Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-06
GR|FF HAS FAST
BUNCH At WORK
Youngsters at Charlottesville
Are Most Capable in History
of Washington Club.
VETERANS ARE MADE
TO TAKE 1T EASY
Neither Johnson Nor Groom So
Much as Warm Up on Their
First Day Out.
BY J. ED GRILLo.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHARLOTTESVILLE Va, March g.
Not in the writer's experience with the
Washington club has there been as many
good looking youngsters i'm the spring
raining camp as Griffith has in charge
this spring. This does not Indicate that
all or any of them will be able to sup
plant any of the regulars. but there is
no doubt that he has lot of material
which will eventually become of the
greatest value.
The two workouts the rockies" took
yesterday were most impressive notwith-
standing the fact that in several instances
IT was the first time that some of the
players have been asked to handle a ball
this year. 1t is a decidedly better class
of material than any Washington team
has taken south in a decade or more.
Some of them are green hands, but all
of them have ability and the chances are
that when the time comes for wedding out
the surplus material that Griffith will
have hard time figuring out which of
them 1t will be to his advantage to re-
tam. 1t Is safe prediction, however.
that In only three or four instances will
There be outright sales or releases. Most
or the players show so much ability
though perhaps inexperienced, that it will
De considered to advantage to so place
them that they can be recalled at some
future date after they have gained the
experience which they appear to need.
II Is. however by no means certain
that some OF them would break into the
team lineup before the season opens. 1t
IS really splendid outfit, which contains
speed. energy and lots of natural ability.
what Is most surprising is that the new
inneiders are showing to much better adj
vantage than was expected. William
ball PLAYERS than reports led one to be-
heve. They all seem to know how to hit
and they handle themselves in the field In
a manner which savors much of the fin
lshed PLAYERS. What is true of the in
field Is also true of the outfield. Aside
from the two Cubans. who some day will
be mentioned in the same breath with the
game leaders in this department, Well
chonce, Allen. Connolly, Sheer and the
others are showing to good advantage.
pitchers.
Building ON Cashion.
If Griffith has hopes of STRENGTHENING
his pitching staff, the strength will have
come by reason Of the development Of
either Cashion and Engel OF last years
team or Of Dent and Droiian. The latter
pair appears to knew more about the art
than any OF their rivals among the new
conaerss though OF course II is still quite.
TOO early to pass judgement on any Of
II is as good as settled that both CaIvo
and Acosta, the two Cuban wonders, will
remain members Of the team throughout
the season. For two boys who have had
hardly six months experience in the
game, their work Is nothing short of
wonderful Their very actions are those
OF ball players, and as both are bright
and energetic 1t will not take them long
to learn.
The Cubans have perfect positions at
the bat. Neither moves an inch backward
when swinging. and they have perfect
eyes. seldom hitting at q ball that is not
over the plate. Both have wealthy par
ents and their sole ambition is to shine
on the ball field. There Is real sur
prise IN store for the Washington fans
the first time they see the two Cubans in
action. They must not be figured a pair
of raw recruits. by any means, and
either of them break into the teams line
up the first year In fast company 1t IL as
good as settled that both will be retained
and gradually allowed to develop.
notwithstanding the fact that Gedeon
was considered an outfielder when he
was secured by the Nationals he will be
kept at infield practice during the re-
mainder OF the training season. sGedeon
played second base at times last season
and he has shown marked ability there
Tor an inexperienced man. He is tall,
rsngy fellow, who, according to Griffith,
- sure to become q star at second base
be stands up well at the plate and In
practice hits the ball hard. Williams is
the other infielder who makes a good i'm
preston. Like Gedeon he is tall and
rangy and beautiful fielder. Yesterday
he worked out at third base and he
PLAYED the bag as II he was accustomed
10 1t, though he is really a short stop
Morley. though handicapped by badly
bruised calf, the result of being hit by
a pitched bali, covered lot of ground
at short and has the knack Of getting the
ball away from him very fast. Echart
is not only fast on his feet but handles
himself well, having a good style at the
bat.
Many Left-Handers.
Excepting Gedeon. Morley and +. Will
liams every one OF the other new men
IS left-handed hitter. In batting practice
when the youngsters are at work 1t is but
rarely that any batter hits from the
right side of the place. 1t is a case OF
one left-hander after the other, q fact
which is none too pleasing to Grifith,
who wants more right-handers than left
handlers on his team.
Allen, the young man secured from
Sharon. Pa, last fall, is going to class
well up with the fast men Of the league
It Is doubtful IL any one of Tho older