The Washington times., 1912-06-17

have been played. However, It had
been officially called off. and will be
played the next time the Nationals land
In the Forest City.
Howard Shanks, the moment the bat
tie was postponed, jumped into taxi
cab and rushed to the Euclid avenue
station, catching a train to bring him
into Monaco, Pa, early this morning.
reported in Washington before the
spring training trip, and he was de-
lighted at the opportunity Of seeing the
old town once more; He will report
Manager Griffith had promised the
players box of cigars for winning
Fridays battle from the Naplanders,
and when supper was over the players
every lad being enveloped in a cloud
of smoke. and grins being plentiful be-
cause the "Old Fox" had been COM
PEELED to buy good ones under the eyes
OF Foster and Hughes.
Early to Bunk.
At II O'CLOCK Manager Griffith ordered
his young charges to turn in, though
a number of them had disappeared be-
hind their curtains before that hour. In
ten minutes their cars were as tombs,
the players sleeping the sleep Of VIC
tors, their dreams filed with ball games
won in the ninth.
The spirit OF the Nationals is ex-
csllent. and should carry them through
the coming series in Philadelphia. They
imagine they can win from even John
Coombs, and Ray Morgan, who is giving
~ COBB a great battle In the batting
averages, freely predicts, that he may
Coonbs is sent to the hill.
Hitting Is Timely.
Though not hitting in the 300 class.
Howard Shanks' batting has been most
timely, while his fielding has been as
good: This lad is u natural outfielder,
e nd Is improving every day. Washing
ton fans should have plenty of reason
for applauding him before the season
Is done for making catches that seem
impossible.
The boys are winners. They know how
II feels-to come through victorious In.
the face Of odds. The pitchers are going
well and everybody, even the twirlers,
is landing on the bali. 1t will! take
worlds champions to stop the Ma
tionals, going as they eIe now.
The spirit of victory is hard TO over
come. ana every nan with the Nation
als is willing to wager his years sal
airy that the team will finish up among
the leaders in the first division. Not
one will consider a second division rest
ing place for moment. They feel they
have only the Athletics and the Red
Sox to defeat TO- first honors. and
these teams at any time, confident of
their chances of victory with any
breaks in the luck.
Manager Griffith keeps flaming the
that he has the greatest chance
has a bunch of Youngsters who
have not gone along year In and year
ont, always beaten and always hammer
ed into the cellar position befope the
sea son closes. The Nationals haze yet
to gain the experience of other Wash
tngton ball teams. of winding I'D at the
cnd of the procession. no matter how
good the start.
Except johnson, all the pitchers with
the team are ready to take their places
worlds champions. The rounding into
form Of Carl Cashion has taken a great
load from the shoulders of Clark Grit
nth, who believes the Carolinian has
the makings of the greatest pitcher in
baseball. The young giant will be
used in turn whenever he warns up
we'll.
For this coming series OF seven games
in five days with the Athletics Griffith
will have Barney Petty. Walter John
Engel, Carl Cashion, and Paul Musser,
all in excellent shape to take their
places on the mound Johnson may not
be used until the end of the week, to
"'loW him to recover from his recent
illness, but the others can go in today
If needed. Then, too, there Is Steve
White, the former Princetonian, who is
yearning for chance to show his class
in a game.
Not a man on the regular team is
handicapped by injury, and they are
all clouting the bali over .3Jv, with the
Shanks and Mcbride. These latter men
are making up for their failure to be