The Washington times., 1914-06-04
HIS PLAYERS NOT
AFFECTED, He SAYS
Only Four Griffmen Have Ten
Days Release Clause in
Their Official Papers.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

for the sake of organized baseball to
hear of that favorable decision in re-
gard to the legality of the contract,
but even had the decision been diff
ferent, it would not have affected our
club in the slightest. There are only
four men on our rolls who have the
ten-day clause in their contract. In
other words. they have a straight
one-year document that is as binding
as any instrument ever drawn up"
That is the comment Clark Grif-
fifth had to make this morning after
he had read the johnson case.
These Federals are just q gang OF
buffers who are trying to get some
large cities into believing that they
have major league ball. They are posi-
lively slated to blow. for 1 happen to
know that since We have been here
that Brooklyn club has been drawing
less than 900 people a day. Wait until
they try to pay some OF their fancy
salaries on such a gate as that and
see how long the dream will last.
Furtk~>lone, i do not think that a
again be allowed to play in our organi-
zation-''
Ed Ainsmith reported here Today. He
may give his injured arm a trial in
one OF the games insthe West.
Tonight both GriAnen and Yankees
leave the big town for the West. The
the Griffmen viii keep right on their
way to ST. Louis, where they open a
series Saturday.
i may be wrong in my dope, but I
cannot recall another instance in which
We have copped twice in one afternoon
since ] have been in Washington" vas
the gleetul comment of Clark Griffith
today as he discussed yesterdays
games.
1t is the general excellence of his
pitchers and the fact that his club has
been able to hit at opportune mo-
ments that have added to the joy of
the leader of the Griffmen. Barring an
occasional wildness, Jim Shaw went
through that first game yesterday in
grand shape. His curve ball was lot
up to the standard of some of his
previous performances; still, he had
SO much speed that he tipped it
through most impressively when the
able TO get through without being
scored upon, although in the sixth the
paths were janlmed when the final re-
tirement was recorded.
Had it not been for the roughness of
the inheld, Joe Engel would probably
have gone through the second engage
ment with all sails set. and have al
most eoualed the work of Shaw. En-
gel lived up TO his reput alton for lack
ing control. and was responsible for
free transportation to the opposition
on eight occasions. Then. after these
slips had put him into jams. he would
gather himself together and become
invincible- In the fifth inning ne had
two out and two on when Maisel
whipped bounder toward third. Fos-
ter was set, but the ball took wild
and untamsd hop Just as il was about
70 be felded. and skidded down the
foul line for a double that sent two
over.
II the next Wally Smith was sussti-
tCted as hitter. and Ayers. who lias
been working overtime of late, was in
pearsnce of the Virginia surgeon the
TaDks' chances went glimmerins.
Ayers simply buZzed them over a mile
a minute. and, while he faltered no
mentarily in the closing session. he
was master all the other part, his con-
troll being especially good.
That home run drive by Shaw was
one of the hardest hit balls ever seen on
the Fairgrounds of the Giants and
regular attendants. Shaw never pro-
tended to be a wonderful sluEEer. but
he got hold of that one. and from
the time il left the bat till it found =
landing place, it had Travelled half the
vav up among the seats in the far
removed bleachers in right field. The
next time he came up the smiling
twirler crashed one into righ. for q
single.
In the second inning of the second
half Of the afternoons pastiming, great
pair of home runs for the Grlffs
Shanks picked one almost to the wall.
but Cole got back far and fast. and
nailed II. and a moment lator N VIII
liams was robbed bv Walsh. who got
across and baggcd a terrific liner.
T-uesdaIe committed highway robbery
on Gandil in capturing a grounder over
toward second in the third that killed
what appeared 70 be an excellent chance
for the Nationals to score.
Al williams continues his good work
behind the plate. NunaTaker told
Chance before the rsme that the vanks
could steal everything but Williams
glove.
The New yortarS took all sorts ri
chances on the bases hut their activi-
" got them little as Williams usually
anticinatAd their starts and whipped
down to Mcbride or Morgan and turned
tfem hack when a little more judgment.
after early failures, might have gotten
then run or two more.
The umpirinS continues to be-well
what's the use? Griffith has abaY1oned
the lines and does his shouting from
the bench. leaving II a. Scha~fer NJ
trock, Henry and Gedeon to direct the
runners.
Before the game was fairly under way
O'LouRhlin was "on'' the Grifmen and
Altrock and Schaefer had lot OF fun
at the EXPENSE Of the over active ar
bitter by holding their fingers over their
mouths and pointing to the umpire
every time the crowd tried 10 get either
Of the comedians to open up with some
~ their coaching antics.
The Nationals continue to draw well.
rhere were sbout a dozen thousand
present yesterday.
Jim Delahanty. who used TO second
base AT Washington and who is now
with the Feds. was a visitor last night.
- is not believed however. that b