The Washington herald., 1912-03-05
Griff's Young Players May
Work Outdoors This After
noon on College Field.
M'BRIDE HERE TO-DAY
Johnson and Groom Due to Arrive
Wednesday-All the Train.
ing Camp Gossip.
by c. W. SWAN.

Cnarlottesviile, Va, March 4.-'1I the
Sun comes out strong tomorrow and the
air Is warm, viii take the boys out
on the diamond for little while in the
afternoon" said Manager Clark Griffith
tonight. Morning practice, however.
viii be confined to gym work. but want
them out in the air as soon as possible.
and the college boys tell me the snow
disappears quickly down here"
Lambeth Field drains easily, and the
turf is unusually thick: so the chances
are that the young Nationals will get a
chance to show what they can do in the
open tomorrow afternoon.
Manager Griffith stated that George
Mcbride would reach Washington to-mor-
row and had been oredered to round up
the main squad. which will report here
next Sunday afternoon.
Walter johnson and Bob Groom are
due in the Capital Wednesday. The lat
ter will go at once TO Charlottesville. and
Johnson may accompany him, as Grif
has told him to come down before the
big squad, If ne sees fit.
When johnson and Groom report the
complete roster of twirIers will be on
hand, there being an even dozen under
contract.
Dixie Walker has q slight cold in his
arm, which does not amount to a great
deal, as to-day was the first real work of
the season for the majority OF the crew,
and a few sore arms are to be expected.
Charlottesville is still under a mantle
OF white, although the snow is rapidly
melting and slush is taking its place
Mud greets the athletes on every hand,
and the majority of them preferred to
stay at the Hotel Griffith tonight rather
than ventured downtown.
Tho proposed bowling match between
two pairs Of doubles will not take place
as arranged. for the simple reason that
The noble town of Charlottesville does
not boast OF a bowling alley. Buck"
Becker, captain of the Washington pair,
is broken-hearted over the verdict, but
says that he will take the other pair on
when the team returns home.
Williams and Henry got the worst of
tie whist argument to-day. but they
swear to be revenged, and the play will
continue.
Early this morning the Nationals made
a trip downtown, as outdoor work was
cut Of the question. and the boys had to
buy gym shoes. Grin purchased enough
20 go around. and the long hike back
TO the Hotel Griffith was on. The snow
was melting fast. and the walk was
through mud and slush.
Grabbing their uniforms, which had
been given out by Manager Griffith after
breakfast, the lads hustled across the
hill TO Fayerweather gymnasium, where
they had nearly two hours of stiff work,
including a iaunt around the track, said
jaunt led by the veteran hurler OF the
staff Long Tom Hughes
Starting of easy. the twirlers had their
arms swinging free in a short while and
the plunk OF the ball hitting the big mitt
was heard outside the gym when they
put on a little steam. GrifT would not
allow them 70 work too hard, and soon
called a halt.
Jay Carl Cashion, the giant from Car
olina, is in good condition. barring
slight spike cut On his ankle, received in
n practice game in Charlotte, " c., last
week. He has been working out daily
for the past two weeks. and is ready to
go in and pitch a game at a minutes
notice.
Grin is greatly pleased with the ap-
pearance Of this big youngster, and spent |
most Of his time watching Carl toss the |
pill to Henry and Ainsmith
Another lad who was closely watched |
by Grin was Joe Engel, the Washington |
youngster. Engel has a free, easy mo-
tion that won him 4 place in the boss |
eyes at once, and when he started to |
shoot over few fast ones. Griff was |
heard TO remark that Engel looked |
mighty good. Joe has the build that !
goes with 4 winning pitcher in the big .
show. being tail and rangy. His work |
to-day was light, but he showed that=
there is plenty of the real stun UP his \
sleeve. Joe has taken good care of him
self this winter, and is now ready for the |
gong.
Alva Williams, the latest addition to
the Nationals receiving section Of the /
ball club. looked mighty sweet In the
short workout this morning. Williams
Is q big fellow, weighing close to the
80 mark, but is unusually fast and
quick on his feet.
He handled several of the young Mitch
ers in first-class style, shooting the p;lI
back and showing that old pep" that
made him favorite with the Bean.
town fans.
about an hour, Grif sent them around
the track dozen times or SO, and then
had them steam out Bill Cunningham,
Ray Morgan, John Henry. Eddie Aims
smith, AlYa Williams, and Griff himself
nduiged in a little bunting practice, the
boss doing the bunting to Williams.
Morgan, and Cunningham and Henry
1oing ihe tapping TO Ainsmith and
Becker.
Williams and Ainsmith were the life
u the party, time and again pulling
little fancy stunts that kept the crowd
of town boys and college youths on the
ump. Williams is sure to make a Ia
rorGble Impression on the Washington
lans, as he is fast and works hard all
he time.
After the twirlers had quit for the !,
lay. Henry the Amherst colieeian: Ed
lie 4insmith, Bill Cunningham, who,
y the way, Is one OF the best basket
all players IN the camp. and Alva
Il Niillams ssecured a. basket-baU from =
Pop" Lanigan, the University of Viz
;infa's weil-known director of athletics,
md worked a while az the cage game.
senry and Cunningham showed that
hoy were familiar with. this sport as
veil as baseball and when, they had
nlshed with the big bail the receivers
we're blowing Just a little. u
Long Tom Hughes was the first on the {
rack ard circled IT close on to twenty