Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-28

have a much easier position to play.
The right field on the local grounds does
not require. finished fielder by any
means. Schaefer is not q star I'm the
outfeld. but he makes up for this by
his splendid inside work, and when It
comes to doing accurate throwing he has
hardly an equal among his fellow-play-
ers.
II Flynn or Spencer come up to the
mark Schaefer will not be missed from
the infield. but will add materially TO
the outfield, and 1t is batting strength
which the team needs most.
Ball players become attached to GER
tain bats and they value their favorits
sticks most highly. When Wild Conroy
left here at the close OF the season he
must have been under the impression
that he would return, for he left his
WALLPAPERS here. Yesterday Manager
Griffith received letter from Conroy re-
Questing him to look up his bats and ship
them to his home In New Jersey. Wild
Is getting ready to do some damage for
Rochester in the International League
next season.
Even IL Griffith fails to land his team
higher than 1t finished last season he has
already demonstrated his ability to ham
die the clubs affairs I'm the few weeks he
has been in charge here The Washing
ton clubs business Is now conducted
along strictly business lines. Griffith de-
votes all his time to club matters, and
better results are sure TO be attained
sooner Or later. The time when a ball
club can be run as a side issue has long
since passed. There is too much compe-
tition in the game not to have a constant
dog on watch. Every detail must be
looked after. Not only will this prove a
direct saving to the club, but 1t will even
tuaIly be on an equal basis with It's rivals
In the matter OF recruiting its team.
Nor Is there any reason why Grimth
should not prove an artistic success. He
certainly has had the experience, and
with his proclivities for hustle and work
conditions should constantly improve here
under his regime.
Griffith sent Dixie" Walker his con-
tract yesterday. This document contains
many clauses calculated to make. Dixie"
follow the straight and narrow path.
Walker agreed some time ago to sign any
contract Griffith might submit, providing
the salary mentioned therein was salts
factory. Walker seems to be sincere in
that he wants to better his condition. and
Griffith has made 1t plain that the only
way he can do that is to pay strict at
tention to his business Griffith does not
want ball players who consider the play
ing season q sort OF a summer vacation.
He tries to impress his players with the
fact that base bail is their business and
that they must give 1t their every atten-
don
Being unfamiliar with the ability Of
most of the players on his team, GTfmth
is absorbing all the information he can
get concerning them. 1t Is but natural
that nearly all his callers have some
thing to say about this or that member
Of the team. and Griffith always proves
most attentive listener. But, OF course.
he Is not influenced by these op mons.
He proposes to watch and see for him.
self, and when the time comes to pick
his team 1t will be up to him to do il.
and 1t viii be done on the strength OF his
own observations.
Griffith has his own ideas about ball
players. The fellow who is alwa, irving.
though ne lacks brilliancy, is the one to
play for Grifiith. Strikers and Players
who do not take their wsrk seFf sly
will not be tolerated. Being q hustler
him. and in this he has not maze q mis-.
take.
Friendship counts for much In base
ball. The manager who has string OF
friends identified with the game has
much on the unpopular individual Tay-
lor. the left handler purchased from
Tex, yesterday. came to
Griflith through the friendship Of Bill
Bernhard. the former Cleveland pitcher.
who Is now In the Southern League.
Bernhard had q scout down In Texas
pitch he recommended him to Bernhard.
The Chicago Cubs however, came along
and purchased the player. but through
some irreguIarity in the agreement the
sale was set aside. Bernhardt. when he
heard of this. set himself In commi MICA.
was the purchase Of Taylor by the WASH
ington club. From all accounts the
younxster stands Q chance Of. makin9,
rood In fast company.