Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-20

the ball very hard and has continued
to do so in all the games he has played
since.
1t has been contended by many ex-
perts that a players style of batting
should never be changed, as no beneht
was to be derived from 1T. but the case
Of Shanks bellies this, for he now looks
more like a hitter than he ever has be-
fore.
Sheer and Allen are sure to be of con-
siderable help to the Boston Nationals
when they join that team. The Boston
club is sadly in need of outfield material,
and this pair of youngsters stand a GOOD
chance of supplanting some of the vet
Grams, who are making their final stop
in fast company at the Hub. Stallings
now has old John Titus, formerly of the
Phillies, and Cy Seymour who has been
in the minors several years, in the nope
that the two old fellows may show final
squirt and help him out. In Allen and
Sheer he will have couple of hard
hitting youngsters who are sure to I'M
prove with every game and for this rea-
son are pretty sure of holding their jobs.
Frank Smith, for many years the rum
ming mate of Big Ed Walsh on the Chi
cago White Sox team, but now member
of the Montreal team of the international
League, is here with preliminary squad
In training. Smith vows that his arm Is
as strong as ever, and that he is sure to
come back to fast company after this
year. 1t seems that an injured leg put
him out of big league ball a year ago,
but he says that that is now completely
healed and that he will show so much
good form with Montreal this summer
that all the major league clubs will want
him in the fall.
But one week remains Of the Nationals
stay here. Some time next Wednesday
the team will ship back to Washington,
though the exact time of their departure
has not yet been decided by Manager
Griffith. If it is bright, clear day next
Wednesday, the players will take their
regular workout in the morning, and
board a train for home in the afternoon.
where series of exhibition games is
scheduled from then until the season
opens. While Griffith is anxious to have
the regulars play in as many Of the ex-
hibition games as possible. he will also
work some of the new men in those
games, so that the fans can see them in
action.
Any young ball player who joins the
Nationals needs but ambition and level
head to improve himself Griffith Is
blessed with some able instructors In
outfielders. There is no better tutor for
the infield than Mcbride, while old Jack
Ryan knows thing or two about catch
ing, as result of his thirty years behind
ment is concerned, Griffith was a wizard,
as a twirler and there is no trick OF the
art that he does not know This year
crop Of youngsters seems to realize the
chance to better themselves and they
do not hesitate to seek information from
those players who should be in position
to give advice.
It will require some very fast running
on the part of opposing players this sea-
~ Noki0 O. inf
making a lot OF double plays on balls hit
to the infield. with man on first.
Mcbride, Foster, Laporte and Gandil
are constantly practfcing the double-play
system, and the rapidity with which they
pass the ball from one to another is
this practice, for nothing helps team
so much as to have an infield which can
handle the ball quickly. Look over the
records of the teams which are far down
have the least number Of double plays to
their credit.
Good hitting by the regulars allowed
them to score victory over the Colts in
the practice game yesterday morning
Cashion, who started out to pitch for the
Colts, complained of a lame arm. and
did not exert himself, as a result of
which he was found rather easy. Joe En-
gel held the Colts in check while he
was working, but Drohan, who followed
him, was seeing his first chance on the
rubber, and did not act at home. The
game kept all hands in action for cou-
pie of hours, which Is really the only
object Griffith has in arranging the
games, so proved Its worth.
After the game there was half hour
Of infield and outfield practice which
was so terrific that the athletes fairly
dragged themselves off the field when it
was over. The score: