Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-08
BY J. ED GR1LLo.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

F.rhart, the young infielder secured from
New York, has jumped the Nationals.
He asked for permission to go home
> yesterday, saying that he had very
bad foot, but Griffith refused to grant
the request. This morning he packed
his grip and took an early train for
his home without having permission to
do so. When Manager Griffith was ap-
prised of Erharts desertion he at once
pW- him on the suspended list. 1t is
the opinion of the players that Erhart
had bad attack of inconsistencies He
had been lonesome ever since he re-
ported here and frequently spoke of
wanting to go home. The youngster
displayed considerable ability during
the workouts, and he seemed to have a
fair chance to be retained.
The game which was scheduled to be
played this morning between the Vets
! and Colts was called Off because Of the
out. Unless the weather grows worse
the game with Virginia will be played
this afternoon.
1t is as good as settled that both Will
liams and .Gedeon. the two men secured
by the draft route last fall, Will be re-
tanned by Manager Griffith. 1t is not
the intention to have either replace any
of the regular infielders, but they will be
members of the team, nevertheless. and
s carried along to develop. There is no
doubt that both OF these youngsters have
plenty of ability, and after they get the
benefit of a little experience stand a
chance to become f1rst-class players.
Gedeon is not out of his teens yet, but
he is tall and strong. fast and rangy.
There is no player in the squad who dis
plays as much pepper. He is always
hustling. and it is this fact which gives
him a great advantage over some of his
rivals. Williams, like Gedeon, takes
good swing at the ball. has a splendid
ing high-grade infielder. Griffith figures
that both of them viii be ready for duty
within a year. As to what disposition
will be made of the large army of out
fielders now here remains to be seen.
Several of them show enough to warrant
their retention, though, as previously
stated in these columns, there is not
much chance for any of them breaking
into the teams lineup as regular at
the outset of the season. Two of them,
however, are apt to be retained for util-
fly purposes, so it will be some time be-
fore this is settled upon. To date the
two Cubans have shown to good adyan-
tage. but they have been playing ball
all winter. and have something on their
rivals in the matter Of condition, which
at this season of the year counts for
much. The present work being INDUCED
In by the players is not Of a kind that
the weather warns and games are play
ed the new men will get a better chance
to show what they are made OF. Incl
dentally 1t will be some time before the
soreness is worked out of the muscles
and the players feel like letting them
selves out.
J The practice during these cool days is
than to teach them anything in connec-
ton with the game. 1t has been too cool
to give any instructions, and the players
have busted themselves fielding and bat
squads worked again yesterday. The
morning was spent on the tennis courts,
where the cool wind Is cut of, but the
afternoon found both squads on the ball
field, where ii was none too comfortable.
Fortunately the playing field is as dry as
a bone. SO that the players are not en-
dangering their health by reason Of hav-
ing their feet wet. There has been no
rain here in several days. and the dust
blows when the wind IS doing business.
Gallia. who reported yesterday morn
ing. is ready to pitch any time he is
called on. He has been working out
down in Texas for the past two weeks,
Gallia is remains to be seen, but he will
have to show considerable ability II he
expects to be retained. for II Washington
keeps him after certain date In May
III mas agreed 10 pay an dQQlIlOnal $f,sWV
TO the Kansas City club, and naturally
Griffith does not want to pay that kind
.of money for pitcher who does not
have a chance to be a top-nOtcher.
Gallia has shown considerable ability at
times but il is doubtful Ii he Is Of major
league caliber. Griffith purposes to get
him in good shape and then give him a
trial to determine what disposition to
make of him.
will no "
games played today. 1t is Grimths idea
To have the regulars meet the vets in the
morning. and then the colts are scheduled
TO hook up with the Virginia collegians
in the afternoon. Aside from Schaefer,
who is scheduled to play first base. the
entire tenn viii be made up OF young
sters- Williams will play third. Morley
short and Gedeon second. while the out
field will be selected from Calvo. Acosta,
Sheer. Connolly and Allen. Both of the
Cubans are likely to play. as Griffith is
anxious to see them in action.
: that John Henry's knee is again as good
as ever. He is running down. to first
/. base with his usual speed and shows no
(. signs of limping- He has not yet been
+: asked to go behind the bat and won't be
!; for some time, Grin does not want
!. 10 take any chances of having him twist
I; his knee again. which might happen If
/. he was catching.
/. Erhart will be out OF practice for
/. few days. Trainer Mike Martin had to
/. remove a bruised nail from one of his
stoes this morning, and it will keep the
I. youngster OFF the field for few days.
E Connolly, who proved himself a great
. slugger for the Montreal team last sum-
.mer. Is one Of the fastest men In the
/, squads He has not let himself out, but IT
/, is evident IN the short sprints he takes
that he has terrific speed. Connolly how
Yer. needs a lot of practice before he
sNyiil be able TO show his real form. He
!. did not have a ball in his hands all winter
and the weather has been so cool here
that there has been little chance for him
30 get going. On the form he displayed
Last summer. however. Connolly is sure
i TO give other outfielders who are striving
for a place on the team hard tussle.
Roth Egan and Munich are proving
themselves good receivers behind the bat,
md they are getting plenty of work. The
two youngsters are doing all the catching
il. batting practice and this keeps them
busy most of the time. Egan met with
u mishap yesterday, having one OF his
fingers split b. a foul tip. and this will
Tor several day:s throw the brunt Of the
work on MUNICH.
Austin. Sullivan. who signed under the
pitching for the colts against the Vir-
einia team this afternoon.
Joe Engel and Carl Cashion are being
rushed forward by Grifflth so that they
wiii be the first Of the regulars to be put
into games while the team is here The
lack of control has proven handicap