The Washington herald., 1911-12-30
Er1geI to Work out
= With the Nationals
Local Boy Will Be Gipen Chance by Clark Crit
fifth to Go to CharIottespiAe-GriH
Strong for Amateurs.
By c. w. SWAN.

Joe Engel, the local lad who made such
a great record on the diamond last sea-
son, will go to Charlottesville with the
Nationals next spring and try out for
the team. This was announced by Man
Rger Grifith late yesterday afternoon.
Joe's decision to try out for the big
league club was made yesterday, and
will be a source of great qualification to
his many friends in the District.
For the past three years Joe has been
a student at Mount st. Mary's College,
Emmitsburg, Md, where he has made
an enviable record in all branches Of
sport. In baseball he led the team to
many victories through his air-tight
twirling, and on the football field filed
the position OF full back to the entire
satisfaction of Coach Mike Thompson.
More than six feet tall, this eighteen
year-old youngster, product of the local
sand lots, where he started his baseball
career, has the build and nerve to make
a most valuable man to the Nationals.
While at Mount st. Mary's, in addition
10 being a member of the baseball and
football squads, he was also a shining
light on the basketball five and mem
ber Of the track team.
When EngeI went away to college three
years ago it was not thought that he
would create a furor in athletics at
Mount st. Mary's that he has. owing to
his size. At that time no one would
have thought that he was destined to
be the shining light around whom the
constructed, but in the natural course
Of development he sprang into a six
footer and took on weight, which was
all that was needed to give him his
opportunity to star in the athletic world,
as natural ability had always been his
Joe started his career in the amateur
league with the Congressonals, when the
Independence League was organized, in
1907, and was known by the followers Of
the circuit as the baby of the league,
many wondering how a youngster so
small as he could make a place on the
team. But the ability was there, as he
proved then and later, and should some
Of those who saw hin. IN those days
confront him to-day he would not be
recognized, so remarkable has been his
growth.
It is not thought that Joe will prove to
he a world beater in his first try at the
big show, but it is the opinion of the
writer that. with a little weight and ex-
perence, Joe Will be a pitcher who can
hold his own with the best in the big
league.
Pitching for the Cornell Tigers at the
tail end of last season, Joe held the
Lynchburg Virginia League team to two
hits, after twirling a six-hit game the
day before with the Gaithersburg nine.
Lynchburg beat Joe, but it was only by
a wild pitch.
Griff will give Joe all the chance in
the world to make good, and the young
ster Will give a good account of himself
pitching against the big leaguers at
Charlottesville next spring.
Manager Griffith is strong for the anna
teurs, and that he is able to hold up his
end at any meeting or conference of the
amateur officials was made known yes.
terday, when it was learned that Griff
organized the largest amateur associa-
ton in the world way back in 1903. In
Chicago, with AL Tearney, Grifr started
the Amateur Managers Association,
composed OF more than 800 ball teams,
all under this one head.
When the commission holds its first
meeting January Is, Clark Griffith will
be on hand with all the data Of the Chi
cago commission, which will prove to be
a big help to the local body. President
Bob Young is greatly pleased to know
that Manager Griffith has taken so much
interest in the local boys, and that it will
be appreciated goes without saying.
When the reply to Griff's letter to
President Tearney, Of the Chicago Asso-
citation, is received, it will be published
In The Washington Herald.