Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-07

noon The tennis courts are protected
from the wind, and being smooth and
level. furnished splendid opportunity to
indulge in bunting practice. All the
regulars took a hand at fielding hunts,
and though the thermometer was not much
over sixty. the exercise enabled them to
work up a good sweat. johnson, Groom
and Cashion all took good workouts, and
it was a matter of much comment that
Cashion displayed unusual control. The
big fellow absolutely believes that he has
mastered command of the ball. He says
that he can put 1t wherever he wants to,
and If this develops to be a fact when
he gets to pitching in games. he will
do much to solve the pitching problem.
which has been a source Of much specula-
ton during the off season.
johnson and Groom, Of course, can be
relied upon Both are taking matters
rather easy, now waiting for the warmer
weather to come around, but there is no
evidence of any bitches in their pitching
arms, and all they appear to need is time
to timber up and strengthen their whips.
To date none of the pitchers has let
out his arm. Curving Is absolutely
prohibited and will be kept under the ban
until the weather moderates. Then some
of the young fellows will be given a
chance to display what they have in the
line of deceivers, but until then the
principal object Of their work is to get
their wind and strengthen their arms.
Harry Wellchonce is confined to his
room with q serious cold and 1t may be
several days before he will be able to re-
sumo practice. though his condition was
somewhat improved this morning.
Calvo and Acosta saw their first snow
yesterday morning. While at practice
on Lambeth field few flakes came to the
ground. Acosta was particularly inter-
ested, picking them up for examination.
Calvo. on the other hand, feared them
and wanted to know If 1t would not be
best to go indoors while the snow was
falling.
The chances are that only the young
pitchers will be worked against the Vir-
ginia college team Saturday. This will
be the Nationals first game and Griffith
may not put single one Of his regulars
in the race. Being anxious to see his
kids in action he will play them in sew
eral of the games against Virginia here.
The prediction made by Vice President
Barnard Of the Cleveland club that the
Maps would beat out the Nationals, whom
he picks to finish fourth created lot of
amusement among some of the players.
In view of the fact that Cleveland won
only two games from Washington last
season, the Maps have no terrors for the
Nationals. While 1t Is admitted that the
Cleveland team looked considerably
stronger last fall than earlier In the sea-
practice Of that team to make a winning
squirt after the race Is virtually over only
to duplicate its poor performance the fol-
lowing season. II Barnard Is inclined to
take a chance with his money he can be
accommodated for most any amount II he
will communicate with the members OF
the Washington team.
Griffith is to be congratulated on the
clean-cut. well-behaved lot Of players he
has under his charge. Last season he
had the best dispositioned and behaved
team that ever graced a ball field. and
the newcomers from all appearances
seem to fit in well with the old players.
They are well-mannerd lot, and II the
Agricultural Department Is experiment.
ing to develop fiat peas, which are guar
anteed not to roll off knife. 1t Is not to
prevent this practice in the local camp.
While it still remains to learn whether
Henry's knee is strong. again. that not
being possible to determine until he gives
1t a strenuous trial, all indications are
that the Nationals will again be blessed
with the best catching staff In the league
Ainsmith Is perfectly healthy again. In
fact. he Is vulgarly so. while that stitch
disappeared as a result OF his treatment
by Bonesetter Reese. whom he visited at
his home in Youngstown last winter.
Barring accident these three catchers
should be able to do all the teams catch
ing and do it well.
There Is not any question that the
training period through which ball play
ers have to go every spring Is the most
strenuous of their entire careers in the
vail for the first ten days or two weeks
and to have to practice for three or
four hours every day when one does not
feel able even to stretch his legs Is not