The Washington herald., 1914-04-07
MUSSER LIKELY
TO BE REGULAR
Blond Hurler Has Shown Con-
siderable Improvement and
Has Chance to Stick.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
Doc Ayers Will Go Full Route Against
Alexandra Cardinals Today.
Mcbride Back.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
BY WILLIAM PEET.

So much has been written of the
'prowess Of Jim Shaw, Jack Bentley. Har-
ny Harper and Doc Ayers. that one young
man on Griffs pitching stan has ap-
parently been overlooked entirely by fans
and baseball writer's alike.
Paul Musser. the blond right handler,
has been coming along slowly. He was
bothered with throat trouble during most
Of the training season in Charlottesville
and had little or no chance to show what
he could do.
Since the club returned home, Musser
has regaIned his strength. and gave a
good exhibition during the four innings
he twirled against the Vigilants yesteT-
day.
Musser's flinging against a club the
caliber of the Vigilants would hardly
give one correct line on his ability.
for yesterday he did not attempt to ex-
tend himself and only pitched a few
curves. but the veterans on the Wash
ington club impart the information that
Musser looks much better than when
he was here two years ago.
Griff has had little to say about his
pitchers this spring except TO admit that
he was satisfied with the looks of his
recruits. but he has always had unbound
ed faith in Paul Musser. believing that
the youngster had the makings of a big
Lacquer and would some day come
through with winning stun.
Mussers year and a half with the mi
nors. appears to have done him worlds of
good. His delivery is smoother, he has
good move to first base and a better
curve ball than was in evidence during
the spring and summer of 1872.
1t is. OF course. hard to tell Just what
pitchers will be cut loose during the next
few weeks, for Griffff keeps his own
councils about such matters, but it is
believed that Musser stands a fair chance
to stick.
Musser is still far from right. his speed
is not what 1t should be just yet, but
he is getting better each day, and IL
little warm weather shows up he
should soon he in a position to do both
himself and the club justice.
Doc" Ayers has been nominated tc
pitch against the Alexandria Cardinals
in the scheduled practice game here this
afternoon. Ayers will go the full nine
innings. and should have little trouble ir
establishing a strike-out record for the
season; that is, IL he cares to extend
! himself
Eddie Foster and Capt. George Nc,
Bride both got back into the game with
Nellner nae
much TO do afield. and Mcbride said after
the combat that he felt no i'll effects from
the exercise.
That Mcbride has apparently recovered
from his recent injury should lift A bis
weight of the mind of Manager Griffith
for without Capt. Mac at shortstop tht
Nationals would start the season in &
bad way.
Wally Smith makes a fine substitute
for Mcbride and will doubtless be used
lot this summer. but he has not as
yet shown himself to be the equal OF
the Climbers captain in fielding or re-
ceiving throws. and as a hitter. Smith
has yet to demonstrate that he can wal
lop the ball against major league twIrl-
ing any harder or more timely than Nc
Bride.
The Buffalo Federal League club plays
Georgetown on the Hilltop field tomor-
row and many local fans, out of curios-
ity. will doubtless flock to the college
ball yard to SEE what, sort of a team
the so-called outlaws are foisting upon
the public
sLarry Schfay. formerly of the Nation
ais, and Pitcher Russell Ford. of the
New York Hishlanders. are with the
Buffalo Federal Leaguers.