The Washington herald., 1914-03-09
Youngster Picked for First
Game-Bentley Celebrates
Nineteenth Birthday.
FEDERALS GRAB LAPORTE
BY WILLIAM FEET.


Johnny Mumford will be the twirl-
er nominated to face the George
town University team when the
Nationals open the exhibition Sc
ries in the Capital on the afternoon
of March 25.
Manager Griffith made the fore
going announcement to the writer
tonight when asked what the prob
able pitching selection for that
game would be.
"Of course" Grii continued. "a lot
viii depend upon Mumfords condition.
whether or not he has a lame arm, but
1 would like to start him in our first
home game because he is a Washington
boy, also because the fans of Anacosta
gave me such a warm welcome when i
was called upon for a speech at that big
mass meeting two weeks ago"
Mumford was delighted when told that
he would probably be called upon to go
against the Hill Toppers and declared
that he would be down to weight and in
the pink of condition.
King i'm Camp.
n qulCl CuIudy camp "oS Ch-
nvened by a visit during the afternoon
from Charley King, the genial mana
ger Of Spalding's Washington store. Mr..
King was on the job T. measure the ball
players for their new uniforms.
81 want you to guarantee me this sea-
son that you will fit my ball club out
with winning togs," Griff jokinGly
ohirped to King. Our road uniforms last
year were winners, but the home suits
Na-np 1nf IN n m
Mr. King promised to deliver the goods
SO that nothing now remains except dig
Eing a hole for a flag pole at the Florida
avenue park where the pennant may be
unfurled to the breeze. Uniforms fer the
Nationals this season will be the same in
every detail, except the home togs- Griff
has ordered them to be made of white
flannel with a pronounced stripe running
diagonaIly through the goods
Clyde Milan's left ankle, which was
hurt during a basketball game yesterday.
caused him a little trouble today. 1t is
still swollen a trifle, and he walks with
a perceptable limp. The Tennessee Flyer
states emphatically that he will be out
in togs tomorrow, and ridicules the idea
of being laid up.
Milan VIII Play.
why l have played many ball games
with an ankle swollen up a lot more than
this" he cried. That's the reason why,
for three years, / have never missed a
game on account Of injuries"
If the weather continues fair Griff ex-
poets to have his men on the field to-
morrow afternoon. as the snow has
almost entirely disappeared, and, allow
ing for a slight frost tonight. the ball
yard should be in shape for use Monday
evening. There is a possibility that the
players will work outside tomorrow
morning, but Griff is not counting on so
doing.
Pitcher Jack Bentley celebrated today
his nineteenth birthday and the occasion
was fittingly observed. His pals congrat-
ulated him and he received box Of
fudge from his girl in Sandy Spring, Nd.
Joe Engel will be twenty-one years old
next Thursday. Red fire will be burned in
honor of the pitcher who will have just
these are the only two athletes with
birthdays falling due while the club is
in camp.
All Go to Church.
AS the official get 'em up for church."
Scout Jack Ryan, spent Sunday in the
bosom of his family in Washington, Capt.
George Mcbride did the honors today,
leading half the members of the ball
club to a place Of worship, where a good
sermon awaited them.
Sunday in a major league baseball camp
is always a dull day. After the morning
papers had been read and tossed away,
Melville Gallia, who has blossomed out
into a good amateur photographer,
snapped a group of his teammates with
a small kodak. Ray Morgan was not al
lowed to pose because of his shiny dome
and the fear that the squad picture would
be spoiled. while Howard Shanks was so
busy figuring out his batting average for
the coming season that he refused to
spare the time.
Grin Loses Coin.
During a far ing bee tonight Grifr dis
covered that the Federal League had cost
the Washington ball club $3.50 in real
money, in addition to the loss of Bob
Groom's services.
1t appears that Frank Laporte, the vet
Gran infielder who was sold to the Kan
sas City club of the American Associa-
tion, had jumped to the Indianapolis team
of the Federal League. Griffith sold La
porte for s, 500. Of which 81 900 cash was
paid, the remainder to be forwarded be-
fore June 1: and now that Laporte has
jumped Griff can hardly count on getting
the remaining $500.
In addition, the Washington club is out
s., 500 paid over to the Minneapolis team
for Catcher Frank Owens, who was
drafted and awarded to the Climbers last
fall. There is a possibility, however. that
this money will be returned.
The first practice game down here is
scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, when
the University of Virginia will be the
Nationals opponents.