The Washington times., 1914-03-11
May Be Impossible to Stage
Battle With Virginia Until
Saturday at Earliest.
PITCHERS TRY SOME HOOKS
Griffith Disguised When He Is
Forced to Have Workouts in
the Gymnasium.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

UNIVERSITY. Va March 1l.-Once
more .narooned by storm that swept
down through the Blue Ridge during the
night. the Nationals were today forced
- remain indoors. and their next ap-
pearance in Virginia's stadium is wholly
I'D to the god that directs the fury and
rr1eekness of the weather in this change
able section.
When the athletes retired last night
better conditions would have been hard
% imagine. but when they arose this
morning they found that snow. hail
sleet and wind had wrecked their plans
OF this afternoon meeting the University
~ Virginia in the first exhibition game
Il the year.
Griffith could not conceal his disgust
a. he ordered his charges to go TO the
Eymnasium where for nearly two hours
le worked .he men in relays So severe
vas the storm that il was out OF the
question to even use the board saucer
the shadow of tie training house and
after tossing for while all the players
COX their laps In the gallery of the ex-
crcisire parlor.
For the first time since reporting the
pitchers were allowed to curve after be-
ne warned not to extend themselves.
Zach of the younger twirierS were al
owed to brook about a dizen, after which
hey took to jogging.
Walter johnson was rather conServa-
i've, for, after having Altrock shove
ounts at him for a quarter of an hour.
ne tossed over only a few before calling
quits.
A corps Of laborers are lurking under
ne cover of the stadium awaiting the
sbatins of the storm when they will
cap out on the field and try TO repair
ne damage done by the downfall which
started at o'clock this morning.
Saturday now looks as the most likely
date for the opening exhibition with the
collegians. although past experience has
strengthened the conviction that one
no attempts to forecast probable con-
iitions in Albemarle county should he
ronfined TO an Institution where there
are blue-coated employees and the in
mates talk foolishness.
One of TIE things that attracted attention
the Nationals during their shirlwind cam
Of talking done by the players during the
rsmcs. Griffith is great believer IN voca:
encouragement. and insists upon every man
keeping up constant line OF chatter while
in contest
The coming season will be no exception.
FOR already the men. even the recruits. have
ausht the spirit and when the practice
is un the stadium is as noisy as the New
Nick AItrock ia first. with Joe Gedeon
,lose second. in TIE shouting league.
.rrr dinner last night the pitchers and
atchers were called together in Griffith :
-oom. where. behind closed doors the man
sser outlined and explained IN detail the set
= signs that Will be UScd by the batteries
p the exhibition games. the first test OF
tho code will come this afternoon.
Cube Acosts's aiImcnt was TODAY Pro-
rpunced BY physician a touch OF ma
aria fever. Much rest and a little medicine
1ss been prescribed for the kid OF the camp.
Griffith will go through with his olan of
; nceting the University Of Virginia tomorrow.
nd hopes TO stage A pair of short cThibi-
on games between his own players on
Thursday.
In addition 20 his position Of trainer. Mike
Martin is major don1o Of the house II Grif-
nth. when IL comes 10 getting work out "f
MS helpers, one here has anything on
Martin. who is always looking FOR s',1le-
ring else for his two coiorcd assistants.
Ham and Eggs, to do.
After the battery meeting had hcel aG-
oUrned the baseball colony entertained
bv r. r. BozzeI. Bozzel has quite repu-
alton piano player in these parts and
ris work was greatly enjoyed by the ath-
.etes ImPromptu Quartcis were formed and
some Of tho men tanS"ed and fshwakei
themselves into perspiration the airs Few
out Of the piano in the reception hall "r the
aiming houk.