The Washington times., 1914-03-29
By THOMAS KIRBY.


Suppose Clark Griffith had brought
hack a gang Of ball players from Char
lottesville In the same condition in
which the Philadelphia Nationals ap-
peared. what would those who make
the game possible here, through their
patronage, have thought?
During the stay Of the Nationals in
Virginia. thousands were misled- BY re-
peated stories that it would be impos-
sibie to bring the athletes home in
proper physical shape. It was contend
ed that the experience, surrounded by
snow, would mean that sae players
could not be rounded to in time to
make even a fair showing at the outset
But during the week that has elapsed
since their return to their lair the Grif-
men have demonstrated that they are
physically ready, and should even now
be ready to jump into the champion
ship campaign Two weeks reilain he
fore the games that really count are
started. and IL there is 10 -ethacx
through injury or incIenent weather.
no team that has ever -ep-eserssI
1914 club.
This is not to convey the Impression
that the Nationals are now prepared q
leap into the saddle and 90 zzIooirz
away at a pace that cannot be over
come by any Of the other entrants Tre
team, as whole. is still In dire need ot
practice. especially in hitting. before L
reaches the height pf its game. But
already they have shown that their gen
eral physical fitness Is superior To AZ
least one squad that went further into
the Southland in the hope Of getting an
early stride that would give them the
drop on other contestants
Il have been through this stuff Of
going almost to Mexico TO train a Wash
ington club. and know that our team
lust now is whole lot better of than
when Cantillon used TO hike of to
Texas says Willie Fowler who has
long held down the office of business
manager.
1T may be that when you go to the
cold weather are considerably less, but
when you start that trip back-Good-
night, One day We would be playing
IN sweltering weather. and the next
afternoon the men, having moved to an
other town for a game, would be shiver-
tng under all the clothes they could
pile on.
No doubt the club was somewhat up
against it at Charlottesville this spring,
but they all look pretty good. at that"
After considering a number of places.
tho management has decided to have
the downtown ticket office Of the Ma
uonals at Spalding's. in Fourteenth
street northwest. Here reserved seats
may be purchased from nine in the
morning until an hour before the game.
Police regulations, as to the handling
of pedestrians and motorists at National
Park. will this year be the same as OBJ
tsined in the past. according to the
plans of Capt. William F. Falvey, who
Is in charge of the L street precinct.
For many seasons there was conges-
ton and some few accidents. bat the
place where there have been practically
no suggestions for further improve
ment- No automobiles will be allowed
TO enter the park. and those parked on
Georgia avenue must continue the sys-
tenn of going north after the game,
thereby allowing the less fortunate
fanatics who must nickel il TO the
game to depart without risking life and
limb
tion for a two-game series with Brooklyn.
which opens tomorrow. In view Of the fact
that the neen from across the bridge from
Manhattan are expected TO be considerable
Contenders IN that National League race. the
set Of games here should draw well.
Doc Ayers and Dick williams may DO the
pitching against the Dodgers tomorrow.
Nick Altrock is putting On his act at the
Gayety this afternoon He will repeat to-
night when the ball players will be on hand
10 pass Judgment upon his ability a a real
actor.
Mike Martin. the Nationals trainer. has
been offered the position Of trainer OF the
North Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical
College football and baseball teams. The job
was Profered by Jack Hegarty. the former
Georgetown captain. who is coach Of the
Tar Heels and who hopes TO have Dave White
with him next year assistant.
Martin has taken the proposition under
advisement and may accept in case he
should be able to arrange his schedule at
this end.
George Mcbride may be out for a short
Practice tomorrow. The captain is only too
anxious get back. but his manager does
not intend to take chances Of having per-
mRnently injured the one who has proven
valuable the directing genius CT one
Of the greatest defensive teams baseball las
ever known.