The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-27
LAPORTE SLATED
AS PINCH HITTER
Even Though He Fails at Sec
ond, Should Prove Himself
Valuable to Team.

Senator" writing in the Washing
ton Times, has the following story
Even il he fails to make a place for
himself at second base. and most folks
are thinking that he viii never do,
Frank Laporte should prove mighty
handy pinch-hitter for the Climbers
next summer Indeed, Manager Grif-
fifth will never let go Of him until he
has fallen down absolutely with the
stick His slashing drives at the right
places will win many games 'of ball
during season.
Second base will be one of the busiest
places Imaginable this spring in this
mans town. 1t is generally consd-
cred the one really weak spot in the
Griffmen's armor. strengthening this
one position may bring the American
League flag TO the capital and this last
is Grin's own particular task he sets
for himself.
Laporte, never the fastest man in the
world is too slow TO ht into Grin s
lightning infield. Ray Morgan, green
and inexperienced as he is, is as fast
as they make 'em. But some doubt
Rays ability as second baseman even
while lauding him as shortstop or
third baseman. lie Will have his chance
this spring. If he fails then. IL Will be
his own fault not that of his manager.
his mates or the fans. Morgan is one
of the most popular players on the local
team.
But no matter who becomes the
teams regular second baseman, Frank
Laporte is too valuable siugger to
be released until he has been superseded
with the stick. Herman Schaefer Is
cool enough in a pinch. but his success
last year in this role was hardly up 10
snuff. "Rippy" Williams proved him
self a terror in a pinch many time
last year. but Griff's plans calls for his
appearance in more games in 1913 than
in 1912 and frequently it will be impos-
sible for him 10 come 20 bat.
There Are Others.
OF course, aside from Frank Laporte.
Grin will have other good hitters. but
they must yet prove their weight in the
big show. Joe Connolly and Harry
Welchonce have welded the bludgeon TO
good advantage in the bushes, but
major league pitching and major league
fielding may cut down their average
somewhat However. both of these
lads. until they land regular berths will
be eligible for this pinch hitting JOB
With the Climbers.
The Mackmen will have mighty
good slugger TO go to bat in the pinohes
If Danny Murphy is able 20 put MS
weight on his weak knee. The veteran
is one of the most dangerous men IN
the game when d hit means victory.
Indeed Bob Groom has frequently told
the writer that he feared Danny Murphy
more than Ty Cobb or Frank Baker
Sea Lion" Charlie Hall and Olaf
Henriksen are two pinch htters with
the worlds champion Red Sox. They (
think nothing of poking out bingie /
that swings victory their way
Matter of Smuggling.
Aside from second base. where good I
fielder will stand the best chance of
holding down the berth, provided he can .
hit at ali. the JOB with the Climbers /
- y 90 a .
with the heaviest wag on tongues. If 4
Welchonce Allen, CalvO. and Connolly .
can hit in fast company as they have I
done in the bushes. Danny Moeiier /
and Howard Shanks may sit on the /
bench a while before sliding back TO .
some slower company
But hitting in the bushes is far diff {
ferent from hitting in the majors. and
that's why one must not dismiss the
chances of Shanks and Moeller 10 make
GOOD another season Moeller has
shown himself one of the headiest bats
men and base runners with the Climb
ers. when in good condition. He should
travel at d wonderful pace this spring
if he can manage to have that weak
shoulder Of his behave
Shanks has no superior in major
league baseball to-day handling d
ground ball. Although not very last
on the bases, this young man can fly
over the dirt in the garden. He pays
no attention to the other men in the .
game, gets the ball. however hard IL
may be to do that, and knows Just what
to do with it from the jump. II he
could hit around 800. Manager Griffith
wouldn't hesitate second about max
ing him a regular. The hitch comes
right there. though
For those outfleld jobs the men must
be hitters. II is more than probaDle
that Grif will experiment With several
men in the gardens before making his
final selection Indeed, the fans may
see Caivo. Connolly. Welchonce and
Allen filling in for the others during
the spring games of the regular cam
paign. The Jobs Will go to the hitters.