The Washington times., 1913-03-09
ELLIOTT TO WATCH
NATIONALS LS'ROOKIES
President of Roanoke Club Will Go to Charlottesville in Search
of Payers-A Sheer Attracts Much Atten-
ton by His Heavy Hitting.
BY SENATOR"

is ready to begin the campaign right
now. OF course, with three such good
backstops as the Climbers corps. the
chances for a youngster breaking into
the charmed circle becomes beautifully
less with each and every day. This
very likely Influenced Manager Griffith
in deciding TO send Munich to Syracuse.
When 1t comes to the infielders, an
other stiff puzzle faces the ''Old Fox. :"
Judging by his work to date, which, OF
course. is hardly enough to make a
final decision possible. Joe Gedeon is
going to stay with the Climbers this
season. This nineteen-year-old lad Is
grace itself In his movements. fast as
lightning in the field. and on the bases
and one Of the best hitters in the squad.
mering out those healthy drives that
are music to the ear. Unless this lad
takes rapid tumh'e, he is well nigh
sure to hold his own with the regular
candidates for the second station.
Reb Williams, another nineteen-year-
old youth, has all the earmarks of be-
ing conner. His work hasn't been
so fiashy as Gedeon's, but his perform
ance every day since reporting here
stamps him as a good ball player and
one who will bear the closest scrutiny.
He works around third base like a
veteran, and has caught Griffith's
fancy.
Morley a Good Man.
Bill Morley. the Knoxville rookie. the
third member of the Pimienta's infield,
has shown unusually good form with
the willSw, while his work at short
shows that he is in the battle for one
Of the places on the team this season.
ut ~ f4l g. IN, LII.
around the bags and steps around the
infield as il on eggs. This is unexpected
in a man of his weight, as he tips
the scales at 100 pounds stripped.
When 1t Is recalled that neither Frank
Laporte nor Ray Morgan has cinched
his hold on second base, the presence
of Gedeon, Williams, and Morley in
the scramble for the honors makes the
situation most interesting. Neverthe-
less eight infielders will never be carried
by the Climbers all season. At least
three will be dropped by the wayside.
but no one in camp will hazard a guess
as to the identity Of the three who
must go.
The pitching staff, on the other hand.
has not made such an impression on
the spectators at Lambeth Field. Ell
Iiott Dent, the big fellow from New
ark in the International League, and
Tom Drohan, the rookie from Kewanee
in the Central Association. have gone
to the fore among the candidates for
the mound. Yesterday Buck Barton
Joined the promising lads and is almost
certain TO get q thorough workout be-
fore being sent to the tall timber.
Calls Them Hopes.
Manager Griffith has told Cashion and
EngeI that they are his hopes for the
box this year" and the two youngsters
are working their noodles and arms of
In an effort to live up to their man
ayers expectations. With Drohan and
Dent added to the list of hopes" the
Climbers have seven pitchers who look
worth while for the coming campaign.
Thirteen twirlers are here working
out. but several have already shown
their need of more experience They
will hardly appear in Washington. be-
ing sent to minor league teams from
here. Manager Griffith cannot begin to
give the proper attention to such a
large squad of players as he has and.
on that account IL no other, must cut
down the number of candidates this
spring.
1t is more than probable that two out
fielders. four pitchers and one or two
infielders will be dropped before the sea-
son opens. Manager Griffith may keep
several for trials against the National
League teams in the spring exhibition
series in Washington. but by the time
the bell rings he will have his squad
down TO working number.