The Washington times., 1912-03-15
Jack Ryan Will Assist In
Searching for Good
Points.
SQUAD FORCED TO
PRACTICE INDOORS
Wind and Sun Needed to Make
Lambeth Field Suitable
For Game.
BY SENATOR"

CHARLOTTESVILLE Va, March Is.
Some time today Manager Griffith, of
the Nationals, expects to receive a de-
clsion in the case of Jay Clarke from
Ban Johnson, in answer to his telegram
3 of inquiry sent last night. johnson took
the status of Clarke under advisement
some three weeks ago and the catcher
now seeks information as to which CLUB
he will Join, Washington or st: Louis;
Griffith wants a decision from the head
of the American League In order to act.
II claim that Clarke belongs to St.
LOUIS says Griffith, 'as 1 have yet
to be officially informed that he belongs
to me. II he is turned over to me,
however, shall send him to the Kansas
City club, having no room for him on
this club"
Jack Ryan, last years manager of
the Jersey City club of the Eastern
League, who will assist Griffith in
searching for good points In the young
pitchers here, got In his first work in
Fayerwcather Gymnasium today. He
arrived in time for supper last evening
and Immediately became one of the pop
ular principals in a pitch game. He will
remain until the team leaves for Wash
,ington.
Rain showed up again and the squad
had to hold its practice indoors. All
might long 1t poured down in bucket
fuls, and nothing but a good wind,
combined with warm sun, will make
Lambeth Field suitable for tomorrow s
game with Virginia. The heavy down
pour continued today with no signs of
quitting.
Manager Griffith held an executive
session of his players last night at Grit
fifth Hall, handing down his rules for
training and for conduct and acquaint-
ing the boys with his policies. The
regulars also talked over playing sig
nails to be used in the exhibition series.
The Nationals will leave for Wash
ington at 7:1O Saturday night, March
q INSTEAD IF waiting over until the
following Tuesday. Owing to the
changes instituted at the concrete
coliseum, Griffith wants his players to
have a couple of days wor kout upon 1t
before facing Georgetown. Two prac.
tice sessions, closed to the public, will
be held on Monday and Tuesday, March
% and &c.
No agreement has yet been reached
between Clyde Milan and Griffith con-
corning the terms of the players con-
tract, and nothing Is expected to be
done until the team arrives in wash
ington.
Awaiting Orders.
Unless there comes an official edict
from Car Ban B. Johnson, president
of the American League, one mig
Clarke, veteran backstop, may find
himself a free agent this year and able
: to sign with the highest bidder.
. Clarke has wired Manager grimm
here, asking about his status, but the
= leader of the Nationals declined to
: have anything to do with the catcher
: of the St. Louis Browns. Not until Of
! fcially informed that Clarke is the
property of the Nationals will Grithth
& have anything to do with him.
Z There is no room for Clarke on the
q Nationals. Henry, Ainsmith, and Will
Hams make one of the best catching
3 trios in the American League. Each is
a youncster with long years OF service
ahead Of him. Until Williams was OBJ
, tanned Clarke might have found perth
. with the Nationals. But with Williams
: in line, and the memory of the clever
deal OF one Col. Bob Hedges, president
: of the Browns, still ranking in the mind
( of Manager Griffith, Clarke may wake
! up some morning to find himself free
agent, Griffith does not want him.
Rain is with US again today. not that
: the country Is parched or the crops
i badly in need of the cooling tiuld' but
rather because it seems the custom In
this section of the country TO nave RAIN
Z most of the time.
A bright sun greeted the Nationals
yesterday on rising and hung around
Z until the middle of the afternoon
eenabllng them to get IN two good prac-
tice sessions on Lambeth Field, There
was a cool wind blowing across the
diamond, but the players got in good
workouts both morning and afternoon
and Manager IIlllllH was SdllSuSu WHICH
the days tolls were completed.
= Ralph Maths and Al Scheer appeared
IN uniform for the first time. Both lads
refused to remain at Griffith Hall any
slonger, and well wrapped up in flaming
red flannel, pranced around the field
like colts. Up against the fast pitchers
, they looked weak in comparison with
the others neither lad having done any
work before. Scheer famed at twelve
fast ones before he landed on one OF
Cashion5 fast freights" for fly to
the right garden. Maths managed to
foul off the sixth. but he famed nine
etimes before he got solid crack at the
leather.
The regulars pr1ctiCed first, batting