Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-03
WILL PICK TRAINING
PLACE At ONCE
Griffith to Decide Within Next
Few Days Where Players
Will Practice.
HENRYS OPERATION NOT
TOBE OF SERIOUS NATURE
T0| PendIeton Said to Have
Decided Not to Become
Professional.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Within the next few days it will be
definitely decided where the Nationals
VIII do their sspring training. Manager
Grlfth will pay q final visit to Char
lottesville shortly, and, if possible make
the necessary arrangements for the hous-
ing and feeding Of his players. He con-
tends that there is still a good chance for
charlottesville to be chosen but he wants
TO come to a decision at once, so that If
Charlottesville is not chosen some other
town will be-
Time is growing short for the selection
of training places and Griffith wants to
get this important matter off of his
hands. There are any number of towns
m the south where the Nationals would
be welcomed, but many Of these do not
have grass diamonds and for this reason
are not desired. A ball team which prac-
tees on a skinned infield finds that it has
to go through an entirely different course
Of practice when it returns to grass dia-
monds Not only is the work Of the in
fielders different, but a skin diamond af-
fects the pitching. for the ball does not
remain smooth. Griff wants a grass in
field to practice on. and no city which
cannot offer this inducement will be con-
sidered.
According to the surgeons who exam
ined John Henry's injured knee, the op-
GRAFTON which will cure his trouble will
be rather simple affair.
Cocaine will be used. and it is figured
that it will require but very few min
utes to remove the floating cartilage.
Manager Griffith proposes to witness the
operation. and 1t is believed that within
two weeks Henry will be able to move
about. No definite time for the opera
ton has been set as yet, but it is likely
that Henry will go under the knife either
Saturday or Sunday.
From New York comes the story that
"Tol' Pendleton. the Princeton base ball
and foot ball star, has decided not to
turn professional and therefore has de-
clined the numerous offers he received
from major league clubs.
to secure Pendleton. Pendleton. in fact,
gave Griffith his word some time ago
that if he decided to play ball he
would give the Washington club first
chance at his services.
''Tol' has distinguished himself as a
foot ball and base ball player during his
career at Princeton. Keane Fitzpatrick.
trainer of the track team, once stated
that If Pendleton would train he could
equal, and possibly break. the world
fastest man he has ever seen.
The fact that Hal Chase is left-hand-
ed tnrower has caused him to be elimi-
mated from consideration as a possible
second baseman Of the Highlanders in
the event that Frank Chance should de-
eide to hold down first base next. season.
Chase, however, insists that he can play
the position and in fact yearns for a
chance to show that he can fill the bill.
I'm the first place." said Chase. II do
not think that would have any trouble
in playing second base, in spite of the
fact that I am a left handler. There is
a mistake, according to my opinion. about
left handlers playing the second cushion.
1t Is up to the man himself 1 played
the bag in Boston, Washington and
and satisfied myself that
would not have any trouble in taking
care of the bag.
II have a way of getting the ball away
on any kind of plays just as well as the
fellow who throws the ball with his right
hand ! would not attempt to play sec
ond base if 1 did not think 1 could get
away with the job. There have been
very few left-handers who have tried to
play second base, but l am one player