The Washington times., 1914-05-18
Game at $500 p m.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

his place behind the bat for the Ma
tionals.
While the injured digit of the heavy
receiver is not yet normal, it has Sc
fa- recovered that he is able to worI
and there is probability that he viii
work this afternoon.
When the club assembled this morn.
ing and Griffith told the men that
d.. Ayers would probably pitch this
afternoon, the big twirler reminded the
manager that Monday is his ill-starred
day. While in the Virginia League
il was almost impossible for Ayers 20
win, and since coming up he has had
his most narrowing experiences, on the
first day of the week.
Griffith thinks II might be possible
u smash this hoodoo, and plans to use
Aver: and Williams, put should a late
shift be made it will be Johnny Bent
ley ana Henry. Bentley suffered from
a sore arm all last week, but he now
seems fit, and may be accommodated
by being allowed 20 start against
Cleveland.
Il said weeks ago the Federal League
was living on a bluff Sc far as major
league baseball was concerned, and now
/ think there are lot of people here
will agree with me-" smiled Griffith
today as ne discussed that game here
yesterday.
''They tell me that some Of the players
on the Washington amateurs had not
had bat in their hands since last fall.
Still one run was all that the leaders in
the Federals had on them at the finish.
So far as the class of baseball is con-
cerned, the Federal is Joke, and the
public in the cities represented On that
circuit will soon be finding It out. Of
course, they have enough clubs to make
up a league, but whe nit comes to talk
ing about big league baseoall-good
night"
Judging by the age ard general con-
ers, the Feds might change the name of
their outfit to the silver Threads
Among the Gold League"
-
About 1000 baseball followers are today
discussing the game they saw in east
Washington yesterday, and, if a poll
were taken, 1t would probably be found
an almost unanimous opinion that some
one is being kidded into believing that
the Federal League is major circuit.
placed their best team on the field
would be untrue. While club is natur-
ally anxious to make as good a showing
as possible, it is impossible to get the
proper amount of enthusiasm among
professionals in contests that do not
enter into the seasons championship
rating.
Still, making due allowance for these
traditional features, that team that beat
the r. P. Andrews club by to does
not approach in any respect even the
Chicago White Sox, the team that is
at National Park.
Otto Knabc, former member OF the
Philadelphia Nationals and now man
ager of the Baltimore Feds, is still of
a caliber Of the major class. but there
was not another man on the field who
mas shown that he could hang on in
either the American or the National.
by this Il is not meant that there are
not couple CT pretty good looking
players among the men who paid the
Sunday visit 10 Washington, still as
sure enough major league club-neyer.
1t cannot be said that the Baltimore
Feds are not representative Of ISilptore 5
league for they are now we'll out IN
front in the race. still IL they were to-
day tc be coupled in a series with
either Detroit or New York, the end
" ould probably never come.
4
The Feds have raised havoc with or
EaniZed baseball. this must be admit
tee by those who are most loyal 10 the
National Commission. They have Ge-
IriVed the real leagues of quite a few
Taiuable players and have virtually
wrecked more than one Of the upper
minor league combinations. Thousands
CT collars in real money have been in
estcd in the venture, but when il comes
10 the quality Of baseball they are fur
lIishinS, there would be rude awaken
ing Of the GnsoDnisticated and nlIsIed
should tire best of their teams ever hook
Ip with good minor league Club. !cav-
ing aside all consideration Of the yeap
ing and snashing of teeth SHOULD they