Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-03
GR|FF AND SQUAD
LEAVE TOWN TODAY
Nationals Manager and Batch
of Recruits Depart for
Charlottesville.
YOUNGSTERS ARE
LIKELY LOOKING LOT
AIva Williams Pleased With
His Berth Here-Knight
Makes Foolish Move.
BY J. ED GRILLo.

At II o'clock this morning South
ern Railway train will pull out of the
Union Station with twelve young
athletes aboard who are expected to do
their share toward giving Washington
a ball team of which it's citizens may
well be proud. While this will be the
first squad, made up mostly of young
players who are seeing their first trial
in fast company, there is no doubt
that much depends on them. If 1t
should be Griffith's luck that several
of these players prove their ability to
hold their own there is no doubt Of
his success the very first season Of
his regime here.
In the party will be Pitchers Becker,
Engel, Musser, Allen, Aker and Guy john
son; Catchers Ainsmith. Henry and
Williams, and Infielders Cunningham
and Morgan. AT Charlottesville these
will be Joined by Clarence Walker
Dixie Walker. Bob Groom, Long,
Cashion and Boehling, bringing the
total up to eighteen.
1t was a husky lot of youngsters
which gathered in Manager Griffith's
office yesterday afternoon. Every one
OF the new men has size. and looks
the seasoned athlete. Manager Griffith
introduced his charges and gave them
such instructions as are necessary re-
garding what they will be expected to
take to Charlottesville with them in
the way Of paraphernalia. and Incl
dentally complimented the youngsters
on their apparent splendid condition.
There are no giants among the new
pitchers. though all of them are hefty
lads who. when they are matured, are
major league pitcher. Guy Johnson is
the shortest one of the lot, but what
he lacks in height he makes up in
width. He is a husky youngster, and
sional experience. he believes he knows
enough OF the art to make good.
Musser, Akers and Allen look as il
they were ready to go full nine in
nings whenever asked to. all being in
apparent splendid condition.
Alva Williams, recently secured from
Boston, was among the arrivals.
mad rallied to come to terms with the
Boston club, it took Manager Griffith
just about two minutes to get his sig
nature to contract Williams was
very reasonable in his demands, and
incidentally pleased with his new
berth.
guess I was the most surprised
mann IN the world when ! received
to report here" said Williams II was
hunting in Arkansas and had not seen
a paper, SO did not know that / had
Inquired in deal am Well pleased
with the arrangements and / think :
VIII give satisfaction. 1 am in fine
shape and l know that I can make
good il ! am allowed to catch instead
OF being switched from one position to
another
Bob Groom was to have reported here
yesterday, but instead a letter came from
MN 10 Manager Griffith stating that ne
had heard from Walter Johnson and ar
ranged to meet him Wednesday and come
on here together. Manager Griffith.
however. did not take kindly to this ar
rangement and wired Groom to report at
Charlottesville Monday johnson is
not expected to report until a week from
To-Day. and Griffith could not figure where
Groom was going to be benefited by not
reporting as soon possible.
Jack knights decision not to report un-
III April q In order to continue his study
OF dentistry only goes to show the me-
culiartties of ball players Base ball. un-
doubtedly, made 1t possible for knight to
take up this study. 1t is beyond doubt
ms greatest source of revenue. and bar
ring accident he can make more out Of
base Dali during the remainder of his
career than he will out of the practice of
dentistry in lifetime and vet ne seems
TO consider base ball as a sort Of a side
issue An occupation which nets an in
six months is certainly worthy OF his
strictest attention. and knights conduct
IN insisting that he not report until after
the team has nearly finished it's training
Is sure not TO have Nhe effect of making
him popular here. 1t may. of course all
be for the best for while knight Is
studying dentistry some one Of the
hustling youngsters who is out for a reg
hiar JOB on the team may get the OPP
portunity Ito convince Griffith that he is
the right man for the place
II Is limited that one reason for Wolver-
ton parting with knight was that he did
not want to make the training trip. He
suggested to knight that IL he is not in
player to give himself thorough prepa-
ration in the spring ii would be best
Tor him to bid the game adieu.
II the weather is such that the first
squad can start to work out Monday
light work win be INDUCED in every day
during the remainder Of the week, but
next Saturday Griffith will give the word
To cut loose. and he expects on that &C.
casion to get fairly good idea OF the
ability of the various recruits.
Il figure said Griff, that after those
Young fellows have about Ave days OF
work they will have rounded into
good enough form to allow them to GU,
loose That will be about next Saturday
If the weather is right. and I believe tina,
i can tell whether any of them are lack.
ing in stuff right there and then. though
l do not mean to say that will decide
a Youngsters future with so little q trial
All i hope for Is a stretch Of good wealth.
er so that the boys can take their regu
lar workouts and / will be satisfied
Though Joe Engel. the Washington boy
Is the Youngest of any Of Gridith's re-
cruits, he has something on his rivals
in the matter of size. sEngel has all the
earmarks of making one Of the biggest
pitchers in the game. He lowered ovei
most of the youngsters when they stood
together yesterday. q fact which impress.
ed Griffith. who believes that the loca
boy stands a good chance to make good
Griffith is perhaps better qualified t.
pass on the ability of Jack Flynn thar
any one else hereabouts for the reason
that he saw Flynn play one whole season
against his Cincinnati team. Griffith an
nounced some time ago that Flynn. would
be started at first base and kept there
tcontinAed on Second Pase.l