Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-31
JACK KNIGHT FAR FROM
BEING READY TO PLAY
Continued from First Page.)

sion that was expected since returning TO
their own grounds The team looked
much better in Charlottesville than it has
Shown here, but there is no need for be-
ing discouraged, for the trouble with the
team at the present time is that the play
erS on whom Griffith relies for much of
his batting strength are not hitting any
where near their standard. For instance.
Milan, Schaefer and Moeller are not get
ting on the bases as often as they will
when they are in form, and that natural
ly makes lot of difference TO the team
No team, be it ever so strong makes a
good impression when it is not hitting,
and that is the trouble with the Nationals
at the present time. Of course, when the
team is at it's best it is not a great hit
ting club, but there is no doubt that it is
whole lot better than ii has shown, and
it is, perhaps, fortunate that the players
are in batting slump now, for they can
work themselves out of it before the sea-
son opens.
Monday the Nationals play the Catholic
University team, and Tuesday and We'd
nesday they will have the hardest games
of the exhibition season when they are
pitted against the New York Giants. Grit
fifth is trying to arrange it to have Wal
ter Johnson and Christy Mathewson pitch
the same day. 1t is figured that a clash
between this pair would create a lot of
interest and draw a large crowd.
Shanks' home-run drive hit the top Of
the right-field fence and then bounded
out of the grounds. Shanks handles him.
self like natural hitter. and he is sure
TO make a good showing with the bat
from this out.
In the two games Buck Becker has
worked on the local grounds he has
shown better form than at any time last
season. Becker appears 10 be in much
better condition now than ever before
and it is ~ no means settled that he won {
be able ~ I'D his own against the Amer
lean I.easto teams. In view of the fact
that Griffith is badly in need of a left
handler = is more than likely that Becker
will be- :,.-en another chance to show.
One -: :he features of the game played
betwtE. S}rooklyn and Indianapolis yes
terday "aS, according TO the Associated
Press report, the hitting of Gagnier, who
made three clean drives out of four times
up The former National is keeping up
the pace he set at Charlottesville and
tlN leading players Of the association
this season. He is beyond question much
too fast for that league.
The chances are that Griffith will do no
Store wedding out of superfiuous talent
until a day or SO before the season opens
and salaries start. Allen, Guy Johnson,
Sheer and perhaps Boehling viii be
shipped to the minors and Musser may
follow suit. though he is beginning to
show improved form and may be able to
make the team. The selection of utility
outfielders lies between Shanks, Walker
and Long, and of the trio the former APP
pears to have the best chance. Akers IS
pretty sure to be a fixture on the pitching
staff and only the players mentioned are
apt to figure in any deals
Bill Buscher, who pitched part of the
games for the All-Stars, might make a
pitcher of some ability. He is a big fel-
low who uses a Sp.t-ball and when in
condition should be able to 90 quite a
route. The All-Stars showed effects of
needing work.