The Washington times., 1912-03-10
GRIFFITH PLEASED
WITH YOUNGSTERS
4 PLANS BUSY WEEK
iSFirst Practice Game Is
Scheduled for Tuesday
Afternoon.
ENTIRE SQUAD OUT
. IN OPEN YESTERDAY
ALLEN Continues Smooth Work
~. And Looks Like Permanent
~. Fixture For Box.
By SENATOR"

"Cthat he Is satisfied with the work done
{" thus far Inclement weather has al
. lowed but two afternoons out of doors,
and there has been little or no oppor-
- tunity offered to the debutantes to show
just what they can do. However, the
best of hopes are entertained that prac-
& tice games will be (layed this week, the
- first one being due for Tuesday after
noon.
Our first week hasn't been wholly
wasted said Griffith this morning.
We've been able to do far more than
, many other big league teams farther
+ South. Look at the Yankees, housed for
n nearly a week by rain. Look at the
Tigers, and the Maps, they haven't had
much chance to work at all. while we
haven't wasted a single day since we
: got here. / am confident the work these
kids have done is bound to be felt
Two practice sessions were held yes
terday, in the gymnasium in the morn
ing and on Lambeth Field in the after
noon. The pitchers fooled around with
the medicine ball, and played basketball
IN the morning, Manager Griffith declin-
ing to let them work out their arms
indoors. Walker, Williams, Morgan,
, Ainsmith, and Henry took crack at
wrestling on the mat. and then the
whole bunch took a shower and rub
and hiked for dinner.
Ceased At Noon.
The rain ceased about noon, and the
entire squad trotted out upon Lambeth
g. Field in the afternoon for an hours
work in a bitter, cold wind. All the
pitchers warmed up, and then the eaten
ors and Cunningham and Morgan chased
= flies in the outfeld until they were tired.
Joe Boehling leaped into the limeliSht
= In the afternoons workout. He was
- warming up with Griffith, when the lat
ter told him to throw slow ball. To
: the managers amaZement, the Rich
= ,Inond amateur came back with just the
= very type of half fallaway that was
Cnce Griffith's chief dependence when
he was a stellar twirler in the big
? There's a great ball, if a pitcher
knows how to use it," said Griffith I'M
mediately. 1T Is thrown with the same
motion as the fast ball, and always has
.. the batter reaching for it. Boehllns
isn't strong enough yet to use it prop
erly, but when he gets in shape he ought
10 be able to do something with that de-
livery"
Then the Nationals manager proceed
ed to show Boehlng several little TWISTS
about delivering that slow ball success,
fully. The Cut-plug performer followed
directions to the letter, and when ne
quit for the afternoon had earned the
unqualified praises of Manager Griffith
Allen Still Shines.
= private John Allen continued his
smooth performance of the day before,
and took up much of Griffith's atten-
ton. Allen looks almost certain to earn
"A place with the Nationals this year. In
4 the first place. he is built for the Jop'
being big and bulky. His pitching mo-
tAon is fully as graceful as that OF wal
ter johnson himself, and there Is none
smoother. He has a fine tast pail anu
has attracted the attention OF all VINO
have seen him. Next week, II warm
weather sets in, the youngsters VIII De
allowed to practice their curves, and II
Allen shas curves to match the rest or
his assortment. he should shlne lolth
brighter, than all the rest.
''Husk" CashiOn is suffering from
severe cold, and was excused from 9 w9rK
in both sessions. The. huge Carolina
Curver' remained at Griffith Hall. read
ing the papers and waiting for the din-
mar bell to sound all day. In the even
fnH ne Felt we'll enough, though 10 take
short walk In town. Trainer MlquS
Martin is working on the big fellow ana
hopes to have him in uniform tomot-
The first weeks work indicates
marvellous improvement In the spirit Oh
the Nationals over that of last year.
There are no grouChy veterans TO
dampen the ardor of the recruits, ana
one and all have entered into the prac-
tice like freshmen out for college
team. Then, too. the buds are so young
that they just naturally are bubbnng
over with good spirits. and are STRIVING
to do their best on every occasion.
Perhaps the best of the Y0unsSterS Ill
the first week are "PTiVate john Allen
Jerry Akers, Buck Becker, and Paul
Musser Allen attracted attention the
first day. and has continued ever sinGe
He takes his training seriously. work
ing with might and main to get INTO
prime condition for the seasons hard
work No work is too hard for him.
and he warns up with great regularity,
always showing something worth watch
ing. Manager Griffith, Cy Riglcr. the
National League umpire and CoaCh OF
the Virginia team, and pop Lanni-
gan. director OF athletics at the uni
Nersity here, have noticed this young
steT's actions, and have commented fa-
Vorably upon them. Allen looks Ike a
stlCker this year.
Is Built Right
Jerry Akers has the physical proper
tions for a pitcher lie is tall and
husky, yet perfectly free in his move
ments He is a bit over weight, but
hard work is taking that off, and when
he reaches his proper condition and be-
gins to cut them loose, Manager Griffith
expects to see one Of the most proms-
ing of his recruits in action. .Akers was
one of the most reliable pitchers in the
Three-I League in 1911, and should have
some future in the big show under the
skilled directions of such a wizard as
Clark Griffith.
Allowing for a little shortncss Of wind,
Buck" Becker, the pride of the navy
yard, is in shape right now. This tail,
bony finger is whipping them across
with bursts OF speed that bring one )
memory to those golden days of sum
mer. lie has slight cold but is work
ing hard to stay with the team. and il
would not be surprising to see him land
a berth.
Paul Mussor is getting into shape
much after the fashion Of veteran
He never allows himself to work too