The Washington times., 1914-02-20
DAN MOELLER SIGNS
. CONTRACT FOR 1914
Daredevil" Base Runner Ar
rives in Town and Hooks Up
for One Season Here.
By THOMAS KIRBY.


Danny MoeIler rightfie1der. and his
ride of a few weeks arrived in Wash
nston today. and at noon his name was
ou a contract that binds him to the
Nationals for one year.
Moeuer has been travelling ever since
is marriage but he is in good shape,
nd is anxious to go on to Chariottes-
iile TO start preparation for the cam
laign in which he hopes to swing into
The batting stride that will answer the
Question of what shall be done about
Increasing the offensive strength OF the
outer gardeners.
This is the open season for the for
nation of baseball leagues.
No matter what else might be SAID
bout the Federal League, II must De
Omitted that the collection has them
III stopped in the matter of publicity
The press agent of the Circuit, IN
uanner tnat would make envious even
Toby Hamilton, who handled the news
the greatest show on earth, he Feds
preventative, is spread ng his grape
~ rough the days instead OF using the
Couble-barr in one grand Dlo"-ou'
that would soon be forgotten oy the
expectant baseba public.
NCy comes another league which pro
loses to include Washington in its cir
cuit which is to stretch along the At
lantic seahoard. Richmond folks CLAIM
to have assurances that the moNemehI
viii re a success and they have asked
Clark Griffith what are the chances oI
staging their contests AT National park.
In reply the leader of the Nationals
mas wireC the following:
This is news TO me. No one has ap-
.roach,.d me with view TO locating
II, washington a team belonging TO a
cw baseball league TO b. composed o.
ANS from Richmond, Newark, bal
more and a number Of other cities.
( tney had 7 would have turned 1t
Gown. Ny team, with which / hope TO
and the pennant, or come mighty near
this year, will give Washington ell
he baseball 1t needs. The idea "f nav
lng another league herc--a minor league
to play OH our grounds While we are
way. does net appeal TO me. neither
do We hale any neal of a farm right
IA Washington for our surplus play
ers"
Griffith today denied story that came
out of New York last night TO the eifec'
hat he had rendered three-year con
,ract to Captain Mclaughlin, of the Col
late University team.
There's noih ng to that story except
that my attention vas called to Ne
i.aughlin's aork ard ] told a friend OF
mis- that il he should like to play profes-
~ional baseball ] would Oe glad TO make
q, propos. .tiOn. Ii he waits To JON Us
would like to have him, but don't
.vant to do anH thing tuat might COM
Jromise h m with the authorities At
"oIgate was the way Grifhth explained
The situation this afternoon:
McIaughlin IS an outfelder who has
zen causing quite furore IN the inter
rOIiegiate ranks by his ability as a hit
lcr and fielder.
Rasebalrs latest hysteria is 4 sweep
ing demand for athletic trainers to in
crease the speed or hoof of payers. but
The idea finds no support in Clark Grh-
iith.
Jhe Washington manager has re-
reiyed a score of letters from men who
nave developed college track teams and
in seeking a berth here, they have
Tointed out that the5 can add TO the
.leetness OF the players through
training camp. Several of the major
lubs already have trainers OF this class,
ut Griffith opines that the whole idea
il foolish.
speed than he has in h II" philosophers
the Canny Griffith. of course. / un-
Jerstand that a trainer Of q track team
an smooth over some OF the rouSh
pots in 4 mars form. but there $
" hole lot nj difference between getting
speed on the strai. htaway ana Killing
lime getting down 10 lrSt base
When d spr.nter goes to the mark
be has a certain position from men
lc always arises, but with batter IL
- different. SciCom iOes a man JAinE
md get away irom the plate N exactly
l.ie same way. AS ne improves il. ms
lttinI he gathers speeI cy naturally
&"lnG:ng into stride that will carry
nm down there faster.
he Sine Inns goes iOr base run
nng. II leading base runner S not
I.ecsssariIy the fastest man. True, speed
helps. out IL is that instinct that
I,lOmPts man to be star ting in the
rlg.t direction as the pitcher winds up
and then catching his full speed in a
stride or two that helps DuIId up the
records OF a PLAYER n swiplng sacks.
Any suggestions as to running viii
come from Nike Martin who mas the
urneitt Of having studied running M
DOth baseball and on the track"
One idea of how a payer may add to
his fe. ding speed is offered in the case
Il Howard ShGnks.
When Shanks came here he had a
manner Of standing in the outfeld with
M feet about yard apart. In this
.CE-tson II Is a physical impossib.IIty for
man to move In any direction with
oui shifting his who.e weight, for his
:cet mist come closer before he can
catch stride. True. it means only the
less Of small fract on OF time, still
when IL IL considered tnat many a time
an outfieIder loses a fly by couple of
inches, tn handicap which he places
u9on himself may be appreciated.
SGanks drew his feet in, assumed a
hatural erect position and il was not
long before he was being cheered all
nc:ding in going in every direction and
killing near-base hits that would have
escaped Z less alert player.