The Washington times., 1912-02-08
Henry and Ainsmith Write
Griffith Concerning Their
EarneStnesS.
NINE PLAYERS, ARE
YET TO SIGN PAPERS
Spencer's Document For 1919 Is
Latest to Arrive
Here.
BY SENATOR"

by 'SENAIUk.
That the proposition of having catch
ers report at Charlottesville with the
members of the pitchers staff has
proven popular with the Washington
backstops was shown today when Man
ager Griffith received word from both
Eddie Ainsmith and John Henry, that
they would not only be on hand, but
were anxious for the chance TO put in
an extra week of practice ahead of the
regulars.
Musser and a couple of the other
young pitchers also wrote the manager
today that they had received the order
TO report and would be on hand when
the work is started.
Griffith spent most of today consider
ing the contracts for the uniforms
which the team will wear next summer
Charley King was on hand with a COL
lection of samples and when it was all
over the manager said that the Ma
tionals would wear white at home and
a. striped blue and gray suit while on
the road. On the right arm of each
of the suits will be a brassard with the
tnitial "W.' Contracts for the uniforms
will be awarded within a day or two
Nine Unsigned.
Nine of the thirty-one members OF the
Washington ball club have not yet
signed their contracts for the coming
season, but with two exceptions, Gessler
and Moeller, Griffith is in correspon-
dence with his backward players and
has practically reached an understand
ing on the matter of terms with them
all.
From his home in Ohio, Chester
Spencer, the Rochester recruit, ycster-
day forwarded his document to Griffith
with letter which shows that the
player is in no way lacking in confidence
Of his ability to make a regular place
on the Nationals.
That Spencer is the enc who is ex-
pected to win out in the triangular fight
for first base is the general opinion Of
those who should know. Last season
Schaefer had one OF the best years in
his whole baseball career. which is not
D short one, and If he should clout TIE
ball again as he did In 1911 he may hold
down first base. despite his weakness
on batted and thrown balls that come
to him low. If Griffith is not satisfied
with SChaefcr's tielding, the veteran
may be showed into right field to fill the
position where Doc" Gessler formerly
held forth.
Spencer Star Fielder
Such an arrangement would leave
Spencer and Jack Flynn to battle Tor
tile initial corner of the infield. Mike
llahoe is authority for the statement
that Spencer will prove the best field
Ing first baseman on a Washington
team in years, but what he will be able
10 do in the hitting line is problemati-
cal. lie hit .267 in the Eastern League
last season, which is only fairly good
mark despite the fact that that circuit
ranks with the American Association
as the fastest among the minors
Griffith has seen Flynn in action and
has pretty good line on this player.
While Griffith was managing Cincin-
natl, Flynn was being tried out by Pitts
burgh. The Pirates later let him out
and he was drafted by the Nationals
before Griffith was appointed manager
Hugh McKinnon. president of the
Washington club in the United States
League, said today that by the end
of the week he expects to make some
definite announcement as to who will
manage his team and where the games
will be payed.
Would Play Here.
President McKinnon has had any
number of applications from former
players who would like to land here as
leader of the outlaws, but he has ROW
settled upon a man who will be signed
IF the pair, can come to an agreement
concerning salary.
Until l close with a manager it will
he impossible for me to sign any play
ers," said MCKinnon today. This talk
of not being able to land enough mer
o., to I'LL out the team is all rot. Wltnan
head of the league, has a stack of sew
eral hundred letters from ambition:
players who are anxious to get on On(
or another of the clubs, so when oul
manager arrives there will be no della!
in making up the roster"
Has Central Site.
II row appears that the outlaws hav
not yet decided to play at Union Park
in east Washington. When the PLAN
were first announced it was said tina
Lawson's old grounds would be used
but today McKinnon said he has unde
consideration two sites that are NOR
central and that he may decide to built
new plant not far from Union Sta
ton.
The first manager to be signed up b.
the United States League is Lave Cross
the old Washington captain, who wi
had plenty of experience as a minO
league manager since leaving here, bu
that he will actually play on the out
law circuit is rather doubtful, as eros
can hardly now be described as a minol
Marty Hogan, the former Lancaste
manager, is said to be slated for tn
position as pilot of the Pittsburgh ou
laws
John Anderson, who earned eterni
fame when he stole second with I'll
bases loaded and later ended in tn
Washington Cutfeld, yesterday con
pleted a deal whereby be obtains ha
interest in the Wheeling Ylub of II
Central League.
He is said to have paid $4,000 for
per cent of the stock with the undei
standing that he is TO play center fiel
and manage the team.
The decision as to the park will I
reached the same time the manager
signed
Billy KLEIN, king of the Nations
League umpires, who made such an e.
Cellent impression at the worlds seTiI
last fall, will handle the indicator {
Tom Lynchs circuit for three mol
years at least. He placed his nan
10 the papers yesterday