Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-02
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Morning practice, meetings at which
plans can be discussed and other up-to-
date methods which were not in vogue
here during the past two years will be
inaug1irated during the Griffith regime.
Having young ball players sleeping until
noon is not calculated to inspire them
with the right kind of spirit, SO far as
their work is concerned, nor does such
practice tend to develop them into major
League ball players. There We're some
sleeping records broken by members OF
the local team during the past season.
There being no rule compelling them to
report at the park at 10 O'Clock in the
morning, the young set among the ath-
letes pounded their ears until they barely
had time enough to reach the ball park
for the game.
There usually was no awakening until
the game was over, and while this mode
of living was productive of good appe-
tites and sound rest. it did not have a
beneficial effect on the team.
Theren be no sleeping under Griffith.
at least not more than the regulation
eight hours. Incidentally, there'll be
meetings tor the players to attend. at
which their work can he 1nteillgently
discussed and plans made for the future.
OF course. this change of system may
not put the Nationals a notch higher IN
the race. but it will look as II real
effort were being made.
The very fact that the team finished
seventh last season. without ever being
forced to follow up-tO-date methods. gives
promise for the future FOR whlle Grifltn
may have his failings, there is one thing
in his favor-he is hard worker ana
everybody under him will nave to follow
his pace. With proper instructions and
plenty of practice some of the youngsters
on the local clubs list may show marked
improvement. They surely stand better
chance of advancing with work than by
sitting on the bench.
There is but remote chance of Crit
fifth making any trades this winter. In
the first place. Griff has had all sorts OF
poor luck in making, swaps heretofore,
and he is sure to go slow in such mat
ters i'm the future. What Is more, he Will
not consider himself well enough posted
with local conditions to take any chances
with trades or deals. He has been out
of this league for nearly three years, and
many changes in the value of players
with whom he was familiar have taken
place G,iff will want to get line on
his players before lie will arrive at any
conclusions. There was q time some years
ago when some profitable trades We're
pulled off, but of late years few of them
have been successful Good ball players
are too scarce for any club TO want to
send them elsewhere or take gambler S
chance in such matters.
Having a three-year contract, Griffith
will go along with what he has on hand
for while and wait until he determines
just what he needs to improve his team.
Judged on the absence of fatalities and
serious injuries on the gridiron this fall.
it would seem that the new rules have
eliminated much of the danger which
formerly was encountered by those play
ing the game. Nor has the game suf-
fered by reason of these changes, though
for time it was hard to reconcile those
who feared that the reduction of the ele-
ment of danger might kill the sport.
In another year the old game will be
forgotten and spectators and players
alike will have become accustomed to the
present rules The present system of
play promises TO become even more pop
ular than were the old rules which en-
dangered lives.
New managers will be plentiful in the
American League next season. Six
teams will be in charge of new leaders,
and Mack and Jennings appear to be the
only ones to hold over Wallace is not
apt to be continued at st. Louis, Duffy
has been supplanted by Callahan at Chi
cago, while Davis has taken StOvalI 5
place at Cleveland. In the east Griffith
has stepped into McAleer's shoes here in
Washington, while Donovan's successor
at Boston has not yet been definitely
chosen. Chase's future hangs in the
balance Owner Farrell wants to make
a change, but he has not yet found the
man he wants to take Chases place.
dig up a new manager. Most of the