The Washington herald., 1913-08-01

Grinth's two young pitchers, Doc
Ayres, Of Richmond. and Hedge
psth. Of Petersburg. are the class
Of the Virginia League according to Gus
Malbert. sporting editor Of the Richmond
Dispatch. who was . visitor IN
the Capital yesterday and who witnessed
the Washington-Detroit game.
''Hedgepath." says Malbert, "has been
deve. oped this season. He Is only a big
green kid. but has q world of speed, a
good curve. and fair control. He needs
the kind Of coaching Grifith and his
veteran pitchers can give, and I believe
has fair chance Of making good"
"AyreS" continued Malbert, .fs the
better Of the two. easily the leading
pitcher in the Virginia League. His one
fault is that he Possesses altogether too
good control. IL such q fault can be
found with q pitcher-for opposing bat
tiers know that he Is never wild and are
not afraid to stand up before his terrific
speed"
According to Mr.. MaIbert, who is
thoroughly familiar with Virginia League
affairs. knows all the players personally
and who follows closely each game
played. Ayres will make good for the
Nationals next summer and Is sure to
win . lot Of ball games for Griffith.
One reason why the big delegation
from Richmond here to celebrate Boeh-
ling Day yesterday did not present the
young southpaw with the usual gifts
handed q ball played on such occasions
was that when the American League
season closes in October the fans OF
Richmond are planning a rousing home
coming for the young man. in the shape
Of a banquet, at which time the usual
trinkets will undoubtedly be presented.
1t would not be surprising II Hughey
Jennings sent George Dauss to the box
this afternoon, in which case the Climb
ers will have to hustle to win. Dauss
already has three victories over the Ma.
tionals to his credit
1t was an unlucky happening for the
team when Bert Shotten spiked Walter
Johnson, for 1t necessitated the over
work which has fallen to the young
Nationals who have just begun to find
themselves. Boehling plainly showed that
he could not do his best work with but
two days rest. and the same will apply
to Engel If it is done often enough.
Many in the stands seemed to think
ton infield in the eighth. when be at
tempted to pull one of the Nationals
copyrigf ted plays, but George Mcbride
was too wise for him. and finally proved
1t to the satisfaction Of those who were
waiting to see Cobb walk all the way
home while the team watched him,
thinking they were not on the job. Mac
was right in not gaining an out at the
cost Of a run, as the Climbers were not
at that time altogether out Of the con-
test so far as run-making went, still
having two innings in which to hit.
Ground rules prevailed during yester-
days game and will continue until the
fence has been rebuilt The storm of
Wednesday left its mark at the ball.
yard, tearing down both fences. Balls
going over the right field fence to the
right of the scoreboard will count as
doubles only. Nothing like this can hap
pen when Philadelphia il playing here.
One feature of the old ball game was
sadly missed. There are many who do
not follow the actions of the game close
enough to know just how a pitcher
stands with a batter. and they were lost
yesterday, when the scoreboard was not
operated The telephone system from
the press box to the center field station
was knocked out during the storm and
had not been repaired. Ferguson was
watched more yesterday than ever be-
fore.
Groom will probably be Manager Grit
fith's selection for today's battle. as he
has had a long rest and should be about
ripe for a winning. There Is one thing
that Bobby has. and he has 1t good. and
that Is Sam Crawford's goat. Hold onto