Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-12
GRILLO ENTHUSES OVER JOHN
HENRY'S FIRST BASE PLAYING
Claims the Youngster Has the Making of
the Cleverest Initial Sack Guardian
in the American League.

twirlers is In fairly good shape. it is go
ing to be no easy matter for the vets to
win majority of these games.
The one thing that seems to be lacking
more than anything else on the Wash
real fast men in the list-Milan and
Schaefer. There are others who are
fairly fast, but not fast enough to be OF
particular value to the team because OF
Schaefer. though he has been in harness
some years. can tear down that first
base line about as we'll as some Of the
fastest men in the league. The fact that
he has changed from a right-handed
to left-handed hitter helps him con-
siderably in this, because he virtually
swings himself into his stride. Milan,
OF course, may be little faster than
Schaefer, but the difference is not great.
When you are through with this pair
there Is little to choose from for speed.
Henry is remarkably fast man for his
size. and Cunningham is not slow, but
there are no real speed marvels, and a
team that lacks such material Is undoubt-
eddy handicapped.
X x x
In the games next week there will be
good chance to make comparison of the
first base play OF Lelivelt and Henry.
This pair will oppose each other in every
game and it goes without saying that
both will hustle their best to Guido the
other.
While Henry is showing up remarkably
we'll 1t remains to be seen If he will be
able to get the place away from Lelivelt.
1t is largely a matter Of who does the
best hitting. Lelivelt Is established as a
good batter, and Henry still has to show,
but there is no doubt that he Will dis
play most remarkable improvement in
this respect this year, as we'll as in every
other.
Dave Bunting was in no condition to
do himself justice In todays game. Like
most youngsters, he overdid himself the
first day the team got out on the field
when he threw his hardest and was ell
over the field. The result Is that he has
stiffened up considerably. and now finds
1t a hard matter to get the ball across
the diamond. Nevertheless, he puts up
a good game and his errors were more
or less excusable. He hit the ball hard,
too, but could not get 1t safe. The only
time he got on he stole second and he
proved himself rather clever and fast
in this respect.
During practice this morning Walter
Johnson was pitching to the hatters. For
the first time since he has been here he
let his arm out a few links. with the
result that the ball was going over the
plate with lightning rapidity, and there
players, who found Johnson hard to
hit, cautioned McAleer that johnson
ought not TO be allowed to pitch SO hard
he might hurt his arm. So McAleer
called to johnson to slow down. but
Johnson informed the manager that he
was ready to pitch a ball game, and that
he needed about fifteen minutes OF work
| ct top speed to put him on edge. He
was allowed to do as he wished, and
there was nothing but a few balls popped
up while he was on the rubber.
The reason have not allowed the
pitchers to take any batting practice is
that I am anxious to haze the other
members OF the team get all they can of
that now" said Manager McAleer this
morning. But just about a week be-
fore the season opens I shall let the
pitchers do lot OF hitting. and that
that the average pitcher does not want
to practice hitting against good pitch
ing, fearing that he might get hit on
the arm and be permanently injured"
To see George Mcbride in the snr,np
games would never impress one with
the fact that he Is rated among the
greatest shortstops in the country
This because Mcbride never plays I'D
to his standard until the season is on
and when he is on hard, fast grounds.
1t has been so every spring since he
Joined the team. Last spring, It will
be remembered. Mao did not get going
until the season was several weeks old.
and some OF the fans wanted him re-
| leased because Of hts poor work in the
early games. Mcbride Is q player who
must train himself. He knows what ne
! Continued on Second Page)