Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-26
NATIONALS GET
HOME TONIGHT
Conclude Period of Training in
Charlottesville With the
Workout Today.
EXHIBITION GAMES
TO BEGIN TOMORROW
Georgetown Is First Nine That
Will Be Met Here-Hughes
in Great Shape.
BY ]. ED GRILLo.

Special Dispatch to The Star
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, March Dc
The Nationals training season here
came to a close today. Griffith and his
players have sojourned here for the past
three weeks and during that time have
been able to do as much work as any
of the rivals in training in southern
ports. From this on, the remainder OF
the time before the season opens will be
spent in playing exhibition games against
National League and minor league clubs
Two weeks will be occupied in this way
the first of the exhibition games at home
being scheduled for tomorrow, when the
Georgetown College team opens the sea-
son.
Not only do these games furnish some
good base ball. but they tend to put The
team in the best possible condition for
the long anu strenuous season. All
things considered, Griffith's men have
pitchers are ready to work, while the
team Is hitting we'll and is showing
speed in the field and on the bases
With two weeks remaining before the
season opens there. is no reason why
the team. as whole, should not be in
tiptop shape to take its stand with the
others of the American League.
just nCW~Ereat Dall prayer bdlooiiero
Acosta will make in time is beyond con-
lecture. Today this sixteen-year-old
marvel is head and shoulders over just
about % per cent of the young
players who are brought up from the
minor leagues. though he is still far
from beng matured. Acosta has in-
proved wonderfully during the trainins
period here. Lots of practice and regular
work have made him just about 20
per cent better player than he was when
l. 1, ,rI
savors of the novice about the little
fellow He. goes through a ball game
like SCARED veteran. No situation dis
turbs him and major league environments
have no terrors for him, in which respect
he differs greatly from the young players
who come up after they have had sew
eral years experience in the minors.
BY the time the fall rolls around Acosta
will be ready to be considered for reg
ular position on the team. In fact, the
regular outfielders will have to look to
their laurels to keep him out of the
game before then. If there is any angle Of
the game at which thiaty oungster does not
shine it has not been demonstrated here.
He stands up well at the plate, TO begin
with. He has the knacS Of poking the
feet bunter. is fast and uses good judg-
ment on the. inside. In the field he is
nearly perfect. Fly balls are easy for him
and he picks up grounders like an in
arms than his. and with it all he is
mentally bright. Grif7ith seems to have
secured a prize in him.
lift was up to Griffith to decide today
on the pitcher best suited to work in the
opening game of fhe season he would
have to study a long while between john
son and Tom Hughes. None of the
twirlers is in better form than Hughes,
and he again demonstrated this fact dur
" N ~ cd a.
ALL the others have been hit more or less
at times In these exhibition games ex-
cepting Hughes. The old fellow is in
really fine form. But one hit. and that
lucky drive. married his record yester-
day. He had the heavy hitters of the
regulars eating out of his hand and
praising HIM as they left the plate.
Hughes seems to be the only one Of the
twirlers who daras to use all his stuff,
and his change of pace and big curve
absolutely had his opponents frantic dur
ing yesterdays game.
Jack Ryan will remain here to coach
Virginia, but he will report to Griffith
in Washington before the season opens.
Jim Shaw, the young Pittsburgh recruit
who Joined the team here few days
ago. will remain here with Ryan to be
instructed. Shaw did not touch a ball
from last fall until he came here. and he
Ia not ready to take his turn on the rub
Der. Ryan will see to it that he is fit and
ready within the next ten days or SO, and
will then bring him with him to Wash
ington. Young Shaw looks to be a
pitcher of a lot of ability. and he is to
.f+slse an early trial as soon as he is in
to give an account Of himself.
~-Acosta had a great day in the game
yesterday morning. He made five trips
to the plate. nit safely three times. walk
ed cnce and on the other occasion got his
base for being hit by a pitched ball. In
the field ..,e was everywhere. but his best
play was the picking up OF a hard-hit
single. and a perfect and fast throw to
the plate on which Moeller was caught
trying to score from second base.
In one inning Acosta absolutely caught
Gandil mapping. He was on first base
when a ball was hit into the inf1eld. He