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

Because Connie Mack is travelling with
his regulars it is being insinuated that
he is anxious about them. when perhaps
the real explanation for his doing SO Is
that he has convinced himself that there
is nothing to be expected from MS
Youngsters Indications are that only
small percentage of the army OF young
ball players who are being tried out oy
the major league clubs this spring viii
make good So far few reports nave
come out of the various training camps
which tend to show that there will De
any sensational youngsters in the coming
campaign.
Most of the teams will be made up
much as they were last season. Wash
ington is an exception to this. however
as Griffith has made more changes than
any other of the big league teams. me
only thing that could happen the Atnle-
tics which would endanger their chances
in the race would be the collapse or one
or two of the stars, either in the field or
on the pitching staff, and If that nap
pened Connie Mack's presence with the
team would not change the situation.
No doubt Mack has been convinced a1ter
looking his youngsters over that none OF
them has a chance to replace his regu-
lars and for this reason he mas passed
them up.
The report that George Moriarty is to
be cast adrift by the Tigers is also Delns
denied In fact, Jennings seems to nave
given assurance that both Morfarty ana
O'Leary will be carried this year even IL
neither play regularly. But the vaiue VI
two seasoned infielders for utility Pur-
poses Is we'll recognized by Jennings. For
this reason If no other he would not part
with either of the players mentloneo. a
team which has pennant aspirations must
be well fortified against accldenLS Which
are apt to occur. and II II mas 20 aei; 1 ~
much more apt to weaken itself tnan II
it has seasoned players to use at a mo-
ment'S notice.
Detroit, by the way, Is not apt to have
a materially strengthened pitching stan
this season unless several of the veteran
twirlers come to unexpected life. Jen-
ings does not appear to nave Deen 1ortu-
nate in picking up any young tWlrlers
who will set the league on nle, ana i II ms
campaign will be repetition OF last sea-
son. when the weakness OF Its pitchers
caused them to lose first place after ap-
parently having gained q nrm holo on
fhe lead during the first six weeks of the
season.
A team which cannot boast Of strong
pitchers has no chance these days re-
gardless Of how strong II may De OF
do will not make up for weak slab
work.
It is not going to be an easy matter for
Griffith to arrange ms a.n in Rn;,t and ,+ YET
the lineup. Foster and Flynn. while not
playing up to their standard as yet, are
too good players to have sitting on the
bench. Griffith. however. Will have plenty
of time to experiment with his infleld be-
fore the season opens, and the one thing
he will bear in mind is to get the best
possible batting combination Into his line.
up for 1t is very evident that hitting is
not going to be the strongest feature OF
the Nationals play this season.
When the national commission recently
passed rule compelling minor league
club to assume the contract or player
a just act toward the players. Contracts
are supposed to be upheld by ball play
ers. Upon this is the very foundation OF
organized base ball built. and yet the
quently Minor league ball players have
been signed to major league contracts,
and vet before they ever had chance to
draw any sa0ry they have been returned
to the minor. where their contracts with
the big fellows have been ignored and a
new one at decided cut has been put
into force This has been a gross injus-
tice, and the ruling passed by the COM
mission makes this impossible In the fu-
ture.
According to Johnny Kilbane, Abe At
tell tried to have the fight by which he
lost the title fixed. This is in keeping
with the system that Attell employed by
means Of which he retained the cham
pionship for so many years. Kilbane,
believing in himself. refused. and the
battle was won on the square. Attell, of
course. is now In retirement and should
be kept there If it can be proven that he
ATTEMPTED to fake The sooner fight pro-
moters clear the game Of its crooks the
sooner will the sport prosper in every
section of the country.
Arle Latham. whose age seems not to
have deteriorated either his agility or
vocal ability. is almost sure to drop into
absolute retirement this season. For sew
eral years he has been carried by the
New York club as assistant coach to
McGraw and as such has shown .consd-
cradle ability. But the new rule which
limits club to twenty-five players after
May 10 may be the cause Of Latham get.