The Washington times., 1912-03-27
President Walker Offers His
Plant to Manager
Griffith.
LIlGGERS HAVE YET
TO BEGIN BIFFING
a Team Looks Light With
"A Stick in Early
n. y Work,
By SENATOR"

place LOT the NauonalS next year, II
President Walker, of the Charlotte club
of the Carolina Associa tion,' has his
way. He has offered the use of his
park and clubhouse to Manager Grit
nth for 1918, lauding the plant to the
skies. However, it is doubtful il Grit
nth will go anywhere else but Char
lottesville next season. He likes the
Virginia town, and believes he can re-
turn He has but to conclude lease
or the training quarters used this year,
and he thinks he will come to an
agreement as to that.
However, in the event that Manager
Griffith is unable to lease the house
Charlotte becomes a formidable appli-
cant for the appearance of the Ma
tionals. The park is one of the best
minor league plants in the country,
and the players would be able to con-
dition themselves under the best con-
ditons.
John Camel, manager of the Roches-
ter club of the International League,
wants the Nationals to share Enniston,
Ala, with his club. Offers have been
rendered to Griffith from Fayetteville
and Raleigh, N. c., but the leader of
the local team will not act hastily in
The Nationals, with the exception of
Eddie Gagnier, were at the Florida
avenue park this morning for batting
practice. They found the infield soft
and spongy, and it will evidently need
more time before rounding to. However,
by the time the season opens here,
April Is, it should be perfect.
Had Disappointment.
The Nationals had an evening of dis
appointments before arriving in the
Land Of Nod. this fair city. The game
with the University of Virginia boys
did not finish until nearly o'clock,
and no time was lost in getting to the
dinner table. The food was made to
disappear as by magic and the whole
, band of youngsters, feverish to get
away from the red clay Of Virginia ari
the monotonous grind of the TRAINING
stunts, were loafing about the porch
of Griffith Hall. waiting for the order
to leave for the station.
A telephone call from the railroad
station informed Manager Griffith that
the train, instead of leaving at III
would get under way at $50. No. it was
not welcome news to the players They
said little, but their jaws dropped sew.
eral feet, for Washington loorled ND in
the distance as the Promised Land. BY
and by, the suite cases were carried
eff and The athletes began to stroll
down 20 the station. where their srecia
car awaited them. All were in their
seats at $50. but no train came along.
Nine o'clock came along and care
and checker games were booming, but
stu no train was IN sight. Finally, al
s.i5 the, train showed up. not the one
originally meant for the Nationals
special car, hut a later one, and at 9:3t
the wheels began 70 roll toward Wash
After Midnight.
1t was shortly after 1880 when the
long train pulled INTO the Union sta
ton. Several friends of Tom Hughes
Buck" Becker. and Joe Engel, the
trio OF local residents. were on hand
With CHEEKY welcomes. and Manager
Griffith, laden with his own speCia
leather bag, in which ne carries The
balls and gold bonds belonging to the
club, proceeded through the gates t,
the plaza. There they embarked ir
taxicabs for their hotels. The players
nre divided between the Dewey and the
Ebbitt, where they will be lat home
10 their friends from now on.
From a purely physical viewpoint the
Nationals have derived much good from
their sojourn at Charlottesville. Buck
Becker tore loose yesterday in prac
tice and displayed no signs of having
n lame wing. He was the last pitcher
10 round to, and Manager Griffith /!
much pleased with the condition of hii
twirling staff Joe Boehling is limpins
Slightly, the result of turning his ankl,
in Fayerweather gymnasium Saturda!
morning.
Eddie Foster the midget third base
man, has not begun to cut loose vet
yet he has been getting his men at frs
with regularity. Flynns arm is hi
weak, but growing stronger every day
Schaefer and Milan can peg to the plat
now and get the fastest runners in tn
business. Moeller, the Rochester re
cruit, is going ahead slowly. refusing
to use his whip until the weather /
warmer.
Weak At Bat.
Only at the bat does the team lool
weak. The best hitters of last gear
SchaefeP and Milan, have yet to ge
started with the willow. Schaefer go
three hits yesterday, the best ne ha
done since he reported Moeller, thougl
making a very good showing. hasn'
begun to hit as hard as he can. Gun
ningham Is having far better luck tina
ne did last year. Foster is doing fai
work, and so are Mcbride and Flynn
But as a whole, the team has had it
troubles with the Virginia college pitch
ers, and have been almost helples
against Dixie Walker, Walter johnson
Tom Hughes, and Carl Cashion.
1--WE seen lot of ball teams" sal
Manager Griffith today, land I've see
many come back from training trips /
worse condition than my club this yea
II they can only begin hitting, We
have a chance to do something. b.
right now. the boys haven't displa5e
any propensity to whale the daylight
out OF any pitcher. That's what's Wi
trying ma"