The Washington herald., 1914-03-11
Baseball
GRIFF'S REGULARS PLAY
VIRGINIA BOYS TODAY
Nationals to Clash With Charlottesville Colegians in
First Game of Season-Nick AItrock to
Umpre-Other Comment.
By WILLIAM PEET.

By WILLIAM FEET.
University, Va, March 1o.-The one
topic of conversation on the college
campus tonight is the first ball game OF
the season here tomorrow between the
Nationals and the University Of Virginia
team.
Warm weather today started everybody
tanning, and big crowd will be on hand
when Umpire Nick Altrock shouts play
ball" promptly at o'clock.
Griff will start and for five innings use
his regular team, with one Of the young
pitchers on the mound. Then the recruits
will I'll in and before the nine innings
have been completed, II is expected that
every member of the squad outside Of
pitchers will be seen in action.
The caliber of the Virginia this season
is not known. but as the university boys
have been practicing OF and on ever
since February /, and the pitchers able
to throw curve balls, the professionals
will likely be up against a stiff PROPOSE
tion, although the Climbers should win
by a comfortable margin.
An ideal spring day caused the Old
Fox to give his players two stiff work.
outs. Lambeth Field was a trifle soggy
this morning. but in the afternoon con-
ditions under foot were ideal. except in
few outfieId spots.
InFeId Work Fast.
The Nationals veteran infield. Gandil,
Morgan, Mcbride. and Foster. which
Griff declares is the best defensive in
field in the American League. refused to
be held in check this afternoon. II any
of this quartet favored his throwing
arm the fact was not noticed. The prac-
rrhfn oh fad arlxy hal hnIIr
was unusually snapy and fast.
More batting practice than any spring
since Griff has had the club was also
in evidence today. The veterans were
kept at il for nearly an hour this morn
ing and fully that time in the afternoon.
Harry Harper and Gania were the boys
who puzzled the hitters today. The long
southpaw this morning had the recruits
eating out of his hand. Harper's fast ball
came up with a pretty hop on II. and
it was with difficulty that Alva Williams
could catch him.
As the afternoon batting practice pro-
gressed the regulars managed to find
their batting eyes. Chick Gandil drove a
couple of balls over the left field fence
and Moeller smashed one to the dirt
bank in right field.
Eddie Foster and Milan also hit well.
Foster looks to be in great shape. The
midget declares lIldI ldhu bdil Pios
ing this winter did him world of good.
'I'u have those fellows ready IL We
get a few more warm days like this" re-
marked Manager Grifith. MY pitchers
are all that's bothering me now. If they
will only come through for me 1 shall
have no complaints to make"
johnson Gaining Weight.
Walter johnson has already gained six
not ha4dr
here a week. The great pitcher warmed
up right smart this morning and was
excused from further work. Walter is
doing his own training. and Grin is let
ting him get into condition according
to his own ideas.
Walter tells me that he will be ready
when the season opens, and that's all
ask" commented the Old Fox.
OF youngsters. the work of Paul Smith
attracted considerable attention. The
Michigan Giant is ambidextrous, batting
left handed against right handed
pitcher, right handed when southpaws do
the f1inging.
Doc Ayres showed about the best con-
troll of any of the pitchers. Jim Shaw
was as wild as a March hare. but there
was plenty of stun on the ball when II
sailed over the plate.
Jack Ryan did most of the catching and
Griff stationed himself directly behind
the fingers so that the youngsters were
well coached at both ends.
Billy Allen Remains.
As the Los Angeles club recently signed
Harry WoIter former New York Amer
ican outfielder, Grif will be allowed 70
keep Billy Allen, the young outfielder,
slated for a trip across the continent, and
notified Allen to this effect tonight.
Allen was not keen for the journey.
as he wanted to play in the International
League, providing Griff could not use
him. Griffith now says he will hold tight
TO Allen for the present.
Immediately after dinner tonight Man
ager Griffith called together his pitchers,
recruits and regulars, and for the space
of an hour instructed them in the use of
a set of signals which will be in use
during the coming exhibition games. He
grasped this opportunity to give them a
few pointers on the art of fooling bat
tiers.
Despite the work done yesterday under
.the handicap of a freezing wind, very
fe-- lame arms were in evidence today,
but many of the men complained of sore
back and leg muscles.
No Attempt to Pluck Yet.
Griffith has given out no information
as to which of the recruits Will be sent
away for seasoning. II is easy to see
that several of the youngsters will not
do for the big show, but no attempt to
cut down the squad will be made right
away. There is a surfeit Of outfield ma
terial, and as little or no fielding prac-
tice has thus far been held, the Old Fox
has not had a chance yet to get a line
on the kids.
BY the last of the week the pitchers,
some of them at least. will start throw
ing curve balls and then it will be seen
what sort of hitters the new players
turn out to be. At tie present the twiri-
ere are using only speed.
Two games are booked for Thursday.
Regulars VS.. Yannigans, morning and
afternoon. Nick Altrock was busy this
morning collecting his Yannigan bunch
and mapping out his campaign He de-
clares that he has & number of mild
surprises in store for the boys who
think they are going to start the season
in the Regular lineup.
TO MEET TONIGHT.