The Washington times., 1912-03-07
Sun Makes First Appearance
T., At Charlottesville
l. J., i In Days.
YOUNGSTERS SIT UP AT
GROOM'S DELIVERY
Walter Johnson Due To Arrive in
-, South Next Sum-
lALise. day.
BY SENATOR"


T-Under the influence of brooms and
shovels welded by a dozen stalwart
sons Of Ham, Lambeth Field is today
ready for the first outdoor practice of
the season of 1912 for the Nationals.
To add joy to the countenances of all
the sun, a weak, sickly chap, showed
his face this morning and Manager
Griffith declared, that If the day be-
came warm enough later on, the squad
might have their first workout on turf
today. However. it seems almost a GER
tainty that the players will be initiated
into the mysteries of outdoor work to-
morrow
while this gymnasium work is good
OF its kind" says Manager Griffith, I'D
rather have the boys outdoors, and the
moment it looks good enough, out they
go. There's a chance of their going out
this afternoon. The field needs only
a couple of hours of sun to dry enough
for our purposes"
Sir Robert Groom, the elongated, at
tenuated, toothpick twirer who re-
ported last night with a suitcase, trunk
check and a sore toe, was given his
first workout today. Owing to his ex-
tremely wide delivery, Groom has
youngsters in the gymnasium. Bobby
takes up enough room for three or
dinary pitchers. and Johnson, Musser,
and Allen had to rest while he was go
Ing through the motions.
"Walter Johnson will not come
down until Sunday with the Others,
says Groom. He came from st.
Louis with me and has some work
for dentist in Washington. lie
figures he will be all ready by the
end OF the week. He looks pretty
good right now"
The rockies are all anxious to get
outdoors, several developing stiff
legs from running on the board ira elk
in the gymnasium. Ray Morgan and
Alva Williams are particularly stiff
and have to be we'll rubbed by Mike
Martin before they start their work
Next week we'll be on the dia-
mond," says Griffith. 'and the in
felders will have more opportunit"
to work. Here in the gym there is
hardly room for the pitchers. but
Morgan and Cunningham are develop
ing their wind and their eyes any
way"
Ray Morgan, the wizard inhelder from
Baltlmo, means to brush up in his stick
work in the hopes of beating out al
candidates for that farthest corner OF
the infeld this summer. and his entire
effort is to trim his batting lamps.
Today he started in from the jump tc
hit back merry Founders at the wide
line of twirlers, left and right-handcls :
who served them up to him, and he had
TO be ordered away from the willow By
Manager Griffith before he would take
his place on the floor for some fielding
practice.
Batting Bee For Morgan.
Yesterdays workout was but a bat
ting bee for Morgan. He stood UP tc
an imaginary plate and mashed wicked
liners, devilish, dancing FOUNDERS aid
neat, but lazy bunts back at the steam.
ing pitchers. His loud laugh could be
heard with every crack of the bat and
he hit them back so fast at the pitch
ers and hit them in 50 many directions
that he drove all the mere spectators
off the floor in fear of their lives.
III In to make this team. I've Just
get &c hit better than the other cardi-
dates" says Morgan. "That's why I'm
starting early TO get my batting eye in
condition. That's why I'm here this
week Instead of waiting until next week.
| know that hitters make good in the
big league and that practice makes per
feet. The combination is what I'm try,
ing for.
I'm not very big, but there have beer
many good little men in baseball. That's
what | want TO be, good little man
i think can take care of the heldina
end of the game, all right, it's only
the hitting end that Is worrying me-"
Ready Tc Play.
Morgan tips the beam at I53 hounds
and is about in playing condition. In.
deed, he is likely to put on little
weight by the time The season opens
He Is tending strictly to business anc
is one of the most energetic lads il
the squad.
A dreadful creaking sound is echo
ing daily from the classic halls of Fay,
crweather gymnasium. 1t serves to at,
tract dozens Of students, curious tc
learn its cause 1t draws smiles from
Clark Calvert Griffith and grimaces OF
pain from "Massa John" Henry, ct al.
youngsters striving for regular place,
under the big tent.
Why this CreaKing noise? And wher,
from? From the youngsters, as aforc
said, and from their bones and Joints
Such d racket has ueV"r been heard il
this sleepy little hamlet since a lot O
fellows in blue were peggiuS away at ;
lot more fellows in buttcInut in tIu
ne!shburing hills.
Every little movement has a shooting
pain all its own,' says Sir Tomassr
Hughes, lengthy twlrler and lonely vet
eraT of the bunch. Sometimes, in tn
night, l wake up and tind my ear tn
only part of me without Il pain or al
ache
MY legs never seemed such biz
part of me before in all my life" grin
Jerry Akcrs. Prom running on tn
track upstairs in that confounded gym
] can hardly walk
Sore All Over.
"Wow, I'm sore all over" says A
Williams, reaching to borrow Tor
Hughes package of scraps" IF thi
pain means I'm getting in shape, III b
glad when l reach that goal It's prov
ing long, hard road, I'm telling YOU.
Preliminary practice has now reache