Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-18
By ]. ED aRuLo.

Though "Dixie" Walker went in train
ing early in February, when he reported
at Hot Springs, and has been constantly
working every since. he appears to be
far from condition. His effort to pitch
against New York yesterday was painful.
Walker had no speed and his judgment
was also sadly lacking. growing the ball
on several occasions when it should have
been kept away from the batsman.
When Walker reported here In the fs'i
Of 1909 there was no better looking pitch
er. He had lots Of speed, good curves and
perfect control, giving but one base on
balls in four games. and that on purpose.
But since then Walker has been steadily
on the down grade. He pitched fairly
good ball last season and it was believed
that this year he would regain his old
form. Instead, he appears to be unable
to go more than an inning or SO. Yes
terday he did not have enough to put a
dent in charlotte russo. On the occa-
sion Of his other appearance. when ne
finished the opening game for Dolly Gray.
he got away by the skin of his teeth.
being wild and ineffective. Walker ap-
parently is in good health, but he Is not
showing near the form he did In the
south. and no one seems able to give a
reason for his poor showing:
That first game with New York proved
that Jim McAleer has a most valuable
pitcher in Bill Otey. Considering that 1t
was his first game he really. performed
brilliantly, and with little luck he would
have won his game. Otey had surprising
ly good control. but seemed to let down a
trifie in the final inning, when the Wis
ftors scored three runs. And yet the hits
made of him in this inning was lucky.
knight hit ball two feet over his head
for a single, and Cree picked one Of
the ground for a base hit. Otey made a
very favorable impression. There is no
doubt about his having something on the
ball, and the next time out he should be
a hard man to beat.
Jack warhop and his jerky delivery hal
caused the Nationals a lot OF trouble in
the last few years. But once or twice
have the locals beaten the little pitcher.
His underhand delivery seems to battle
the average batsman. Had Ables been al
lowed to stay in the game yesterday
there would probably have bee - ques-
ton about the Nationals winning. but
when he started to go poorly Chase had
Warlop ready and put him In.
Clyde Milan played another marvellous
game in the field. His catch Of Cree's
short fly In right center in the opening
inning was one Of the best catches ever
seen on the local lot. The ball would
have fallen safely and probably been good
for two bases with any fielder but Milan.
after It. Zeb covered a remarkable
amount OF ground after the ball,
but could not have reached 1t had he
not slid the last ten feet, and then he
barely reached 1t before 1t struck the
ground. There were two men on at the
time and two out. There were several
other clever catches by the Nationals
star, but the one In the first inning had
1t on the others.
With every game the weakness OF the
Nationals outfield becomes more appar.
ent Milan's running mates are SO Tar
behind him in ability that there is really
no comparison. Extensively and defen-
sively left and right field are unsatisfac-
torily covered. That outfield is q great
handicap for the rest Of the team to
carry. Manager McAleer will continue to