Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-20


The system of play works much more
smoothly than 1T did, and the players
go about their work with twice the
confidence they had in the last cam
paign. There is no way to figure the
team out of the race. 1t may De
beaten, but the teams which hnlsh
higher I'm the race are sure to be
badly battered lot.
When the greatest catchers now In
the game are being considered tneIe
is not a chance to forget Eddie Am
smith. In fact it is questionable II
there is his equal in either major
league, If his work in the three games
here can be taken as criterion; ~
only is Ainsmith catching remarhapie
ever, while he is hitting like nehu
and showing real speed on the bases.
Griffith made an assertion tomgnt
which will probably cause lot or ols
pute, and yet 1T was the expression ~
an honest opinion. What Griffith salo
was that even the great Archer OF
the Chicago Cubs was not in the same
class with Ainsmith. and that is about
the greatest compliment that maj
ager could pay player. for Archer
has long since been CONSIDERED the
greatest Of backstops
Either Engel or Gallia will pitch the
final game here Monday. Grilnth leeis
certain that either one OF them can
win from the Yankees. On Iuesday
Groom will open the series against
Boston. and Wednesday Walter john
son will make his third appearance
of the season on the SLAP: iheh VIZ 80
come Tom Hughes most likely, ana II
Engel shows good form III ine .o
here Monday he may be selected 10
pitch the final game against the fteu
SoX. This arrangement OF the pltch-
ers would allow Johnson to pitch the
opening game in Philadelphia next
Saturday.
New York critics and fans have peen
very much impressed by the work OF the
Nationals in the series here. or course
the team has not been against very
strong foe yet its work has STOOD out
so far above that Of its opponents that
it's general strength is recognized WHAT
impresses folks here most Is the idCt
that Griffith has his players hustllns all
the time There is not let-up, regard
less of what the score may be. Its sys-
TEN of play varies so Rpuch that it usually
has the opposition under a strain and
this has made it possible for them TO
score runs, when a less aggressive team
would have failed. Then, too. it's defense
is simply superb. while the spirit among
the players is of the very best
Manager Chance shifted Hal Chase to
first base today and sent Mckechnle to
second. This switch probably means that
Chance has been convinced that Chase
is not a second baseman But it does
not mean that Chance will not play first
as soon as he is able, and that should
be very soon. He will occupy the bag
as soon as his leg heals. but the chances
are that Chase will be sent to one of the
outfield positions while Mckechnie, who
played good game at second today, will
be kept in that position This combna-
ton looks much more formidable than
= = ~ x--s4t, ~, l.
game himself much Improvement is ex-
pected from the team.
a change has been made in the Ma
tionals' schedule. The present arrange
ments forces the team to make jump
from st. Louis to Cleveland July II and
another August 20. 1t is found that the
Jump is difficult one to make. because
the game has to be started very early
in order to make the train, and so Pres
dent Johnson has Cancelled the two games
and instead has given the Nationals
June ID and August II in Cleveland. both
Of which are Sundays.
Ray Morgan's playing in the games
has been far below his standard He has
not hit anything like he should. and his
fielding has been far from satisfactory.
Morgan blames it ON the local grounds,
which are the hardest in either circuit
to see on. The high grandstand throws
season of the year, and as this furnishes
a dark background for all the feeders it
undoubtedly has been a handicap. The
hitting. too, is hindered because of the
bleachers in center field. Morgan prom
Uses to show much Improvement as soon
as he gets away from here, and this will
probably be necessary If he hopes to
hold his position at second base resu-
larry.
JoIo I.
rather uncomfortable position in the sixth
inning. when he had two on and none out,
it was a picture TO see him prepare him
self for the crucial test He raised his
long arms high over his head, brought
them to his breast and then sent the ba l.!
with full force toward the plate. 1t was
| undoubtedly difficult for the batters to
see the shere as it came toward them.
for in nearly every instance the batter
missed the ball by feet. and did not
swing until it was lodged in Ainsmith' s
mitt. Johnson's speed was terrific at
this stage and his control was perfect
In fact. all during the game he kept
the ball away from the plate. but few
times it was usually straight through
the center. and this resulted in "a great
many fouls. for the batters. knowing
that his control was perfect, allowed
few balls to pass them without swinging
When Johnson struck out the side in
the sixth. he was given a genuine ova-
ton. The crowd stood UP and applauded
as lie walked to the bench.
Playing on the Polo Grounds has made
a wonderful difference in the attendance
at the American League games, here.
The Nationals have played to the neigh
borhood of $4,000 people In three games.
and as the number of bleacher tickets
| sold is comparatively few, their share
| of the gate receipts has run away up.
Today there We're over $1,000 in attend
ance.
| GandiI gave a splendid exhibition of
| fielding in the seventh inning. when he
made two wonderful pich-ups of low
! throws. Foster was the first one to shoot
F.! a wide. low throw to fist. after pick
ing up Hartzelrs grounder Gandl
reached out and came up with the ball
A moment later Mcbride was hurried on
| a throw after picking up Cree's drive,
Gil reached out and made perfect pick
up.
J AS bash running team the Nationals
| are on a fair way to lead the league
| field. In the three games played here the
team has pilfered fourteen bases, which
| speaks we'll for its speed Griffith has his
| PLAYERS taking all kinds of chances. and
| il is this fact which makes their games
| look decidedly picturesque.
which was unquestionably wrong In the
| fourth inning when Shanks hit to Young
| the latter threw far over Sweeney's head
scoring Morgan. Shanks reached third