Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-03-13
GRIFFITH IN SEARCH
Of SECOND BASEMAN.
Washington Manager Anxious
to Secure Player Like Pratt,
Of st. Louis.

charlottesville, Va. March 10---In an
effort to secure a second baseman
along the lines of Pratt, who proved
sensation with the ST. Louis Browns
last season, Manager Griffith has al
ready instructed Scout Mike Kahoe to
leagues this summer Griffith would
give more for Pratt than any young
player In the American league He
thinks he has the making of a really
great player and figures that he would
fit into his team perfectly. Pratt not
Only Is dangerous hitter. but he fields
ms position Well for a beginner, and is
improving rapidly. There is. of course.
no chance to secure Pratt from st.
Louis, where his value is appreciated
but Griffith believes that ii is not im-
possible to find a player among the
MINOR leagues who will eventually be
his equal.
kahoe is to devote all this time this
summer in search of such a player
Griffith realizes that he. is none too
Well fortified at second base. though
Morgan may prove a real surprise in
that position if he hits as he did at
times last summer Should Morgan
fall down with the stick Laporte will
be shifted to the place for there is no
doubt about his hitting proclivities.
Griffith rs certain to carry one OF the
young catchers through the coming
season, Either Munich or Egan, which
ever shows the best form; will be kept
on lhe team to help out Henry Ain
smith and Williams in the event of
emergency. Three catchers ought to
be able to do all the work, but ait one
stage last season Williams was the
only available man, and had he met
/ With mishap the team would have
6een without backstop. Griffith
| does not propose to be caught in that
| sort OF predtcament again. and one OF
| the youngsters is sure to be retained
SO that lie will have. four catchers
throughout the season
Experienced Catcher Valuable.
The value of an experienced catcher.
even though he has reached that stage
4 Where he can no longer be active in
the game. is appreciated by every man
lager. Nearly every club in the two
major leagues carries such man for
the benefit of its young pitchers.
\ Wilherts Robinsons whom McGraw
has carried for several years. is given
credit for developing both Tesreau and
1 Marquaid into stars. Detroit carries
both Joe sugden and Jim MCGUIRE,
while the Boston Red Sox have Char
lev Farrell Over in ST. Louis the
/ Browns have Lou Criger. while the
Cardinals will be helped along by
/ Heine PETIT.
4 Jack Ryan fills similar. position
4
doubt that he had much to do with the
improvement Bob Groom and Carl
Cashion displayed last season.
1t Is not SO much what pitcher has
as his knowledge how to use it which
brings about success In pitching, and
these old catchers who have seen many
wears in the game make splendid
teachers
if a young pitcher needs nothing
more than development to make him d
success he stands a better chance, per-
.I7haps. with the Nationals than with any
other team. Aside from the assistance
that Jack Ryan may give him. the fact
i should not be overlooked that Clark
i Griffith was master of the art
7, Much OF his success was due to his
tstrategy.. Fortunately for the local
butchers Griffith has the, ability to
Iimpart knowledge of pitching to 9TH
ers. There was a general improve
ment in the pitching of the local staff
4 last season. due largely to the teaQh-
ings of Ryan and Griffith