The Washington herald., 1912-03-08
NATIONALS TAKE
TO FIELD TO-DAY
First Outdoor Practice Prom
ised for Charlottes-
vile Recruits.
GOSSIP OF THE CAMP
BY c. w. SWAN.

CharlotteSvtlle, va, harch 6.-for the
first time during the training trip the
advance squad OF the Nationals will work
out in the open, for Manager Griffith
stated here tonight that he would have
the boys out on Lambeth Field at 1890
o'clock tomorrow morning.
Starting at 8 o'clock to-day a squad OF
workmen under Umpire RIgler cleaned
the snow OF the diamond and as the
sun came out strong at noontime, the
field will be ready for the ball tossers
unless something Unforeseen happens.
While the work indoors helped the
boys TO no small degree, Il Is the prac-
tice under the old sky the lads need and
they all promise to show something to-
morrow morning. Musssr and Buck
Becker have been aching for the outdoor
work more than any OF the others. and
the lengthy finger from the port side is
ready to show Grin that Doc White has
nothing on him.
The Nationals had a hard day OF II.
working twice in the gym under the
eyes OF Boss Griff and Mike Martin, and
the soreness that caused many OF them to
toss and pitch last night Is not now In
evidence, although several are still COM
planning about their legs, blaming the
stiffness to the hard wood track.
IN Ilc morning lne pnCneIs WoTheo
good and hard. hardly one having the
slightest rest, while in the afternoon the
practice consisted mostly OF fielding bunts,
and Griff Is a stickIer for having pitch
crs who can field their positions.
Jerry Akers, the big hurler from
Illinois. looked mighty sweet this after
noon, as he was shooting the old pill to
~,
was also breezing 'em over the way he
did when the Washington sand-lotter
broke into the big show. holding the
White SoX to three hits and one measly
tally. Akers is a big husky chap capable
OF standing a great deal OF work, and
Manager Griffith Is taking pains to de-
velop this lad.
Another youngster who received a little
coaching from Griffith this morning was
Joe Engel, the other Washington pitcher
with the club. Engel has a delivery that
is beyond criticism, now that Boss Grif-
fifth has explained q few fine points to
him, and under this able instructor Joe
promises TO blossom out into a real big
circuit box artist.
Although pressed hard by collegian John
Henry and "Hawkeye" Ainsmith. the kid
brothers. Becker and Hughes, managed
last night. Chicken was the
chief sufferer. and maybe mat pair did
not kill the winged food. There were also
were not tied down.
PinochIe Is now in favor among the
elite. Mike Martin is a past master at
this game. and with Cashion as a side
partner the other lads are kept on the
jump.
Arrangements have practically been |
for the entertainment that will |
be given for the Nationals Saturday night |
in Hotel Griffith by the 'rah, 'rah boys, |
and a good time is in store for the major |
leaguers.
Big Eppa Rixey, the famous twirler OF !
Virginia. was watching the Nationals this |
morning but failed to put on Uniform |
This lad is big and husky and is bound |
10 make a rattllng good hurler. Pop" |
LInnigan says he has the goods.
Somebody played a joke on Bill Cum
lIngham that does not hit the right spot |
Bill brought a nice. new glove with him. |
and yesterday after the workout some |
one lifted II. Now Bill is sending for two
rev ones, and says he is going TO put a
lock on them and tie them around his
neck while he sleeps.
Waco, Tex, March 7.-Rain prevented
practice at the ball park to-day, and the
White Sox had to content themselves
With a strenuous afternoon workout at
he gymnasium. Indoor baseball was in
,luded in the programme. Manager Call
ahan announced to-day that Ralph
the French-Canadian, would be |
yiven a thorough trial at first base in
tead OF the outfeld. Callahan was
much impressed with the youngsters
lugging yesterday and thinks he has
picked up a wonder.
Mobile, Ala, March THE Maps put
rhe game OF one-old-cat was tabooed, as
Iansger Davis did not want them to
york too hard. In the afternoon they /
vent from soup to nuts. so to speak
he programme that was in order at
apd Wednesdays sessions was
arried out. George Cook, the latest
rrival in camp. was in uniform, as were
II the other Maps with the exception OF
i'm Zeigler, who is still suffering with
listers on his heels.
St Louis. No.. March THE Browns
sft tonight for Montgomery. Ala.
1here they will train, to-day's snow I
ere and the weather outlook forcing
resident Hedges TO yield. Pitcher
Iarney Petty arrived to-day, and all
he Browns left on the trip except Aus
in, the holdout Stovall, who signed q
contract with the Browns, is
uffering from a cold. II Is rumored
tovall may be the Browns captain II I
Wallace manages from the bench, which,
ldging from his form, is not likely. II