The Washington herald., 1912-04-23
.GRlFF'O METHODS
SURE TO RESULT
in BETTER WORK
Nationals Boss Has Unique
Method in Coaching Play
ers from Bench.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
By WILLIAM PEET.

Clark Grifith, whom the writer be-
lieyes TO be the best manager the wash
ington club has been lucky enough to
obtain since the Nationals have been in
the American League. has a unique
method OF explaining various plays to
his youngsters. Grif-s explanations are
SO clear that good results are bound to
follow.
During the game in Baltimore Sunday
the writer was fortunate in being able
TO sit beside the local boss on the bench
reserved for the Washington club, and
enjoyed hearing a lot Of inside stuff.
which. II published IN fun. would make
interesting reading.
II was particularly interesting to hear
the excuses this or that player would
make when he failed to hit safely when
the signal for the hit-and-run game was
given. or II he struck out with man
on third.
Grin paid no attention whatsoever to
excuses, but II a man pulled a bone
headed play, then something happened,
and before the manager was through
telling one of the youngsters what he
thought Of him. the kid realized mis- mis-
take in a minute, and promised never to
let It happen again.
For instance. Pitcher Buck Becker was
had a man on second with two gone.
The Baltimore pitcher had given Becker
two balls in succession Becker swung
at the next one pitched and hoisted a
ny to the center field
When Buck returned to the bench Griff
said: ANY time pitcher gets two balls
on you. want you to wait out the next
two. Do you understand Becker un-
derstood.
Later I'm the game, with Becker up. the
oriole twirler gave him two balls right
OF the reel. and Buck waited out the
next three. instead of two, with the re-
suit that he found himself on the job
with three balls and two strikes. Becker
set himself for the next pitch and wal
loped pretty single into left field, which,
incidentally, paved the way for the Ma
tionals' first run.
This Is only one Instance OF Grifrs
methods. He is on the Job every minute.
directing plays. II man does the right
thing at the right time. he is given due
credit, but IL he pulls Of bone" Good
night! The old fox does not emince words,
he simply tells him what he thinks OF
him.
Grifith has the respect Of every mem
Der OF the Washington club; the players
are with him to a man. They realize that
he is telling them how the game should
~ 49, sSes anu ANSnAAc dEe OOu1lu 70 lOllOW.
1t is only natural that Jim McAIeer
should want to win every game the
Boston Red Sox play against the Ma
honals, for more reasons than one.
First of all. McAleer Is new the
owner of ball club. and believes he
has a chance to win the American
League championship. Secondly, Nc
Aleer has very little use for the Wash
ington baseball writer's. as the local
scribes roasted him numerically last
season for carrying a lot Of dead wood,
instead Of trying to build up his club
with youngsters.
The addition, OF Jake Stahl has
doubtless strengthened the Red Soz
considerably. but from where we sit
they do not look like team which
will beat Connie Mack's Athletics out
Of the American League bunting this
season.
The Oaklands OF the Pacii- Coast
I