Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-29

anu sIA OF tnem went down by the strike
out route.
That ninth inning rally was the first
indication that the Nationals have given
this spring that it is possible for them to
hit, and it is to be hoped that they will
show more In this respect in the future.
Not one of the regulars has been hitting
up to his standard and Improvement was
sure to come. When d ball team is not
hitting, be 1t ever so strong, it always
looks weak. In the first place, it takes
the life out of the players when they are
In batting slump, and failure to hit
means to cut down chances to make
plays. Strange enough, the very players
who are supposed to furnish much of the
teams batting strength are those who
are not getting the ball safe Milan,
Schafer and Moeller are all in a slump
and when this trio begins to meet the ball
1t will make the team look a whole lot
different.
Manager Charley Doom Of the Rhlllies
is much discouraged with the weather his
team has been encountering this spring
There have been only four or five days
that the players have been able to work,
and because of this they left Hot Springs
Tor home last week: Il haven't single
pitcher who is good enough to go more
than three or four innings he told
the writer yesterday, and | have no
line at all on our new men, because /
have not seen them work. Our team is
all right when it is in shape, but it is not
in shape now, and it can't be for some
time yet We are being touted as possible
pennant winners, and it is pointed out
that L have great pitching staff but
the fact remains that Alexander was the
only one of my pitchers who made a good
showing last season, winning a large ma
jOrity of his games. Chalmers won but
three more than he lost, while Moore and
the others fell below the mark 1t strikes
tvv,n hot if>hn do hnx<1
If We are to have a chance. and the
weather has been breaking so badly for
us that none of them is anywhere near
ready yet"
Mike Doolin is rated with the best
shortstops in the country, and yet his
performance yesterday was that Of
novice. Four boots were contributed by
the Phillies' short fielder on plays that .he
would ordinarily handle with one hand.
Herman Schaefer has been tried in
many position since he has been a men,
Der of the local team. and he has never
been found wanting. The shift Of a play
er who has spent years in the infield to
the outfield is not often apt to bring
about satisfactory results, and yet Schae-
fer gave an exhibition of right field play
yesterday. that. to say the least. made a
most pleasing impression. He handled
everything that came into his territory
as If he had been out there for years.
One of his catches was a sensational
capture of fly hit far over his head,
which he did not seem to have a chance
threw a man out at the plate when he
tried to score from second on q base hit
to right field 1t begins to look very much
as II Schaefer would have no trouble
filling the bill in right. He is not yet
hitting as he should, and when he gets
his batting eye he will most likely again
prove himself one of the most valuable
men on the team
Jack Knight reported to Manager Grit
fifth yesterday afternoon, and was in
uniform during the game. Knight insists
that he is ready to play whenever called
upon. and he took occasion to once more
deny that there was anything wrong
with his arm. Knight has been practicing
with the Columbia College team, but his
appearance would Indicate that most Of
this work has been indoors, for he fails
to show any signs Of having been work
ing in the sun.
Eddie Ainsmith had a splendid day with
the bat, getting three hits, all of which
figured In the Nationals scoring. Though
Ainsmith did not have much of a batting
average last season, he was considered a
good hitter and for time was slated to
be changed from a catcher to an out
fielder on this account. He has been hit
ting in improved form all spring and may
be of help to the team in this respect also
this season.
For eight innings yesterday the Ma
tiOnals did not seem to have a look-in
with the Phillies. but in the ninth they
suddenly developed batting streak,
which, together with a misplay, put them
in a position to pull the game out of the
fire, but the effort was thwarted by some
stupid base running when Foster was
sent home from third, while Walker was
being retired at first, when but two runs
were needed to win and there was no one
out A double play resulted which put
an end to their chances. Cashion's wild
ness and a poor, throw to first by him
gave the visitors a big advantage in the
fifth inning, but their scoring ceased from
the time that Dixie. Walker went on the
slab. The fielding of the visitors was err
ratio, but they got some timely and lucky