The Washington times., 1912-07-29
FRED WALKER MAY a
BE SIGNED BY MACK
Pitching 'Phenom" Has Been Performing in Exhibition
Games Among the Amateur Teams of Washington.
-. Griffith Looked Him Over. -
washington has been entertaining a

Washington has been entertaining a
pitching ''phenom" unawares.
Fred M. Walker, latest addition to
Connie Mack's pitching staff, has been
playing among the amateur teams In
exhibition games. Unheralded and un-
known ne has practiced with the Ma
&ionals, worked out with Jack Ryan and
Eddie Ainsmith, and has pitched and
won two games in the city, hanging
up good records in each case.
Where he came from and what he was
going to do, was not learned until to-
day, when It was found out that Connie
Mack had string on the sensational
finger. Griffith looked Walker over on
Amateur Day. his first performance in
the city.
Griff was out with the Amateur Pa
rade on July 20 and arrived at the park
to find Walker in a National uniform
pitching to Jack Ryan. Eddie Ain
smith later handled Walkers delivery
for while, after which Walker went
into the dugout to watch the Nationals
play st. Louis.
Griff Did Not Know Him.
When questioned about the pitcher,
Grin said he didn't know him, and was
surprised ito find a stranger in a suit
when he arrived at the ball park. The
following day, Walker pitched for the
Postoffice team against the Cherokee
Indians at Union League Park, holding
them to one hit and winning his game
with ease, no ball going to the infeld.
Grin saw Walker pitch five. innings of
the Cherokee Indian game. but did not
sign him, although Walker struck out
sixteen batters in the contest.
Yesterday Walker pitched against the
Cornell Cornell t;nn; team; in n. the Capital City
two hits and tanning fifteen batters.
Postoffice won by 2 to /, due largely
to Walkers brilliant box work.
Walker seemed to have everything. and
that he worked a beautiful splitter
against Cornell yesterday, and had
things all his own way.
had been signed by Connie Mack, and
was to report to the Athletics on their
return from the West on August 15.
The fact that he appeared in Nation
Ryan and Eddie Ainsmith, was passed
up, and then appears as Mack's latest
addition is what will puzzle the fans.
Walker Is right-hander, weighs 1S5
Inches. He is about twenty-four years
old, and appears to have plenty of speed
and control Of sharp breaking spitball,
which he uses continually. He Is much
White Sox. and throws with much the
same motion as the famous pitcher.
Coached Utah University.
According to his own story Walker
was under Alonzo Stagg, and played
halfback on the football team. Last
year Walker coached the University OF
Utah football team. and was formerly
connected with semi-pro teams in Cali
affn fpn. II.
Oakland and Seattle clubs, but said tina
he took/a long chance and wanted 6
trial with the big league teams
H. NJ. Bradley. manager of the Post
office team, learning of Walker. col
laborated. with Dug Allison, forme
catcher of the old Cincinnati Reds, anC
an old friend of Connie Mack. Mack
on Allison's advice, Is to give the
youngster trial when the team comes
East again. I.'
Announcement of the field and tract
games tc be given at Marshall Hall ol
august 10 for the amateur baseball
players of the District Is meeting Will
approval from. the various teams II
one OF the largest events ut its kin'
ever held for the amateurs.
Every amateur ball player in the cit!
Is eligible to enter in the various co. con
circling the bases, going from the plat
to first base, throwing the ball for dis
tance, throwing the bali FOR accuracy
and sliding into the bases. After tn
various contests are run of a game VII
be played between two of the feadin
teams of the city.
A handsome silver loving cup will b
the team trophy for the day, and gold
silver, and bronze medals will be pre-
y scented to those who win places in tn