Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-09
BY J. ED GRILLo.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHARLOTTESVILLE Va, March o.
Under conditions which would not be ac-
cepted ordinarily for outdoor practice the
Nationals got their first work on Lambeth
Field yesterday afternoon. Only because
he was anxious to break the monotony
did Griffith order his squad to the open,
though there was a slight driZzle at the
time. While the air was damp and cold,
there is no doubt that even under these
conditions the players were helped more
by the hour they spent on the ball field
than the week they have put in indoors.
The gymnasium is good enough for ordi-
nary exercise. but it Is not the place to
train a ball team. Just when the next
chance to work outside will present itself
is questionable. 1t may be today and it
may not be until next week.
Though every one in the party has been
keeping close watch on the weather,
none of them is expert enough in the
matter of representation to attempt a
prediction as to the future. Thursday
night, for instance. it was clear and
warm, and yet Friday morning it was
cold, raw and drizzlng.
All the pitchers took good workout on
the field, while Henry and Ainsmith
worked behind the plate. Both showed
that their arms are At, for they threw to
the bases as IL it were midseasOn. Nor
gan and Cunningham fielded srounders
hit at them by Griffith and then all hands
took chase around the park, so that
when they returned to the gymnasium all
were soaked In perSpiratiOn and much
more tired than has been the case after
several hours indoor work. Every day
that 1t is possible to do so Griffith will
have the players out on the field. When
the second squad reports there will be
too many players to have them work in
the gymnasium. unless they are divided
into squads but there is plenty of room on
the ball field. aud it Is to be hoped that
the gymna SUM will not have to be used.
When it comes to injecting ginger into
a ball team leave it to Alva Williams.
He can make more noise during practice
than all the others put together. and
he keeps every one on edge and hustling.
Williams is an incessant worker. He Is
never still and is always one of the first
to begin and last to quit work.
Ii ever a ball player is trying hard to
make good il is Ray Morgan. The young
ster wants to stay in fast company. and
he is sure to give any one who beats him hin
proving. He will be 30 per cent better
ball player this year than he was last,
and the fact that third base is no longer
a new position to him will make q great
difference in his playing.
Members of the Washington team will
be relieved of carrying their uniforms
when travelling this year. The instaia-
ers has simplifed the matter Of trans
porting the uniforms, which will be
packed in trunks and shipped from city
to city. Trainer Mike Martin will have
charge Of them, and when the ball play
ers report at the park they will find their
uniforms laid out before their lockers.
When the series Is over Martin will pack
them and have them shipped to the next
stand.
About the busiest man around a ball
players training camp is the trainer. He
has a thousand and one things to look
after. besides rubbing all the players
twice a day after practice. Mike Martin
does not have much time to rest He is
kept busy from morning till night, but
it seems to agree with him, for he ap-
parently enjoys it.
Before Cashion can hope to be big
league star Griffith will have to change
him all around. His motion is such now
that he does not get all the force behind
the ball that he should, and the first
thing that will have to be done Is to
change that. Changing pitchers style
Is not an easy matter for the reason that
II takes a lot of time to master new
manner of delivery without impairing his
speed and curves. But Cashion is down to
undergo a change just as soon as his
arm gets strong enough to stand expert
menting. Griffith is particularly anxious
TO have Cashion developed, for he feels
sure that IL he can be taught to pitch
he will make a great running mate
for Walter Johnson. and two pitchers Of
that caliber would come pretty near to
carrying a ball club through a season
successfully.
1t will, Of course. take some time to
get Cashion going right. and yet he may
prove more apt pupil than is expected
When Joe Boehling reached here he had
just recovered from a sick spell and con-
training work Griffith realized this fact.
and had him do but little. During the
past week. however, the Richmond south
paw has greatly improved. and he is now
just beginning 10 show his real form.
There is a chance for Boehling. He is a
much better pitcher than he was thought
TO be when he first made his appearance
here, and with proper handling may be
able to hold his own.
Though Clark Griffith was pitching pro-
fessionally twenty-five years, ago, his
arm Is perhaps as good today as it ever
was. He shows this in practicing with
the pitchers. He usually puts on a catch
er's mitt and handles the deliveries or
the various twirlers and then shows them
a few things when he returns the ball.
Realizing that he was one OF the star
pitchers of the country few years ago.
the young pitchers are anxious to fol-
low his advice in everything that he sug-
gests.
Griffith was talking with Cunningham
about batting the other day. He was
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