The Washington herald., 1914-03-22

him cheer as he jumped into the
taxi.
With the exception of Henry
Collier, the lanky finger from
Georgia, every member of the
squad had been in the National
Capital before.
The boys were glad TO get away from
snowbound Charlottesville and have
been ordered to report at National Park
bright and early Monday morning. where
they viii do their work under the smell
ter Of the big grand stand. until the field
is ready to receive them.
Grin assigned his players to the Dewey
Hotel, Fourteenth and X streets. and the
New Ebbitt. Capt Mcbride, Henry,
johnson, Milan, Mumford. Ainsmith,
Acosta. and senor Munoz are a. the
Dewey. Cashion. Gedeon, Shanks. Wally
Smith, Paul Smith. Allen. Musser. Boehl-
ing, Ayers, Harper. Dick Williams and
Collier can be four at the Ebbitt-
Billy Lee is staying with his brother
at 62i A street northeast. and Jim Shaw
lives at 1904 G street
Chick Gandil. Danny Moeller, Eddie
Foster, Joe Engel and Ray Morgan are
already established in Washington
give me one week of nice warm
weather and 1 viii have my men In
pretty fair shape" declared Manager
Griffith, just before the train pulled in
10 Union Station last night.
My players are all in good pnysicai
condition. even George Mcbride could
play tomorrow IL necessary. We need bat
ting practice badly, and 1t VIII be TINS
feature of the work that shall pay more
attention to than anything else just as
soon as we are able to practice on tne
Florida avenue field.
Griff has worked his pitchers hard Wniie
in Charlottesville. Both youngsters ana
recruits have been required to timber mp
twice a day rain or shine, and all OF
them with the exception of johnson ana
Boehling have thrown curves.
According to Trainer Mike Martin there
is not a lame arm in the bunch. Several
of the youngsters are bit shy OF con-
troll. but the season will not open Tor
nearly three weeks and Grin feels con-
fident that every man will be able to toe
the scratch ready to give a good account
of himself.
Leo Martin. the semi-pro inielder from
Tenehy, N. J.. has been sent home. he
lacked experience and will not be ripe
for fast company for several years. Mar
tin fights the ball in the field, and pulls
away from the plate when at bat.
Grin stated last night that he was
going to try and place Martin with some
minor league club.
soon after we started practice IN Char
lottesville,' Martin told the writer. II
did my best, but the other fellows played
better ball. hope Griff sends me away
TO a smaller league, for i believe that /
will yet be in the majors"
Martin is a quiet gentlemaniy chap. and
well liked by the players, all of whom
offered sympathy when it became known
that Grif was going to cut him loose.
The Nationals have four practice games
with outside clubs scheduled this week.
playing Georgetown on Wednesday and
the Philadelphia Nationals during the re-
mainder of the week.
Georgetowns strength is not known,
but as the weather in Washington has
been about the same as the Charlottes-
VILE brand. the Hilltoppers are probably
less advanced in the matte of condition
than the University of Virginia. and vir-
ginia gave the Griffmen two close battles
during the past week. SO Wednesdays
game should be well worth witnessing.
The Phillies viii probably prove hard
nuts 10 crack, as this club has been train
ing in the Far South and should be able
to give a good account of themselves.
Last year two games were played against
the Quakers and the Grinmen won them
both.
Batting averages of the Nationals for
the games In which the players took part
while in Charlottesville, show that Emil
Meusel. the Pacific Coast recruit, and
Danny Moeller lead with the stick.
Meusel gave indications OF being a hard
hitter the first day the club took to the
field. He stands up to the plate well and
meets the ball squarely. Most Of his hits
have been 70 right field.
It Is the belief of Doc Ayres, the Ma
tionals' young pitcher. that Doc Hedge
peth, reported to have signed with the
Federal League, and who In a letter to
Manager Griffith this week denied so do
ing, asking the Old Fox to place him
with club after college closes in June.
would rather play in the Virginia League
than 60 to Atlanta. class IA team.
II felt all along" stated Ayres, ''that
Hedgepeth had more sense than to quit
organized ball Hedgepeth is a fine chap.
also a mighty good pitcher. nut he wants
to finish his studies before launching out
into baseball He would rather pick up
a little money during the summer vaca-
ton playing In the Virginia League than
to be forced to leave college early In
March and so with club the caiiber
Of AtIanta-'
Joe BoehIing also told the writer that
he hat talked with Hedgepeth during the
winter and that Hedgepeth informed him
Of the Federal League ofrer. asking ad-i
vice.
rI did not give him any ADVICE
Boehling vouchsafed, '.for the reason that
knew a. that time very little about the
Federal League. gave him tip. how
ever. that II he stuck to organized bah
he would be sure of his money when pay
day arrived"
Griff has adjusted the He1sepeth mat
ter satisfactorily. The pitcher will re-
port to Manager Billy Smith. OF the At
lanta club shortly after June L
From Manager Grff1th down the line
all Of the men are strong for Jack BENT
Ia- -. vni,rr .nufbnav frnn Randy