The Washington herald., 1913-03-02


from their homes.
The Y. NJ. C. A. colony had Its last
workout yesterday morninG-only the
shortest kind Of . session. The boys
were ordered to pack up their uni
forms and take things easy until Mon
day. Manager Grifith called at the
Hotel Dewey for dinner last evening.
and gave the boys a short talk, telling
them what he expected. the training
rules which would be insisted upon in
camp. and various other matters. The
recruits were much impressed with
what their manager had to say.
Veterans Reach Town.
Frank Laporte, the second baseman.
accompanied by his pretty wife. and
John Henry. the big catcher. drifted
into Washington early yesterday
morning. both looking At and ready
for strenuous campaign.
Laporte says he has gained possibly
three pounds. which will come on in
a couple OF days under a hot sun.
Henry 10 carrying around more weight
than that, but 10 not worrying, for he
will train down gradually and be In
shape when Grin wants him to 60
behind the bat.
Laporte has been uSusually busy on
his farm at Urechville. Ohio. a little
hamlet three hours ride from Clevc-
land. Franks speciality is raising
chickens. and he Is said to have the
best white Leehorn stock IN that Sec
tion Of the State. He managed to
raise with his hens an average of 100
eggs a day. and declared that the profit
derived from the sale OF the hen fruit
paid all running expenses of the big
farm.
In speaking OF the Nationals chances
this season. Laporte said: II our club
can get away to a good start, the others
had better look out. understand that
Grin has big squad OF recruits. but
take IL from me II every one OF the new
men should happen to fall down the old
club which finished last season can go
out and make 'em all hustle.
II expect to play second base from the
start. at least. I hope to convince Grin
that ] am the man for that position, and
barring accidents. confidently expect to
have the best season Of my big league
career"
John Henry declares that his knee is
almost as good as new and cannot pos
sibly see why he should ever be
troubled again with the blamed thing.
Harry Welchonce, the leading slugRer
of the Southern League last season. who
is conceded a chance to displace either
Shanks or Moeiler in the Nationals out
field. is elean-cut young chap. Well
chonce stands five feet eleven inches and
weighs I7s pounds. Although a left-hand
hitter. Welchonce states that none of the
aouth-paw twfrlers In the Southern
League caused him much trouble last
summer.
With welchonce came Bill Allen. the
youngster recommended by Mike Kahoe.
who dug him up In the wilds Of Sharon.
Pa, last season. Both Welchonce and
Allen are friends Of long standing. and
while rivals for outfield positions are
on the most intimate terms. Allen is
short. chunky little chap. with ruddy
cheeks and light hair.
for several days. owing to a death in
the family.
Manager Griffith will not attempt to
play any game or split up his squad
for this purpose until the boys have
been in Charlottesville for at least five
days. Il want my players to be In
some sort Of condition before We start
play aying ball." the manager said. "and I
figure that they will not work out the
soreness to arms and legs until they have
been at 1t for five days. Then will come
our regular practice games. Just as last
spring"
Some old ball clubs have had a rep
utation for being close. but IL is doubt
full that any club ever had the reputa-
tion which belonged to the old Boston
Nationals when they. were owned by
Soden. Conant. and Billings.
Several years ago that club had
So ~ kw.<v
like that. playing second base.
Schwartz started the season in Boston
and lasted until some time in August.
He had heard about Soden's aversion
to giving passes, but as an average
crowd in Boston that year was about
200. Schwartz thought there ought to
be room for a friend of his who went
out to the park with him one day. So
he went into the ONCE and braced
Soden for a pass.
And who are you. young man. In
quired Soden.
why. I'm a ball player" replied
Schwartz.
you don't say. And what Is your
position
Second base"
May I inquire what team you play
with" asked Soden.
why, on the Boston team-right
here" said the astonIshed athlete.
You don't say sor' calculated the
magnate, adjusting his spectacles. Il
don't ever remember seeing you be-
fore"
In the back Of the old grand stand
at Boston there was q telephone. An
attendant watched this phone. and ev-
cry time one of the club officials called
a number he was charged with the
call and paid for It at the end Of the
month.
One month the bill came in and after
the books were balanced one call was
not accounted for. The manager and
players were sent for. but they denied
having sneaked that call. Soden. Bill
inRs, and Conant then went into exec
utive session. Each was positive he
had not called the mysterious number
This extravasance has got to stop"
firmly asserted Soden. Tomorrow that
telephone comes out"
shortly before midnight Catcher
ERan, recommended to Griff by Tom
powney, the former Cincinnati inhelder;
Allen Scheer, the Youngstown, Ohio,
recruit, who was given q trial by the
Climbers last season. and Erhardt, the
Columbia University lad. reached town.
the party which starts for
this morning
Bert Gallia. the Texas twirler, will
not be in camp for several days. as
he has written GrifY that he is con-
nned to his home In quarantine, an
epidemic of some contagious disease
having broken out
~ q