Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-28

in the grading made for tie purpose of
aiding the drainage, and this. / believe
has been accomplished. for the water
now gets off of the infield in a hurry
The first real test that both Engel and
Gallia have been asked to stand this
spring will come today when they will
pitch the game against the Philadelphia
Nationals. Up to this time they have
been pitching against Virginia, and one
of Griffith's team at Charlottesville, and
while both showed to good advantage in
these games they will have a real oppor-
tunity to show their worth this afternoon
The games will be called at 3 o'clock.
Fielding and batting practice was in
order at the ball park this morning
Griffith had his entire squad out and
though it was chilly he kept them on the
move for couple of hours. The field
has dried out nicely. SO that some real
good work was possible. All the pitchers
also took "a workout excepting Engel
and Gallia, who are slated to pitch this
afternoon.
While it does not require high-class
form for a major league team to win
games from team such as Jersey City,
Yet there is something most impressive
about the showing Frank Chances aggre-
cation is making against that team in
Bermuda. Chance appears to have his
pitchers in fairly good shape. judged
from the base hit column of their oppo-
nents. There will, of course, be big
difference when his team goes up against
the other American League teams but it
is already plain that he will make bet
ter showing than have any of his prede-
cessors. IL Chance can bring The New
York team d few notches up in the race
he will have done wonders not only for
the New York club owners but for the
entire American League. With the team
playing its games on the Polo Grounds
this year, it will have a chance to make
some money. even though it does not
prove pennant contender.
From all accounts John Henry. will be
back in harness within the next few
days. The injury which he suffered in
Charlottesville last week YVES but trivial,
according to the club surgeon, and the
knee joint Itself is absolutely Sound. 1t
seems that some of the lignents and
muscles on the exterior of the joint be-
came adhered. and that these tore loose
under a strain. This is rapidly healing.
and assurance is given that Henry will be
as good as ever within week or SO, and
surely before the season opens
The good news about Henry delighted
Manager Griffith. who realizes that his
team would be badly handicapped should
Henry be incapacitated for any length
of time.
Rumor has it that Manager Stallings of
the Boston Nationals has refused to waive
on Joe Connolly and that the hard hitting
Outfielder will eventually be turned over
to that club. Stailings, however, has re-
fused to waive on all of Griffiths out
fielders that he has asked waivers on.
and it is said that Stallins's real object
is to get Allen, the speedy outfielder
cured from Sharon. whom Griffith does
not propose to let go outright for the rea-
son that he expects him to develop into d
first-ciaSs man.
The uncertainty of picking up ball play
demonstrated by Griffith's experience this
spring. Calvo and Acosta, for instance
were not given serious consideration
when they were secured. 1t was. not to
be expected that a couple of boys who
had not even had the benefit of minor
league experience would stand a chance
with such players as Connolly, Well
chonce. Sheer and Allen. every one of
whom had made his mark in the minors
last season. All of them showed excep-
tional batting proclivities during the past
season and it was naturally taken for
granted that il there We're any changes
made ira the National outfield that the
new hands would come from this ma
terial
But just the opposite proved the case.
Griffith found that from his standpoint
the two Cubans were preferable to any of
the other outfielders.
Calvo and Acosta do not display any
weaknesses that cannot be corrected in
time. They are natural ball players and
have no. been worn out. Hence they