The Washington herald., 1913-02-21
YOUNG RECRUITS
TO WORK OUTSIDE
Griffith will Send Youngsters
to Ball Park if Weather
Keeps Warm.
SQUAD BUSY in Y. M. c. A.
Southpaw Austin and Dent Make Fa.
vorable Impression-Engel Looks
Fit and Ready.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

Five Of the Nationals young pitchers,
including Joe Engel, of last years club.
tossed the ball around in the big Y. Nj.
{. A. gymnasium yesterday morning.
with Catchers AL Williams and Julius
Munich to do the receiving. The men
worked for one hour under the watchful
eve OF Trainer Mike Martin. officially
starting the 1919 baseball season of the
Washington club.
Manager Griffith was on hand for a
few minutes looking the boys over. and
remarked: They are a nice, clean look
ing set of youngsters. l hope every one
Of them makes good.
Grifr further stated that If the weather
was as warm and balnry as yesterday
he would have the recruits out of doors
next week at National Park. but having
lived in the Capital for more than a
year he realizes the queer tricks handed
cut by the weather man, and hardly e%-
pects to have his PLAYERS in the open be-
fore the time to report in Charlottes-
vile.
The new twirlers who worked out were
Victor Bickers. the Buffalo semi-pTo;
Bob Austin. the Wesleyan College
freshman; Buck Barton. the Capital
sandlotter, and Ed Dent. drafted from
the Newark club, of the International
League.
Austin. a southpaw, made the most
favorable impression. He has perfect
delivery. backed up by a lIo-pound frame.
and stands feet 10 inches. In action he
reminds one of Jesse Tannehill. There
is a smoothness about Austin's work
suggesting experience. yet he has never
been heard from outside of semi-pro and
college circles.
Austin was recommended by one OF
Grlrr's friends, who claimed the youngster
looked promising. and WAS worth trial:
so the Old Fox took chance
Ed Dent. in action. is a dead ringer
for Griff when the manager was in his
prime He takes a peculiar little step
lust before delivering the ball. and pos
sesses all the physical requirements of
a successful twirler. There is no doubt
about Dent having the stuff" as ball
players say and Griff believes the young
man may be useful to him before the
coming season closes.
Bickrrs is a veritable giant He looks
a if he could stand a whole lot Of
york. and with little coaching is sure
to improve his style of delivery. which
Is just a biz jerky.
Buck BARTON the smallest man Of the
crowd. although he is not little fellow
by a long shot. worked with his old
catching partner. Dutch Munich. and Big
AlVa Williams. Barton VIII he given
thorough trial in Charlottesville. and be
lieves he will convince Griff that 1t would
pay to carry him on the club pay roll
next season.
Joe Fn2cl. who has been coaching the
Business High School pitchers. was far
fher adNanccd in the matter of training
than any # in. others and took more
liberties Joe has added an inch to his
stature and fifteen pounds weight since
the 1871" season closed. and every little
,rhi'a fast ono with n hop" TO it,
landed in the hiG catchcr's init. Engel
is in grand shape right now and barrinE :
accidents will start off with the regulars
on the Nationals staff taking his turn
in the box.
The only absentees were Joe Boehling,
the Richmond snuth-paw. and Tom Dro-
han. the former kewaree finger
Ro-hling will he here to-day. and Drohan
is expected next Tuesday The last
named telegra phed Griff his mother was
jill and the Nationals manager replied