Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-25
BY J. ED GRILLo.

That Manager Griffith has a most eX-
cellent corps of young pitchers was dem
onstrated in the two games yesterday,
when at least five of the recruits had a
chance to prove their ability. Dick Will
liams, who finished the morning game for
the Colts, undoubtedly has the making of
a great pitcher. while the showing of
Engel, Harper. Bentley and Shaw in the
afternoon contest was of a kind that
leads one to believe that Bob Groom
will not be missed.
The improvement which the youngsters
who were with the team last fall are
showing is nothing short Of remarkable.
Harper and Bentley, for instance, handle
themselves like finished twirlers. and
both are sure to be heard from in the
coming campaign.
Harper worked in four innings against
the Regulars and was hit safely three
times, every one of the hits being of
the scratch variety. He struck out five
men and appeared to have good control.
Bentley, too. was successful, and Jim
Shaw. who is picked to. be .one of the
teams mainstays, worked in his usual
good form.
Joe Engel worked for three innings,
during which he created the impression
that his arm is sound again. He had
world of speed, and his motion was
smooth. Scout Mike Kahoc, who was
watching Engel. gave it as his opinion
that he would prove a formidable run
ming mate for Walter Johnson this
season.
"Engel," said Kahoe, seems to have
recovered the full use of his arm, and
YOU will find him a good pitcher this
things, and he will. in my judgment. be
next to Walter Johnson in the matter
of winning games.
Johnny NIumford will in all probability
pitch most of the game against the
Georgetown collegians today. Mumford
is believed to be in good form and he
may go the entire route. The game is
called for 3 o clock.
There is nothing about the playing oil
the Griffith squad that would indicate
the players not being in pretty fair shape.
The running. throwing and fielding are
easily up to the standard, and II there
is anything lacking it is the batting eye.
This, however, is to be expected since
the PLAYERS have had little opportunity
at this feature of the game In fact.
there has been more batting practice
since the team came home than it had
during it's entire stay at CharlotteSNll!e.
The opening of the season is still nearly
three weeks off and in that time, II the
weather continues Ialr the team ought "
be in perfect trim from every standpoint.
BY the time the Nationals have gone
through the long string of exhibition
games which opens today with the game
with Georgetown one should have Il fair
ly good line on its strength, and these
games surely should serve the purpose
of fitting the players for the campaign.
a majority of these games will be with
National League teams, against which
Griffith proposes to work his young
pitchers 1t will be real test for the
youngsters and will give an idea as to
what chance they stand to hold their
own when the season opens.
From now on every pitcher who is
worked during batting practice will use
everything he has in the way of deceiv-
ers. Griffith issued this order yesterday.
There is no sense in letting a lot of
! players hit nothing but speed. They can
all do that. but the right kind of prac-
tee is to let a pitcher mix up his deliv-
cries and pitch as II there was some
thing at stake" said Griff That will
furnish real practice. From this on all
my pitchers will use their curve and