The Washington times., 1912-01-12

clarence walker, VINO caho no'S
from spartanburg, 8. c.. to play the
outfield for the Nationals. 10 the latest
to send his signed contract to Manager
Griffith.
The document came In with the noon
mail today from Limestone. Tenn,
whore the ball player IL spending the
winter pounding out, dots and dsshss
In a railroad telegraph office.
How much value young Walker VIII
be to the washington club will not b
known until after couple OF weeks
IN training. but Griffith said today he
has the same chance a. any Of the
others who will hgnt for the Jobs in
the outer gardens.
whether George Mcbride 10 to cap
tain the Nationals during the coming
season ID matter that u entirely up
to Griffith. -
The manager announced some time
ago that Mcbride was his choice. but
friends Of the shortstop were inclined
to feel that the player would not ac-
cept. Last season was the frst one
In which Mcbride was the target Tor
harsh criticism from the fans, and
many believed that 1T was because ne
was captain and the crowds seemed
sponsibie for the. reverses. The PAN
ming affected McBride's playing to
such an extent that his work was
freely commented upon. and some were
of the opinion that he was going back.
However, in a telegram to the writer
today. Mcbride declares the question
Of the captaincy must os decided ny
Griffith. This IL taken to mean inst
sibility II the manager says the WORD.
Has No Holdouts.
'If we have any real hold outs
among the Nationals. 1t 10 news to mo.
or course, some Of the players may
write back asking for increases on the
figures we have offered, but expect to
have every member in line long before
we start for Charlottesville" This is
Grifith's answer to the statement that
there are some disgruntled players on
the Washington clubs roster.
Having been a player myself know
how other players feel and should be
treated, SO I am treating all as liberal
as is consistent with good business. and
that's the best we can DO.
No contracts were received yeeteroay
and the only news which Grifith gave
out was the fact that he had decideo
that $40 o'clock should continue as the
time for the DesinninE OF the ga same,S, s,,ow az
the high schools to use the Yrounds
for their championship games 4 their
dates do not conflict with the Nation
The granting OF the use Of the park
To the schools 10 another evidence OF
the modern methods which Grtmth in-
tends to apply here. The manager ap-
preciates that popularity locally q
good business proposition. ana ne ID 90
Ing everything possible 20 roster tnis
feeling whenever 1t is possible to 90 SO:
In appreciation of the consideration OF
the mniyersity authorities in Offering
the use OF Georgetown Field AZ the
time the fire razed National Park CRIT
fth gave Georgetown the most desir-
able date on the preliminary scneoute,
ana later assigned q choice day to the
Catholic University. Now ne mas nun
dreds OF high school lads In hne-
Find Little Support.
washington fans who are most In
ststent for Immediate Improvement IN
the Nationals. and who contend tnat
PLAYERS of ability are easy to obtain
will find little to support their conten-
tions, according to statistics compheo
for both of the major leagues.
Two seasons ago there were lt3 men
tried out in the American League; Io-
dav exactly 100 Of these are still on
the leagues roster, and, as there are
many changes yet to be made, ~ 1s
doubtful II there will be IS per cent OF
the original number remaining when the
championship race opens. 80 treauentt
have exchanges been MADE tnat puS
WITH which they played in 1909.
The American League summary fol-