The Washington times., 1914-04-01
By THOMAS KIRBY.

George Mcbride is prepared TO jump
into the game as soon as Clark Griffith
releases the captain from his present in
voluntary servitude.
Starting here, report has spread
throughout the East that McEride's in
jured groin is in such shape that he is
about TO undergo an operation. When
shown the story today, Griffith gave it
the lie, and he was supported by Nc
Bride who said that under no condition
would he allow a surgeon 10 use knife
On him.
For the first time since the return OF
the Nationals. Mcbride was out yester
day practicing. wnite he did not take
matters stren'Iously, he was feeling no
matters strei. lousIy, he was Ieeiing no
and this morning ne tossed for hall an
hour. and then took a long lrot To lin
Der up.
Mcbride mas no limp in his walk and
as long as he does not attempt 10 get
mis- fun stride, he feels no hitch lie
Eas becn able to handle the bali with
out pain. but the TACT that the ground
has been none too secure has prompted
his manager TO keep the shortstop in
civilian clothes while his mess mates
are conditioning themselves in games
with home-going clubs, the results of
which engagements 90 not enter into
kl6 eQualb1l dS 10 WHICH Is tut
est and aimost-greatest in the Amer
can League.
That Mcbride was worse hurt than
at first thought cannot be Sainsaid.
but the exact seriousness of the in
jury is problematical. However, the
the word of the player and trainer
that the injury has been grossly ex-
aEgerated.
The diamond was awash at reporting
time this morning and Griffith ordered
all hands under the stands. the reg
uiars were soon excused, but the young
pitchers went to the pits, and for an
hour practiced holding men on the
bases with Griffith. Altrock. and
Schaefer watching every move and Of
fering suggestions
The impression created by Brooklyn
Yesterday, when the Nationals lost their
first exhibition game by to Q, was most
favorable. Robinsons club is by all
odds the strongest team that the Griff-
men have seen this spring, and the
visitors seem TO be in remarkably good
condition for SO early in the year.
While the victories over the Phillies
did not mean anything in particular.
neither did the defeat yesterday have
remarkable significance. except IL gave
the Nationals by all odds the best I.rac-
lice they have had since they went to
'ndfiOttesNlie 10 commence ~Orh.
Many who went out were disappoint-
60 by the announcement that Jake
Daubert had gone home suffering from
injuries. Still. his absence was atoned
for in a great measure by the remark
Die fielding exhibition Of the trio Of
Brooklyn outer gardeners.
Wilbert Robinson has a theory that
the most valuable right fielder should
be a left handed thrower. His idea is
that no matter in what way man NAV
ne going he Is in a better position to get
he ball back to the bases Yesterday
lie made d shift in his combination.
2laying Stengel in right and moving
Dalton over to center, leaving Zach
Wheat in his regular place in left.
Each one of the outfelders had two
chances of handling fly balls, or rather
;hey made opportunities for at least
half of the drives they succeeded in get
ling would have dropped safe on a less
"xpert three. At times 1t appeared as
'hough IL was impossible to get the ball
beyond the reach OF the men in the gar
den, and the game had not progressed
tar before the crowd appreciated the
TACT that il was watching some wonder
iul outfield team work, and literally
"pplauded each play.
ia getting the ball away StengeI DaI-
on and Wheat also excel. Each seemed
," have had ball in his hand on enough
"ccasions 10 know how it feels and. in
sJ.ao Of fondling IL as sCrne are wont d
= shot back to keep the hit down 20 the
-sa''t possible numb4r Of bases.
On the bases the Brooklynites also
show a world OF speed. taking adj
vantage of every opening and yesterday