Evening star., 1914-05-15
MORNING PRACTICE TABOOED
FOR NATIONALS BY GRIFFITH
Manager Puts Ban on Work Which Is Believed Have
Handicapped Team in Its Playing-Engel
or Shaw to Pitch Today

in and day out has been nothing short of
marvellous. In yesterdays game Mcbride
did yeoman service for Ayers. He made
any number Of difficult stops which would
have bothered the average shorrstop, and
ms play on Denmitt in the sixth. when
on the runner from a difficult position,
was splendid play. 1t was this play
which probably saved the ball game.
Inere was one out when Demmitt hit
a sharp liner TO right center. Milan
barely reached the ball, making one
handed pickup. Demmitt had started for
second. but Milans throw to Mcbride
nailed him, thanks to the perfect ham
ding of the ball by the teams captain.
Ray Morgan played a better game at
second yesterday than he has at any
time this season. Most of his chances
were difficult, and with the exception of
the first one sent into his territory he
handled them all to perfection. Morgan
seems to have struck his stride at last
and his Improvement will mean much to
the team.
There have been few games played on
the local field which furnished such in
tense interest as the one of yesterday.
Even those enthusiasts who clamor for
rd-hitting games were pleased with
the exhibition. which was replete with
brilliant fielding. 1t was a real pitchers
battle, the outcome of which was in
doubt until the last ball was pitched.
These struggles between pitchers always
keep the crowd on tension. but the field
ing and general playing yesterday were
particularly good.
The Nationals are at the 800 mark in
the standing once more. Not since early
in the season have they been able to
pass this mark 1t has been the teams
custom to alternate between victories
and defeats and only once have two
games been Won. in a row. 1t is hoped
that this spell will be broken today. for
once the Nationals get started they
ought to do some climbing.
Yesterday was the first time in fifteen
consecutive games that Clyde Milan has
failed to get one or more hits. The Ma
tionals center fielder has been by far
the most consistent hitter on the team
to date. but he failed to get the ball safe
against Scott YESTERDAY
The plaster cast is to be removed from
Eddie Ainsmith's factured wrist today
and the chances are that he will be able
to get in the game much sooner than
was expected Ainsmith is badly need
ed. for should John Henry meet with an
accident the team would be in a bad
way for catchers. though Williams is
gradually getting his throwing arm in
form.
Had it been necessary to win the game
the chances are that Howard Shanks'
dr1ve in the tenth wonld have been good
Tor home run. The ball was hit hard
and Demmitt who cut across to inter
cept it, failed by yards and the ball was
suii bounding around the right field
wall when Shanks was at third base.
Ihe finish was sensational enough, but
II would have been more SO had two
runs been needed to win and Shanks'
onve had proven good for the circuit.
Il all lat
- cago after the present eastern trim
I'm his team firmly placed in the first
division Il don't see how any Of the
leans team, are going to keep US out Of the
nsst ,,' 1our. | have the pitchers who
also have fair hitting team. Our slump
was due entirely to the fact that those
players who l am satisfied can make
good did not hit up to their form, but
they are going well again and we will
be In the race right down to the finish"
is the way Callahan sized up his chances.
Members of the Chicago team do not
hesitate to express the opinion that Big
Ed Walsh's pitching days are over. Not
withstanding the fact that Jim Callahan
believes there is chance for the big
fellow. the players who have watched
his workouts doubt his having his old
stuff. Furthermore his showing against
the Pittsburgh National League team
last Monday was by no means encourag-
ing Walsh was hit hard by the Pirates.
Walsh himself believes that his arm is
rounding into form and insists that he
will prove Il winner for the Sox this
season.
Tho nearest that the Nationals came to
making hit Off Of Jim Scott during the
first nine innings of the game yesterday
was when Blackburn was charged with
an error on Fosters hard drive in the
seventh. Scott was in excellent form and
retired the side in order for the first six
innings. Ayers had a man on In the
first when Chase tripled, and two of the
visitors reached the bases in the second
when Bodie hit and Morgan fumbIed.
Demmitt was the next man to get on the
bases. in. the sixth. when he hit safely,