The Washington herald., 1913-03-30
Second Base Problem
Now COnfrOntS Griffith
Morgan's Brilliant Work May Land Him the Job
Over Laporte- Exhibition Games This Week.
Other GOSSip

With the sensational work of Ray Nor
gan during the exhibition games played
here Friday and Saturday against the
Philadelphia Nationals there appears to
be some doubt. after all. as to whether
or not Frank Laporte will start the 1918
campaign at second base for the Griff-
men.
1t was supposed all along that in view
of his known ability to hit like a house
afire" early in the spring Laporte would
be Griff's choice TO hold down second
base but Morgan seems to be doing a
little swatting on his own account these
days. He connected for couple yester-
day and one the previous day.
I.aporte was not used in the SATURDAY
combat against the Phiilies. and on Fri
day he was placed at third base, owing
to the illness of Eddie Foster, while
Morgan held down second.
II Is more than likely that during the
exhibition games scheduled for the COM
ing week the second base problem will
be definitely settled. as it is believed that
Griff will alternate with Morgan and
I.aporte at the midway station, and upon
the showing made by these men VIII de-
termine the one who is likely to be on
deck in the opening game lineup.
The remarkable showing of the Grill
men In the two games Won from the
Phillies may be taken as a good omen,
and already in the breasts OF many local
fans there are visions anead OF pen
nant winner.
Two errorless contests in a row, and
a display of pitching talent that COM
pletely batfied the opposition Is indeed
an achievement, but .'one swallow does
not make a whole winter. wait until
the other National League CLUBS have
been encountered, otner pitchers have
performed.
The hard work Grin subjected his
players to down in Chariottesville, to-
gether with the fact that the men them
selves lived carefully all the winter, Is
bearing fruit The club right now is
ready to start the American League sea-
son. and with a number of hard exhi-
bition games during the next ten days
the boys Will be right on edge, and
the New York hignIanders, with tneir
Bermuda training. are nKely TO stumble
I'D against a barrier at the start.
The Capital fans who witnessed yester-
days game Were impressed with the
twrling of Walter johnson. He never
looked better in the spring than right
now. Groom also appeared to be nearly
ready, while Joe Engel has improved .
per cent over last year.
This week Carl Cashion will get a
chance to show what he can do. and
Eddie Dent is also likely to go in The
box for a few innings.
Today will he one of rest tor the
bali players. as the scheduled game in
Cincinnati has been cancelled owing to
the floods in that section Of Ohio. On
Monday the Griffmen will meet the
Alexandra Cardinals, and Tuesday the
Catholic University team. The Brook
lyn Nationals come mere W ednesday and
Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday
the Boston Braves will show.
From Manager Harvey Crump, of the
Cardinal Athletic Club of Alexandria,
comes the following communications:
Excitement has reached a high pitch
in Alexandria over Mondays game be-
tween the Cardinal Athletic Club, a
home talent organization, and Manager
Griffith's Nationals which were the SEN
sation of the American League last year
and looked upon as contenders in this
years pennant race. The old as well
as the young are making preparations to
accompany the local team on its pill
grlI1dSe ACROSS tue POtOIldc IN search VI
glory. and have fond hopes that it will
make a showing which will be a credit
to the city as well as to the team.
Mayor Fisher, who acted as toastmas-
ter at the banquet given in Manager
Griff1th's honor on January 9. will ac-
company. the team. along with other city
officials, and he has consented to toss
out the ball to start the game. This ball
will be autographed by Manager Griffith
and given to President s. A. Breen. of
the Cardinals. as a souvenir of the oc-
casion.
"The team will be out for a final
workout Sunday afternoon in an ex-
hibition game against a picked team.
and expects to have the players on edge
for the big event
Arrangements have been made to have
the team leave Alexandria on special
train at 1880 p. M, the Alexandria
schooichildren to follow on another spe-
cial at LIS p. m.
1.-THE Cardinals lineup will be as fol-
lows: Ayestuke. first base. Miller, sec
ond base; Hayden or Nugent, third base;
Coil or W. Brown. shortstop: Trenary
left field: Williams. center field; Cock
h