The Washington times., 1914-01-24
Old Fox Trying to Land Nc
GraW'S Team for Two Days
in April.
By THOMAS F. KIRBY.

ashington's baseball fanatics may
stil be afforded ar opportunity to see
in action in the spring the New York
Giants who were last fall unsuccessful
contenders for the universal title against
the Philadelphia Athletics.
On the preliminary schedule of the
games which Mr.. Griffith has arranged
Tor the Nationals are two dates-April
I and sand he IS now in correspond
ence with Secretary John B. Foster, of
the Giants, with the hope that Nc
Graw's clan can be brought here to fill
these days. Otherwise all other engage
ments were made when the Vigilants
were notified that they would be includ-
ed on the slate.
Should an agreement with the New
1'YEers be consommated it will COM
plcte what would be by all odds the
most attractive set of practice games
ever arranged for a Washington ball
club. In addition to two Independent
and college teams are representative
OF the National League as well as one
club from the International, which is
rated on a par with the American Asso-
ciatior. in the leadership among the
minors ..-..
While the schedule. so far as the
regular team is concerned, is virtually
completed, Mr.. Griffith is still consider
ing the advisabiIity of grabbing a
couple of dates for his second string
men while the others on the squad
are in action at National Park. His
hope at present is to obtain Saturday
dates with both the Norfolk and Rich
mond outfits Of the Virginia League.
The chances seem favorable for the
Griffraen to open either in Boston or
New York in April. Last year the Ath-
letics were guests here for the opener.
while the year previous the Mackmen
were the hosts Of the Nationals for the
inaugural.
This leaves the metropolis or Boston
as the probable scene for the first stand
Of 1914. with the chances favoring Bos-
ton This would leave New York to be
played on the trip back TO Washington
and. after the completion of the second
series. the title holders from Philadel-
phia would be the Griffs' first opponent
on"the home field.
No contract was received at head
quarters this morning, but late this
afternoon Joe Boehling is scheduled 10
put in an appearance, and that he will
De under contract before dusk is the
firm conviction of his chief.
that Frank Owens, the catcher drafted
from the American Association, has de-
cided 10 hop to the Feds. but no con-
firTnation or denial has reached officials
Of the Nationals.
Harry Harper. who was grabbed up
last summer by Mr.. Griffith on the rec
ommendation OF George Davis, who had
watched the yoUngsteT hurl semi-pro
ball at his home town in HackensacN,
yesterday added his contribution to the
collection OF autographs that are being
corraled at the Southern building. Fol-
Lowing the stern mandate of his parent,
Harper declined to work on Sunday, so
his contract calls on him 10 perform On
any Of six days while the rest OF the
down-trodden athletes must compete
Thenver called upon by their COM
msnder.
Eigilsnt Joe Oliveri who has demoR-
stTated that a financial benefit may be
shown through Sunday semi-pro foot
ball during the months OF autumn, is
already up and doing in preparation for
the diamond season. Oliveri has slip
ped one over on all contemporaries by
getting a game with the Nationals for
April 6. Like the other preliminary