Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-25
BILLY ALLEN GOES
BACK TO MINORS
Speedy OutfieIder to Play
With indianapolis Team of
American Association.
BLOOD BLISTER ON SHAW'S
FINGER LAYS HIM UP
Trick of Holding Runners on First
Is Being Taught Young
Twirlers.
BY J. ED GRILLO,

Billy Allen the outfielder secured by
| Manager Griffith from Montreal of the
International League. will play the COM
| ing season with Indianapolis of the
American Association
Allen was notified of his release to thai
club this morning, and will leave to ioin
it sunday.
Allen is undoubtedly one of the best hit
tionals' recruits. But he is not a strong
fielder or thrower. and for that reason
will not be given chance here Griffith.
however. has hopes for him in the future
and will retain string on him, the sale
to Indianapolis giving the local club an
option on Allen at the end of the season
This was the second spring that Allen
has trained with the Nationals He made
a very good showing last year, but was
sent to Montreal for further development
He does not seem to pick up in his weak
points, however
1t was Manager Griffiths intention to
pitch Jim Shaw and Jack Bentley against
the Phillies in the opening game of the
series tomorrow. but it is very likely that
he will have to change these plans be-
cause of blood blister which has de-
veioped on the index finger of Shaws
pitching hand and which makes it pain
full for him to handle the ball. If the
trouble heals before tomorrow Shaw will
be worked. but if not it is likely that
Dick Williams will take his place with
Bentley.
One of the hardest things to teach the
young pitchers is a motion which will
deceive base runners at first base. a
pitchers success depends to a large ex
tent on how well he can hold runners on
that bag, thus cutting down their chances
of stealing second. Griffith has been an
iucessant worker with his young pitch
ers. trying to teach them a motion
which the base runner cannot distinguish
from the regular pitching motion.
Several of the youngsters have proven
apt pupils while others are finding II
hard to hold runners close to the bag.
1t was noticeable in the game yester-
day that Harper has learned motion
which fools the base runners. He had
every man who reached first running
back to the bag when he was deliver
ing the ball to the plate.
Fully two hours were put in at bat
ting practice by Griffith's regular play
ers this morning. For the first fif-
against Walter Johnson's speed. Be-
cause of his perfect control the bat
tiers prefer to face Johnson to any of
the other twirlers. He seldom gets
enough speed to make it comfortable
for the batters TO hit. Following John
son, Cashion, Schwartz and Musser
took their turns on the rubber. There
was a marked Improvement in the hit
ting Of Gandil and Morgan, who are
gradually rounding into form.
Both Milan and Morgan create the inn
preston that they are pounds over
weight because they are wearing a lot
of extra clothes under their uniform.
The fact of the matter is that both
of these players are down to their actual
playing weight and have nothing more
to take off. Joe Boehling, another of
those who carried considerable surplus
flesh, is done several pounds too fine
this spring and would probably be bet
ter off if he gained a little weight. Boeh-
ling is working exceptionally hard. He
is not only taking his regular turn in
pitching practice, but he is batting with
both hitting squads and running around
the circuit after hitting the ball.
Boehing will in all probability be in
better condition this season than ever
before.
Chick" Gandil, the first baseman OF
the Nationals. will be made Red Man
It's evening in Sioux Tribe, No. IS, 1. o.
+. NJ.