The Washington herald., 1912-03-07
NATIONALS BOSS
PRAISES CATCHERs
Grif Thinks he Will Have
Best Receiving Depart
ment in League.
TWO STIFF WORKOUTS
By C. W. SWAN.

By c. W. SWAN.
Charlottesville, Va, March 6.-'T think
I have three OF the most promising catch
ers In the American League. and IL they
continue TO put up the article of ball
they are handing out at present. no
club in the league Will have anything
on my receiving Department" This was
the statement OF Manager Clark Grifnth
tonight, when asked what he thought
OF Henry, Williams, and Ainsmith, his
three baekstops.
Eddie Ainsmith is a youngster, this
being his third year in the American
League, and his fourth in professional
baseball and his work last summer was
OF the best. John Henry, the Amherst
cciiegian. showed when he was showed
behind the bat for practically a month,
when Ainsmith and Street were injured.
that he Is capable OF handling the slants
Of any hurler in the business.
One OF the fastest men in the bunch,
big Alya Williams, the third man In the
Knight-Street swap, has rapidly won a
home in the heart of Manager Griffith,
and this big fellow should be able to
work with the best.
Williams Is unusually fast for a big
man, and gets the ball away with a
Jump His work In the gymnasium, while
II has not been such that would war
rant calling him the greatest catcher in
the game, has shown that he Is able TO
take care OF a pitcher, and that he will
more than make good with the Nationals
iss a foregone conclusion.
The entire squad had two good work
outs to-day in the gymnasium under the
watchful eyes OF Boss Grifr and Trainer
Mike Martin, who refuses TO allow a man
to work himself to death,
At the close OF morning practice the
men were all stinf and sore. but after
working about two hours in the afternoon
they were in fine shape, barring q little
stiffness that will soon wear on.
Buck" Becker. the local lad who hopes
for a good season, Is the real stiff lad OF
the party, as Buck has been working like
q house aire since Sunday. and has taken
no rest Long Tom Hughes is another
who is out in the gym working every
minute, and this pair will Just about be
In the best possible shape when the open
ing gong rings in QuaKertown.
Ray Morgan, John Henry. Dixie Wal
ker, and Eddie Ainsmith are going 10 be
in swell shape II hard work will get them
there, for this quartet put in one OF the
hardest days work OF the bunch to-day.
In the afternoon Grin batted to them
for nearly an hour, and when he called
halt Ray Morgan took up the stickwork
Ray intends to be a slugger this summer,
and Is practicing with the stick every day.
Dixie Is losing weight fast and VIII soon
be ready to start a game. Joe Engel is
another who is working hard and making
great progress.
Bob Groom, the elongated hurler Of the
Nationals. arrived at the training camp
shortly after 7 o'clock tonight, looking
great, and as he puts Il, just five pounds
overweight Bob says he ate a sand
wich on the train and that accounts for
his being so heavy. The toothpick twIrI-
er Of the Griffithites has already started
playing checkers. and Bob is the best on
the clubs roster. He Is in great shape
physically, and promises better season
than last year.
ter Johnson are in Washington, but
would not be at the camp until next
week. The fans here are waiting for
johnson, as they say he is the greatest
pitcher in the American League.
"BIondy' Musser smiles only on rare
occasions these days. He Is suffering |
from the early effects OF strenuous
training. but sticks gamely TO his task. !
He seems to have the earmarks OF a real (
live twirler, and will make a strong bid
for a regular berth on the pitching stan. |
While the Nationals we're limbering up |
in the gym a squad Of men were !
hard at work on Lambeth Field sweeping |
on a six-inch covering OF the old ia !
nliiiar white. good, strong sun, ac- |
companted by northeaster, was the bed
time wish OF every faithful in camp.
Pop" Lannigan is particularly swee,
on Bill Cunningham, the Nationals |
sturdy second sacker, who, incidentally, |
never looked more fit in the two years /
of his career as a National IF that lad |
don't make good this year / miss my |
guess" Lannigan was heard to say, after |
practice in the gym this afternoon.
When Trainer Mike Martin audited his !
accounts late this evening at least a /
half dozen balls were found to be among
the missing. The town kids have been
hanging around for several days, and to
all appearances reaped a harvest In to-
days gathering.
A drizzilng rain that started late to-
that much hated covering OF white. Fair
for the morning. But even the most ven
erable citizen IN Charlottesville stead
lastly refuses 10 youch for so bold a
prediction.
Pitch has become the favorite among
the card players, and many are the
matches that are played in leisure mo-
ments. Even the catchers take a hand !
In the proceedings at times.
Allen, the big West Virginian, showed
more IN to-day's workout than at any
previous time. Critics here are one in the !.
opinion that he stands an excellent
chance to make good. The youngster has
speed and good assortment Y
Of curves.
No more players are expected here un-
til Sunday afternoon when squad No. .
viii be due in full numbers. Everythingl
Is In readiness for their arrival and a
royal welcome IS assured.
Bob Groom had no sooner struck camp ii
than he called for his old favorite check
sr board. Several of the boys accom-
nodated him. but al the end of the even
ng he had added only a few more scalps
10 his string. Groom is a checker shark
md bids fair to hold the club title in I
he popular pastime.
IL