The Washington times., 1912-04-30
Today's Probable Lineup
By SENATOR"

III every game tHlS year In which he
has caught walter johnson, Z. "Dorf"
hiasmith, the Nationals youthful back
stop, has made good. putting to rout
those we'll meaning but misguided fans
who were groaning last winter lest tho
big tw1rler fail this year for lack Of
a coed catcher. furthermore, through
his connection with Johnson, Ainsmith
may rise to the topmost pinnacle Of
baseball fame, even as did "Gabby"
Street
None will denv that Street is a good
catcher. He is a good man behind the
bat but his reputation never would
have travelled so far had ii not been
that he was always hooked up with
the kansas Cyclone the peerless
smokeball hurler of the American
league. The fame of the johnson and
Street combination reached the utter
most confines Of the English-speaking
world
Now 1t is AiEsmith's good fortune to
tall into the shoes of "Gapby' Street
johnson has worked excellently with his
Young catcher, the Cambridgeport Loy
showing no sign of difficulty in hold
ing Johnson's marvellous speed or quick
breaking hooks
"Should Be Star"
Working all season with Johnson.
Ainsmith should become one of the
stars of the league" says Manager
Gritfth. The boy has supreme conf
dence In himself, and doesn't fear john
sons speed any more than that OF any
other pitcher. He stands right up to
his task. and has done excellent work
all spring.
Indeed, think that either Henry or
Williams could catch Johnson just
] as well as street ever DID. 1t is all
pponsese to claim that only Street can
hold Johnson. Speed is not hard to
catch, unless the pitcher is wild. This
year Johnson has shown admirable con-
troll and has, accordingly, been more
enectiNe than ever before.
1T has fallen to Ainsmith to jump in
and prove his worth as a big league
backstop. He has done it. too, believe
ne. The boy Is there in every way
and Il will now be johnson and Ain
smith from coast to coast
Park Is Wretched.
Next Wednesday the United States
League team representing Washington
is 10 open it's home season at the old
Union League Park, Fifteenth and II
streets northeast. with the New York
club. Manager George Browne, the
old Boston, New York. Chicago, and
National outfielder, has collected a
team composed of few old-timers and
bunch OF green youngsters. The team
has been training at Richmond, Va,
where it opens the season tomorrow.
considerable work remains to be done
al the local park before the Uncle Sam
organization can expect to play there.
mill pond in left field must be abol-
ished and the iniield must be smoothed
out. The grandstand is in wretched con-
dttion and no throngs OF fans can be
expected TO gather there until the ac-
COmmOdationS are ft.
rhe Uncle Sam circuit has Gus Dun
don, the former White SoX infelder,
with the Washington club; Jerry Free
man and Doc Meyer. former Ma
1onals, with Cleveland; Bohannan, once
= pitcher with Pittsburg, at Richmond
Deacon Philippe and Claude Ritchey
with the Pittsburgh PHILIPPINES, and Joe
pelehanty and Malay. both OF whom
have seen big league service.
Tomorrow this league, working in op-
position to organized baseball opens in
Richmond, New York, Cleveland, and
Cincinnati. No interest mas been shown
here in The Capital in the probable fu-
ture of the league, and this, coupled
with poor weather and miserable ball
park, may mean a speedy end of the
Washington club of the United States
League.
Would Hurry Game.
onlnS ulIeCl from Iresluent bdi
Johnson Jack Sheridan, chief of um
pires in the American League, a sCrt
Of pension position, has ordered the in
fields TO abolish their practice betwCer
innings with an extra bail IT is sup
posed that this practice has slowed W
7he afternoon exhibitions. From nov
on, in accordance with the practice uset
In the West this spring, the American
League teams will have but one bat
in use between innings.
1t might be we'll for Sheridan, If hi
Cyesght permits, 10 watch the decli
ions of "TerTibIe Tommy" ConnOll,'
Sheridan and Ban Johnson Visite,
Cleveland last week TO gaze upon TIT
decisions of a couple IF willing un
pires, Dineen and PeTrine. Connolly hal
been getting away with some freakisl
decisions In the East equaled only b!
those Of the offcious silk O'Loughlln n
Hal Chase may lie attacked will
Crysipelas, according to reports from
New York. A rash has broken out upoI
his face. and he IL confined TO his hom
under the care OF physician and nj
Wife 1t is not expected tLat he vi!
lie able TO play tor n least month
Meanwhile, Simmons will hold dow
first base, and the lIighlanders vii
mics much Of Chase's hitting and has
Al h.s1fl