Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-29
GREENE MAY Join
BIG LEAGUE CLUB
Has Been rendered Contract
by Philadelphia Nationals
and Will Probably Sign.
WILL PITCH FOR C. u.
TEAM NEXT SPRING
Expects to Start Professional
Trial About June 5. After
End of College Year.
BY H. c. BYRD.

N>'N. PitN'iihS uidli-
stay OF the Catholic niNerSitv
nine tor the last three wears. NAV
join a big league ball club next
spring \n offer has been re-
eeived by him from the Philadel-
phia National League Club. and
he has given ii out as his inten-
ton to Join that team at The end
q the present school year. iune
:. Greene mas received contract
from the Pl1illies and ii is in his
possession now. although he has
yet TO sign it.
This is not the first time Greene
has had an opportunity to play
professional ball. There have
been several occasions when he
has been approached by repreSen-
tatives OF clubs playing in or
gained ball. but he has refused
their propositions, choosing 10
play amateur and college ball.
If Greene plays professional ball
during the coming season. as he
likely will. having an offer from
such team. the passing from the
amateur ranks of one OF the best
college and amateur league pitch
ers in the city will be marked.
Greene has not only made a rec
ord for himself locally in the anna
teur organizations, but he has also
established himself as one of the
best college pitchers in the coun-
try. Time after time he has met
some of the strongest of college
mines and has come out with VIC
tories to his credit
With the Cornell Company and the
American Security and Trust Company
amateur circuits. While with both teams
he pitched an article of ball which un-
doubtedly classes him with the best
among the various circuits. He has en-
gagged i'm pitching duels with the best
twirlers developed in the District in the
last three Years. and has never failed to
acquit himself with credit.
If Greene signs the contract he has
been rendered by the Philadelphia club
there viii be many who have followed
his career with the &. L. nine and in
tho amateur leagues who will be glad To
see him make good. IL would he "A fine
thing for amateur and college base ball
here III Washington could have recent
products of the local lots playing in bofh
the American and National leagues. It
would mean that two men had been de-
veloped sufficiently for successful trials
with major league clubs in two years
Joe Engel and Greene.
1t begins To look as though Washing-
ton will have another representative
make good in the American League dur
ing the coming season If predictions
are to come true ii * certain that Johnny
Priest will be regular with the New
York club. Nearly everybody who has
seen him during the past year is enthu-
STA site in aging il is "A practical certainty
that he will be the leading candidate for
third base Hal Chase is reported io
have placed his stamp of approval IN
the former Agricultural Department.
PLAYER 1t is stated that Chase thinks
there is no chance for anybody who viii
KEGS to beat out the local lad
To the minor leagues Washington reg.
uarly sends its quota of players every
year There is not a season passes tha6
some two or three men from the lots are
not placed in one or more of the smaller
circuits and accomplish SO much THAI
they are retained. Generally they stay
In that league year or so and then
go higher.
The two most notable instances OF ladS
who made good i'm minor circuits last sea.
son are All Handiboe and Monk Wall
ters Both men joined professional clubs,
and did exceptional work. The first men-
toned went to Savannah I'm the South
Atlantic League and did such creditablo
PLAYING that he is now hailed the best
outfielder In the circuit. He hit well and
feded In a sensational manner at times.
Walters did great work for the Norfolk
team i'm the Virginia State League. Like
Handiboe, Walters played the outfield.
and his work on the bases was especially
worthy of mention. He seldom went
through a game without getting a hit,
and he fielded above the average.
II is probable that there are other men
PLAYING with local college and amateur
league mines who would be able to make
good in some good class ID or class c cir
cult If they would accept the opportunity.
The trouble Is that in the majority Of
cases the youngsters find il more profita.
BILE to remain in the positions they are
holding, OF else refuse to give up their
chances of taking part In college ball.
Another avenue is opening up in base
ball in that there are chances for younfp
men to go out and make good in bass
There is a man in the citv
now looking for an intelligent young fellox
who would like to take chance with
The indicator and none can be found,
Given the chance 1t might be that some-
BODY would make good and il would be
almost a surety that he would go TO a
better league and a larger salary atsthe
end Of the year.
The president OF the league in question
stated in his inquiry as to where be could
secure a young umpire that he did NOT
know where one could he secured ana
that he would appreciate IL GrcatlY re