Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-21
GR|FF WANTS A
HOLD ON ALLEN
Nationals Manager Sees Too
Much Promise in Him to Let
Player Go to Boston.
JOHNSON AND GROOM
READY RIGHT NOW
Both in Shape to Pitch Cham
pionship Games-Henry's
Hurt Is Trivial.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Special Dispatch to The Star
CHARLOTTESVILLE Va, March q.
There is a hitch in the deal which was
to have sent Outfielders Allen and Sheer
to the Boston Nationals. Griffith has
changed his mind about Allen He sees
enough in the youngster from Sharon to
justify his keeping some sort of a string
on him, for he may develop into major
league class within a year He has.
therefore. decided not to turn him over to
the rival league club, but proposes to
farm him to some minor league club,
Where he will have a chance to develop
and from which the Washington club can
recall him in the fall
Having failed in his effort to get Allen
manager Stallings does not seem anx-
lous to carry out the other end of the ar
rangement and take Sheer, so that the
entire matter may be dropped nv both
eiuos. What makes Aliens chances for
development look good is the fact that he
is very fast on his feet, hits well and
handles himself like a ball player. so
urlinth has concluded that he is too
He figures that If Allen can be placed
somewhere where he Is played regularly
and In his own class he will develop
within year. and that he can then
recail MIN in the spring and have another
look at him.
jim Shaw, the Pittsburgh recruit wired
Manager Griffith this morning that he
would report here at once Many good
things are being said of Shaw. who was
quite sensation in semi-pro circles about
pittsburgh last season. Frank Smith, the
Ola White Sox pitcher now with Mon
treai, says that he is counterpart of
wafer johnson and that he stands a
sooa cnance of making good with the
Nationals.
That both Johnson and Groom are
ABOUT ready to pitch championship ball
was demonstrated by them in the game
Yesterday afternoon, when the two
hooked up in five-inning struggle, in
winch neither side scored. Johnson
worked for the Colts and allowed but
Two hits, neither of which was clean
cut. The big fellow displayed ali his
remarkable speed without making an an
parent effort, and seemed to grow better
as the game progressed. What was true
OF Johnson was also true of Groom, who
Tor the first time this spring cut loose
ana mixed up lot of curves and speed.
Groom gets into shape quicker than the
average pitcher and he is just rounding
into his best form
Griffith is jubilant over the way his
pitchers are showing up, and he is con-
fdent that he will open the season with
their end.
The rest of the team, too is coming
nicely, and needs only an abundance of
batting practice to improve it's hitting.
weather such as is prevailing here now
could not be improved upon. 1t was like
July day out on the field yesterday
afternoon. and the players had a regular
sWeat-out. which is always of the great
est benefit during the training period.
broken into the game in recent years,
but the little fellow is a bit overanxious
when at the plate and is apt to hit at
many bad balls. Griffith has taken him
in charge and is trying to correct this
fault. If Calvo would wait and hit only
at balls that he stood a chance to meet
he would be one of the best hitters on
the team right now. He will, of course.
get over this habit in time.
Joe Gedeon is sure to become very pop
ular with patrons Of the game in Wash
ington, because of the splendid spirit he
displays. Gedeon is one of those players
who play the game for the pleasure he
wants to be in every play. while he is
also one of the best hustlers in the squad.
Chick Gandil showed no signs of being
handicapped by his lame back in yester-
days game. He was all over the infield
doing his share and his batting was hard
and clean-cut. What Chick needs is
warm weather. and now that he is get
ting 1t the Improvement in his playing is
decidedly marked. Gandil is sure to be
of great help to the team again, not only
because of his ability as a fielder, but he
is a most dangerous hitter. He figures
that he will even hit better this year
than last, for he says he has learned
much OF the major league style of pitch
ing since joining the team.
There is always lot of anxiety ex-
pressed by the players who oppose Walter
Johnson when he is pitching that he is
doing too much work. They plead with
Griffith to take him out for fear that he
may hurt himself and make all sorts of
excuses. The fact of the matter is that
the players do not relish the idea of
standing. up before Johnson's terrific
speed in practice. Most Of them stand