Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-08
MAY BEGIN REAL
WORK TOMORROW
indications Are That Field
May Be in Condition for
Practice Then.
GRIFFITH HAS BROUGHT
GOOD SPIRIT IN PLAYERS
They Are All Willing to Do Their
Best, Which Is Wonder
full Help.
BY J. ED oRILIo.

CHARLOTTESVILLE. Va,
March The actual training Ct
rhe Nationals will in all probable
iry begin Monday. It is believed
that ii present weather conditions
continue the playing field will
be fit for use by that day. A
snow-consuming thaw got in
some good ticks today and by
evening nearly all the snow had
disappeared, and as the frost is
out Of the ground it ought not
10 require more than another day
10 have the field in such condition
that practice on it will be posi-
bic.
A squad Of a half dozen men was work
ing on it today. and they will be kept at
work Sunday in the hope Of hurryins
along the drying-out process.
Aside from the fact that the young
pitchers. who have been here nearly two
ings arms in good shape, hut little has
been accomplished In the way of pre-
pairing for the coming season. The regu-
lars have put in a couple of days In gym
nasiun work, which has been beneficial,
but the real work will come when the
players can get outside which, as said
before, is hoped to be Monday.
While conditions here have been of
the worst, 1t must be admitted that
m q
the best training place the team could
have found. The fact that the gym
llasium prevents the players from be-
ing idle during days that outdoor work
is out of the question is a blessing.
for while the indoor. work Is by no
means preferable 1t beats being entire
y idle all to smithereens.
IT. VIII be two weeks Monday since |
the FIRST squad took up its quarters |
here. Since that time 1t has spent but /
one day on the ball field. last Wednes- |
day. when several hours batting prac-
tice was INDUCED in. There were sew
could work outdoors. and ii can be
truthfully said that under the circum-
stances the youngsters are in the best
possible condition. There is not one
at top speed II 1t were necessary, and
that is certainly good progress. when
the conditions which have prevailed
here are taken into consideration.
1t Is encouraging to note with what
zest and willingness Griffith's players
go into their work. There Is nothing
more tedious or embarrassing than
training work It Is tiresome grind,
horror. yet there are no diseruntled
athletes in the Nationals camp. Vet
Grams and youngsters alike go at theird
work with determination that Is
which rfevails In the aggregation
One never hears any complaints from
the players. Whatever Griffith orders
is done. and there are no why's or where
over his players is nothing short Of re-
markable. There are always the dis
satisfied on the average ball club. All
orders are criticised by them and they
team 1t is different There are no shirks
or disgruntled athletes on the squad.
Every man seems to have the best In
terest Of the team at heart and the man
ayers word is law.
Giving full credit to Griffith for the
system he has installed, there is no
doubt that the ideal disposition of Walter
Jonnson has had great influence over
me other players Here is a man who
las a countrywide reputation. is con-
ceded to be the best and highest SAL
aried pitcher in the world. and yet is
Just as plain today as he was seven
years ago when he joined the team. a
surned his head. He does not consider
himself the superior Of any Of his team
mates. takes orders as do the others and
proves himself willing worker.
So long as Johnson is a member Of the
team there is never apt to be any other
member Of it with lofty opinion Of him
self. nor are there apt to be any objec-
ton TO orders: for Johnson. the great
est of them all. accepts things as they
come. attends to his own affairs and has
the distinction of being the most popular
player among his teammates.
There are many other well bred. SPLEEN
didiy dispositioned and intelligent young
men on the Washington team. and these
are so far in the majority that the few
individuals who are inclined to enter the
"rough-neck class do not have much Of
a chance.
Under the Grifiith system there Is no
favo.itisn shown. the humblest recruits
have the same privileges that are accord
ed the star players. Griffith has q certain
set Of rules which govern his players.
Every man must toe the scratch, and it
matters not how much value he may be
to the team In an artistic way. In all. 1t
is we'll regulated and happy family
over which Griffith presides. even under
the discouraging conditions which has
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