Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-03
Of Proper Training May Be Costly Nationals Start Of Seaso
GRIFFITH MAY HAVE TROUBLE
GETTING HIS MEN IN SHAPE
Cold Weather Which Is Preventing Outdoor Work,
Likely to Handicap the Nationals Seriously Dur
ing the Early Days of the Season-Other
News of Training Camp.

pearance on the rubber he will be quite
different looking pitcher from what he
was last fall That hurky-jerky motion
which characterized Harpers delivery is
undergoing d change. Griffith and Alt
rock, after a conference yesterday morn
ing concerning Harper. decided that he
would have to change his style, and they
sent him through course of stunts to
which he took kindly and which will
change his pitching.
Harper now has a long, free swing and
does not turn his head away from the
batter. as he did formerly 1t was this
motion which interfered with his control.
it is claimed, because he would not have
the plate in sight when he delivered the
ball. The youngster seems to have no
trouble in changing his style and as he
has grown considerably since last fall,
there is good chance of his develop
ing into a valuable pitcher.
Merito Acosts who contracted a severe
cold en- route here from Cuba. will not be
allowed to don uniform for a few days
yet.
John Henry took his initial workout OF
the spring yesterday. He worked with
the pitching staff both morning and after
noon. and gave evidence of already being
in good shape. Johns knee. which gave
him so much trouble season before last.
seems to be entirely mended. lie reports
that he has heard nothing from the in
jury in months.
Even if Nick Altrock was of no service
during the regular season. he would be a
valuable man 10 have around in the spring
when Young pitchers are BEING tried out.
The veteran is quick to detect any fault
that a youngster may have in delivering
the ball and he has the knack of showing
him how he can overcome this weakness.
Altrock in his day was an expert at
holding runners close to first base. and
he gives every one of the young pitchers
instructions in this art. which is proving
most beneficial. There is whole lot more
to Altrock than his comedy. He is one
of the best versed men in the game on
svstems which should be employed by
pitchers. and as he is very popular with
all the youngsters. his advice is often
sought. Griffith. too. has the utmost con-
fidence in Altrock's ability to teach. and
he has given him a free hand to instruct
the tWirlerS.
There is some similarity in the pitching
Of Dick. Williams and Walter Johnson
Williams. like johnson, has side-arm de-
livery and terrific speed. and unlike most
of the recruits also has a curve ball
which compares favorably with that Of
any pitcher on the squad.
Williams is barely out of his teens.
and has had only about two months
experience in professional base ball
These were Spcn. with the Helena club
last season. yet he gives every promise
of making a remarkable pitcher. though.
of course. tho lack of experience will
be a handicap for a while.
After watching Jim Shaw work out
Yesterday Manager Griffith remarked
that he had not seen a pitcher in years
whose actions were so much like those
of the once famous Amos Rusie.
Shaw handles himself very much
like that wonderful pitcher of the
Giants" said Griff, and lot me tell
he Shaw. like Rusie. has great speed
with Il shoot on his fast one. and he
has that same fast curve ball which
helped to make Rusie famous. Shaw's
fast one. and if he doesn't make
great pitcher I miss my guess"
Shaw. very wisely. is taking things
easy. In his workouts he is only
he sure not to injurc his arm before
it is strong enough to stand a strain
Gallia and Williams are the only
tate to let their arms out now and
then. but both had been working for
several weeks before reporting here.
and are on edge to pitch a full game
of ball.
1t was the intention to have the infield
on Lambeth Field raked and rolled with
a steam roller yesterday. but the unex-
pecteO arrival OF a cold wave, which
froze the ground hard. necessitated the
abandonment of this plan. The grounds
are in miserable condition for the first
time since the Nationals haze been train
ing here and it will require several days
of a hot sun before any Improvement
can be made on them. Even with con-
ditions favorable it is estimated that 1t
will he not earlier than Monday before
the PLAYERS can hope to work out on the
field. 1t is needless to say that there is
but one place on which ball team can
be conditioned. and that is ball field,
where the game can be practiced.
The actions of some of the youngsters
are such that John Mumford who for
years was one Of the attendants at the
government insane ASYLUM. says he feels
perfectly at home. Most Of the kids are
doing just enough exercising to feel good.
but when the days come that they have
to work twice day out In the open.
where they will be asked to do lot of
fly chasing. there is sure to be a change
in their general demeanor.