Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-29

John Henry will be numbered among
this season. Henry has improved
wonderfully in his stick work. This
7 was noticeable during the last few
weeks of last season. and also this
spring.
Henry, Ainsmith and Williams may
prove to be much better hitters froN
this out than they have been heretofore
and this, too. will be sure to help the
teams showing.
Acosta was sent to bat for Boehling
! In the sixth, and no ball during the
game was hit harder than one he sent
to right field on a line. But unfortu-
nately 1t was right at Becker. who
caught 1t and retired the side. Acosta
mas developed into quite hitter. When
he first Joined the team he relied most
~ on bunting or showing the ball over
the lnfield for his hits. but Griffith got
him to practice hard swinging. and the
little Cuban now takes as healthy a
wallop at the ball as any of the big
men in the lineup.
1t Is strange but true that some of
the best hitters in base ball REQUIRE a
month or more in the spring before
they get into their real batting stride.
Gandil and Morgan belong to this class,
and little is to be expected of them in
an offensive way until about the time
beginners with their bats in the spring
OF the year, but they are sure to come
as the season advances. Constant prac-
tlce, such as these players are indulg-
ing in these days, is sure to have them
in form shortly
Hans Lobert. the Phillies' third base
man, is a great admirer of Walter John
SON, whom he considers the greatest
pltcher the game has ever produced.
Hans was all attention while Walter was
pitching yesterday, and when Walter
picked up his glove and left for the club
house Lobert remarked:
Ihere goes the greatest pitcher~in the
business. 1t is a pleasure to see him
work in a ball game. There is no effort
or waste of time when he is pitching,
and when it comes to speed and stuff
which can't be hit. that fellow has more
than any one l have ever faced. If he
has the breaks 1 don't see how he ever
loses a game
Manager Griffith has by no means
given up hope of developing Bert Gallia
into winning pitcher. The Texan has
SO much natural ability that it is only a
question of his becoming steady to be one
OF the best pitchers on the team. PLAYERS
who have faced Gallia insist that there
is no pitcher in the league who pos
sesses a better curve ball than he but
his greatest fault has been in control,
which has never been good, but is i'm
proving considerably in his recent work
outs Griffith is having Gallia practice
with a spit bail, which if he acquires,
will make him even more effective, for
to be able to mix a spit ball with his
remarkable curve will battle most any
batter. =
Though CLYDE Milan looks to be several
pounds overweight. he seems to have all
his old speed, and AYERS that he is now
lighter by pounds than he was at any
time last season. Milan gives his weight
as 15S pounds. and says that his bulky
appearance is caused by a supply of ex-
ira clothes that he is wearing under his
uniform.
George Mcbride saw the game from the
grandstand. The Nationals captain is
not going to be out of the game much
longer. His injured groin is mending rap
idly and the chances are that he will re-
sumo his position at short field the latter
part of this week. In pinch Mcbride
could get in harness right now, but Grif
fifth will not allow him to play until he
is absolutely certain that the injury has
healed.
Kid Elberfeld. in his day one of the
greatest infielders in the history of base
ball and for several seasons a member
Of the Nationals, Is now a member OF
the Brooklyn National League team. He
is not playing any more, but is Manager
Robinson's first lieutenant in the han
ding of the players, and is making good
with a vengeance. BoZeman Bulger. who
is travelling with the Brooklyn outht,
has the following to say of Elberfeld in
the New York World,
THE rejuvenationof Elberfeld is Won
derful thing, second only to the remodel
ing of that young fellow over at Hot
springs-Honus Wagner 1t appears to
have escaped general notice, but this
same young man Elberfeld played regu-
larly for the Chattanooga club of the
Southern League last year and led in
fielding. He batted close to $50 and fin
ished second to Dave Robertson, now
with the Giants
Trainer Mike Martins services are
very much in demand for next fall Not |
only has the man who keeps Grifhth's |
players in condition been approached by |
officials of the Naval Academy of An
napolis, who want him to take charge |
Of the athletes here, but Coach Hegarty |
If a. and NJ. College of Raleigh was here
and had long conference |
with Martin relative to his coming there |
in the fall and training the foot ball
team. II is not unlikely that Martin
will accept the A and NJ. proposition.
though he has not yet given a definite ]
answer.