The Washington times., 1914-03-16
Climbers Will Clash With Most Formidable Outfit

Climbers Will Clash With
The plan is to have the regulars
clash with the best outfit it is possible
TO corral from the recruits. By this
arrangement the men who are to bear
the brunt in the championship cam
paign will not be afforded the best
practice possible, but at the same time
the chief will be able to for man es-
innate of the ca!iber of the newcom-
ers by seeing them In live competition
Today some of the players are some
what stiff in the muscles and joints;
still the unanimous opinion at the
House of Griffith is that more benefit
was derived from the two hours and
ten minutes that We're spent on Lam
beth field than in all the other prac-
tice periods combined.
Better weather for spring practice
could hardly be ina gined. There was
no wind whatever and the sun was
sufficiently warm. without being op-
pressive. to enable the athletes TO en-
ter into their work with all the dash
and life that usually characterized a
clever team in July.
About l,000 students and town folks
gathered in the cement stands and
SO Interesting was the practice that
few left before quits were finally
called by Griffith. Several times the
snappy work drew forth applause.
1t was the first time since this was
chosen as a training camp that the
Griffmen have not rested on the first
day of the week. But the bai,ny weat tn
er and the realization that his men Were
in dire need of outdoor work caused
Griffith to crash precedent
Three years ago the Montreal club.
being conditioned in this place. but were
stopped, as come parties thought that it
was violation of Sunday blue laws.
Yesterday, however. the Nationals were
not interfered with in any way. although
every player was cautioned before leav-
ing the gymnasium that ne was to be
quiet This is the only exception Grif-
fiti has ever made to his order for
everybody to talk it up at all times
while in uniform.
For more than an hour and half
the regulars were given batting prac-
tice. seven pitchers being used to serve
them up.
1t was the second time since arriving
that the men had real practice, but the
work yesterday was q decided improve
terday il was warm enough to make
the work pleasant.
Gallla. Collier Bentley. Johnson, Eoeh-
ling. Shaw. and Williams were worked
in order. They were forbidden to curve.
hut were allowed to use the fastest bali
at their command. Considering the sud
den change from indoor to outdoor
work. the control was excellent. and few
Of the batters had to walt before they
got the ball coming over which they had
Ia either hit or have strikes called on
them.
Gallia has just recovered from an IN
disposition that followed immediat telv
upon his arrival. but he was kent in the
box yesterday longer than any OF the
ether men. Collier and Bentley each
worked about fifteen minutes the latter
showing exceptional control and giving
the batters considerable trouble in land
ing on his fast ball which he served
straight across.
Nhen Walter Johnson came onto the
rubber he received an ovation from the
crowd, and was soon shooting them over
AT his old speed, which meant that tn"
EItters had trouble in getting the ball
beyond the reach Of the surplus players
who were scattered about the field
1t was the first time since last fall
that the Washington players faced John
SON. and none Of them seemed sore when
Griffith told Swift he was excused
and EOehling was sent in. Following
BOenlinE came Jim Shaw, whose pitchin
was one of the features of the day 1t
was feared last autumn that one Of the
troubles that the big Iittsburgher might
have would be in keeping the hall where
ne wanted it Yesterday, however n.
pitched to whatever spot Jack Ryan in
dIcated. and he kept up his good work OF
the previous day in demonstrating that
he is such a master of his speedy shoot
that wildness should give him little trou-
ble.
All Of the catchers-Henry. Aias,nitn.
and Williams-are strong in their praises
Of Shaw. and if he does not join Johnson
and 1Ioehling as a regular it will be dis
unctly surprising to those who have fol-
lowed his work here.
Dick Williams was allowed to curve
and ne experienced some little trouble
in keeping the ball over the plate
therely y suffering somewhat in com
Jarison with the others. who had the
easier task of using nothing but the
fast ball
Doc Ayers was to have taken his
fling at pitching. but in batting he
caught the ball on the end of the
bat end the shock was so great that he
opened an old cut on Il finger in his
pitching hand. Follow ng the accident
he was excused for the afternoon.
Griffith thought that the excellent
conditions would prove too great a
temptation to Joe Engel TO cut loose. SO
the native W Nashingtonian was not sent
10 the box. Chasing flies constituted
InGel work, and. as a result Of the
comparative rest, he was feeling great
today. and said he was ready to twirl
as soon as the boss said the word.
Parental objection TO Sunday base
bail hep; Harry Harper from putting
on rs "une.' Harper has a clause in
his contract that excuses him from al
baseball on Sunday. so he mingled with
the crowd and watched the practice
from afar.
Paul Musser is still under the care of
DR.. Martin, with tonsilitis the cause OF
the layoff. Last nights supper was the
first meal that Musser had with the
other athletes n more than twenty-four
hours. His throat is still quite sore,
but he thinks all danger of real set
back has passed.
Cube" Acosta was on the field wrap
ped up in a heavy sweater. A long
conversation in Spanish was all the
exc c:ss the Cuban had as the trainer