The Washington herald., 1912-03-10
Nationals Leader Blamesthe
Weather for Poor Start
at Charlottesville.
PITCHERS OUT AGAIN
Recruits Practice on Soggy Dia-
mond and Dixie Walker
Cuts Loose.
By G. w. SWAN.

Charlottesville, Va, March e.-"No, /
can't say that I consider the first weeks
work a success said Manager Griffith
tonight in answer to that question. THE
rain and snow have knocked us out Of
practice on the diamond on all but two
afternoons. The weather has been cold
and everything has been against U.S."
continued the leader of the Nationals
while We have had It pretty tough, l
don't think there Is any club in the
league that has had II any better, and
We are in as good shape as the next, as
We have had the advantage of the Fayer-
weather gymnasium at all times and sew
eral of the other clubs have been forced
10 lay idle around the hotels in the South,
as no gymnasium was available for them
10 use"
THE pitchers have been able to get
the kinks out of their arms to a certain
degree, and the cstchers are now in fair
ly good shape, there are few stiff or sore
arms in the troupe, and think that We
have done fairly well, when all things
are taken into consideration"
Manager Griffith, while not overpleased
with the progress made, realized that it
could have been worse, for. If the Uni
versity OF Virginia had not placed the
gymna sum at his disposal, the ball
tossers would have had to keep indoors
and the workouts would have been de-
MED them.
There is no denying the fact that the
work in the gym has benefited the lads
to no small degree, for the pitchers were
able TO steam them over in the practice
held on Lambeth Field this afternoon
and only one or two are complaining of
sore arms.
The first weeks practice has served
10 make the boys familiar with each
other and in every way has been a big
help Notwithstanding the fact that the
lads worked in the open on two different
occasions, and then for a few minutes
only.
Grif has been able to get somewhat
what the catchers can do, and in many
ways is better qualified TO pass judg-
ment than If they had not been here.
The boys all realize that the task Of
picking the youngsters who will stick TO
the club will be a hard job. And they
are trying to make it all the harder. for
each and every one Of the six recruit
twirlers is putting up a mighty good ar
ticle of ball, and those who pass the
final muster will surely be ripe for big
company.
This morning a slight drizzie was fall
Ing, and Manager Grin ordered the boys
TO the gym, and fully an hour and
half was passed inside, and not a ball
thrown. The boss refused to allow the
lads to use a bail. and not one was
brought upstairs.
In the afternoon, Manager Griffith or
dered the lads outside. although little
rain was falling, and the ground was
soft and mushy. Grif is of the opinion
that a half hour in the open is worth
three in the gym, and on that principle
is working the men outside every chance
he gets. The pitchers did not let out
TO any great extent this afternoon, Dixie
Walker being the only one to uncOrk
2 few benders. The Alabama Beauty
pitched to Griff. who donned the big mitt
again. The twirlers all thought that they
had something on GriT when they start
ed pitching to him, not knowing that the
manager broke into baseball as a catch