The Washington times., 1914-08-20

Einia team who was highly recommend
ed but failed to show during the short
| time that he was given a tryout in
| morning practice here. He was sent to
but, failing 20 impress there. was re-
| turned to Griffith.
1t was only his loyalty to the club
| that prompted George Mcbride to 20
| into that contest yesterday. He was So
Ill when 1t came time to dress that
he was hardly able to drag on his uni
form, and he was almost staggering
when the heat hit him. However. he
stuck to the place as long as he could
before he was finally forced to quit,
and Wally Smith was sent in. It was
an error by the captain that led up 70
those runs that were made off Harper,
but those who knew how the field lead
er was suffering were not inclined to
blame him or the poor exhibition of
shortstopping that he gave.
1t was Harry Harpers first start here
and he did not look bad. Had it not
been for the error by Mcbride he
would probably have gone the full dis
tance, but when the Browns got away
Griffith to do but substitute a hitter
which led to the retirement of Harper
in favor OF Shaw.
Shaw was none too strong while he
performed and finally he gave way 10
Bentley, who was later relieved by Bar
ron.
the Hagerstown team, was being
warmed up yesterday during the latter
part Of the game. He is a big right
handler, who will be shot into the game
the first opportunity that presents IT.
self.
Jim Austin was missing from yester-
days game. The trouble he had with
the umpire the day previous was of
such nature that a report was made
to Chicago. and when the teams
reached tie park yesterday there was
Ing the urnpires that Austin had drawn
an indefinite suspension
From the stand II appeared as
though Austin had made simply a
perfunctory kick, but the action of
the president Of the league would indI-
the umpires in different games has
aroused B. B. johnson to such an ex-
tent that he intends to back up his ar
biters by Furnishing every man who
makes the slightest sort Of a protest
It was pointed out in these columns
on Sunday that the principal weakness
of the young Griffthian pitchers was
their utter failure to field their posi-
tons There does not seem to be n
young man on the staff. barring Wal
ter johnson, who seems to appreciate
the fact that firing the ball to the bat
ter is only a small part of his job. and
twice yesterday the weakness cropped
out. Once II was Harper and the next
time 1t was Shaw.
Why a man will stand in the center
of the diamond while the ball is being
thrown aroubd is beyond comprehen-
sion. The place for a pitcher when
there are men on and the ball is hit is
behind the man to whom the ball is
thrown. Griffith. Mcbride, and Henry
have shouted this thing until they are
almost hoarse, and until there is
ready response to these pleadings none
OF the young pitchers can hope to
develop.
There is absolutely no excuse for this
Weakness. which goes to give the i'm
preston that Harry Harper, Jim Shaw
ana the rest. who possess such EXCEL
lent mechanical possibilities. are failing
in one of the essential qualifications for
their position. "
The Nationals made great rush in
the eighth inning. and piled up four
runs but the disadvantage they w.r.
Trying to overcome was too great snd
they fell short by three scoreg