the youngsters filing the field posi-
tons. II is evident that McAleer pro-
poses to inausuratc a more complete and
thorough code than has been used by the
Nationals in recent years. 1t is not his
intention, however. to do the wire pulling.
His system is to have the players signal
each other. In other words, the Ma
tionas will not he a one-man team.
Players will be allowed to think for
themselves. and by means of signals com
municate their intentions from one to an
other Usually the batter will give the
signal to the base runner. either telling
him that the hit and run play is to be
tried, or to steal. that he intends to bunt
Only signals to be used in offensive way
were rracticcd on yesterday. and later on
code to be used defensivclv will he
given trial. McAlcer is particularly
anxious TO have every man on his team
understand his signals. Signals between
the players are not ali alike. Every pair
following each other in the batting order
will have an entirely different set.
The signals worked well considering
that it Was the first time they We're nsed
this year, but there is still room for much
improvement, which is TO come before the
training season is over.
President Tom Moves left here, late
yesterday afternoon without having sue.
ceeded in signing Walter Johnson. In
fact the head of the club and the pitcher
have not had chat since last Monday.
so that the matter stands just as it has
right along. President Moves intimated
that nothing would he done in the matter
now until the team reached Washington.
when he will again have chat with
Johnson. In the meantime. Manager Nc
Alecr is expected to give some fatherly
advice and. Of course. be ready to sign
Johnson If he will accept the clubs terms
Johnson had nothing to say. He is by
no means disgruntled or dissatisfied He
is better natured than any player in tho
camp. and does all he is asked and more
too. His answers to queries as to
whether he intends to sign or talk to the
club officials are always to the effect that
1t is up to the club to act and that he
will not run after them. So the chances
are that the entire matter will not be
touched upon again until the team re-
turns home two weeks from TO-DAY
Johnson took fully a half-hour work
out yesterday morning. 1t was a cold
clustering day, but that did not prevent
the big fellow from using his steam. 1t
was too cold to play game, SO that
Manager McAleer had the regulars line
up against Johnson. with Street catching,
and went through signal practice
Johnson was in fine form and he worked
harder than all the pitchers put together.
He Is not Sinking. but is working harder
than ever to get himself into perfect fit
The fact that he has not signed is not
noticeable in his work. as is often the
case with players who are having dis
agreement with their club.
Tomorrow the Nationals will tackle the
Atlanta team. McAleer intends to pitch
Johnson and Gray against the Southern
Leaguers, and if the day is nice and
warm big crowd can be expected. as
the local team has lots Of new men on
it which have not yet been seen in action
here.
Elberfeld is physical marvel. Though