Evening star., 1913-02-26
Griffith Anxious to Secure a
Player Like Pratt of
St. Louis.
WILLIAMS HAS NEVER
MADE A HOME RUN
Value of Veteran Catcher Is
Appreciated by Manager.
Latest Base Ball Gossip.
BY j. ED GRILLO.

In an effort to secure second baSenan
along the lines of Pratt. who proved a
sensation with the st. Louis Browns last
season. Manager Griffith has already in
>tructed Scout Mike Kahoe to make a
thorough search OF the minor leagues this
summer. Griffith would give more for
Pratt than any young player i'll the
..merican League. lie thinks he has the
making of really great player and fig
ures that he would lit into his team per-
fectly. Pratt not only is dangerous
hitter. but he fields his position we'll 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 il
is not impossible to find a player among
the minor leagues who will eventually be
bis equal
Kahoe is to devote all his time this
summer in search of such a player. Grif-
fith realizes that he is none too we'll for
tilted 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
l.aporte will be shifted to the place. for
there is no doubt about his hitting
proclivities
Alva Williams has a most peculiar rec
ord. Though an excellent hitter. Alva
has never made home run in his pro-
fossional career. There are numerous
extra base hits in his record. but he has
never experienced the honor OF making
a circuit drive. When he has hit the ball
hard enough to make home run posi-
bic some outfelder has always performed
u circus feat and caught the ball, and the
long hits which have gone out of reach
have never been far enough to allow him
IN 20 no haS hppn
professional player for eight years.
Griffith is certain to carry one of the
young catchers through the coming sea-
son. Either Munich or Egan, whichever
shows the best form, will be kept on the
team to help out Henry, Ainsmith and
Williams in the event of emergency.
Three catchers ought to be able to do all
the Wort. bIs at one stage last season
Williams MA., t,le only available man,
and had "a :. ct with mishap the
team woci,. been without back
stop Gr-!mt.i does not propose to be
again. and one of the youngsters is sure
10 be retained. so that he will have four
catchers throughout the season.
The value of an experienced catcher.
even though he has reached that stage
where he can no longer be active in the
game. is appreciated by every manager.
Nearly every club i'll the two major
iedSues carries Suci d man ioi 'he pehe
fit of its young pitchers.
Nilbert Robinson, whom McGraw mas
carried Tor several years, Is given creult
for developing both Tesreau and Mar
guard into stars. Detroit carries both
Joe SuSden and Jim McGuire, while the
Boston Red SoN have Charley s.rreii.
over in st. Louis the Browns have Lou
Criger while the Cardinals will be helped
along by Heinie Peitz.
Jack Ryan fills q similar position with
the Nationals and there is no doubt that
he had much to do with the Improvement
Bob Groom and Carl Cashion displayed
last season
II i not 81 much what a pitcher has
a. his knowledge how to use il which