The Washington herald., 1914-02-25
Snow Drives Recruits In
doors -Cashion and Engel
Hold Center of Interest.
MUSSER MUCH IMPROVED
BY WILLIAM PEET.


basketball game, together with
light exercise prescribed by Trainer
Mike Martin, constituted the rou-
tine of the Nationals young pitch
ers in Fayerweather gymnasium to-
day. The snow and cold weather
made outdoor work impossible, but
the chances are that tomorrow aft
ernoon the young athletes will toss
the bali around in the shelter of the
tennis courts on the rectangular
shaped wooden running track To-
Gated Just opposite the gymnasium.
Acting Manager Ryan wants to
get the boys out as quickly as possible
for he believes that ten minutes prac-
tice in the open air will be more bene-
fetal than ten hours work indoors.
The young blizzard blew itself out this
morning and the sun blasted its way
through leaden clouds much to the de-
light of the aspiring young pitchers. In
two hours the sidewalks were bare and
green patches of grass evident on many
sloping lawns.
Trainer Mike Martin called up Grifith
gested that workmen get busy with snow
shovels and scrapers on Lambeth Field.
Fhe Old Fox gave his assent and the
diamond was partially cleared of melt
ing snow this afternoon. By tomorrow
night the job will be completed and IL
clear weather maintains the boys will
dance around on the turf Thursday.
Snow seldom SITS long in Charlottes-
vile, according TO the old inhabitants,
and Acting Manager Ryan is confident
that most of the young fingers under
his care will be in tiptop shape to pitch
against the veterans when the main
squad reports next week.
Joe Engel and Carl Cashion were very
much in the spotlight today and every
move this pair made was watched Gag
erly by Messrs. Ryan, Altfock and Mar
tin.
1t will be remembered that Cashion
and Engel suffered from dislocated liga-
ments in their salary whips during the
1913 season and b1th consulted Bonesetter
Reese, in Youngstown, Ohio. Reese To-
Gated the trouble and was reported TO
have effected permanent cures. My
arm feels better thSn it ever did before
said Engel at the dinner table tonight.
so does mine" vouchsafed Cashion. Il
am going to show the boys something
this year."
Neither complained Of any pains or
other trouble after the two workouts to-
day. Cashion did not attempt TO throw
single ball overhanded, but was content
with the underhand and sidearm delivery,
which he proposes to use during the near
approaching campaign.
Eddie Ainsmith handled the deliveries
of Cashion and Engel. while Jack Ryan
spent a lot of time with Jim Shaw and
Dick Williams. The young southpaws,
Jack Bentley and Harry Harper, were
turned over to the tender mercies Of Nick
Altrock, who handed out a lot of expert
advice. The others, Ayres. Mumford,
Musser and Schwartz, worked in another
section of the gymnasium.
1t is, of course, altogether too early
to attempt to pass judgment on Mumford
and Schwartz, the fingers, who have had
no chance to show Washington fans what
they can do. Both are green, husky
youngsters, willing to listen to advice,
and possessing much natural ability.
Williams, Harper, Bentley, and the 9TH
ers have pitched in championship games
and their respective abilities have been
put to a test. Manager Griffith, in pass
ing judgment last fall, pronounced them
promising. and this is about all that can
be said at such an early day.
Schwartz is the biggest man of the
SQUAD; he is a fraction of an inch taller
than Cashion and just as heavy. Schwartz
employs an overhead delivery and does
not waste much energy in winding up.
He claims to have a good curve ball and
control If such be the case he will bear
watching.
The real test will come when the reg
ulars hit camp and batting practice starts.
Until the new recruits are put through
basebalrs third degree" no correct line
can be obtained on their ability.
Nick AItrock has attached himself to
young Jack Bentley, with whom he
rooms. That kid is going to be a good
pitcher and I am telling him what I
know about the art" said Nick tonight.
Bentley is just sensible enough to listen
to Altrock's advice, realizing that he is
in the hands of a past master of south
paw fiinsing.
Carl Cashion was the only new arrival
today, reaching Charlottesville IN time
for breakfast. Only one look In needed
to show that the Carolina curver has
taken great care of himself during the
on season He is determined to be a real
come back"
Although today's double workout con-
sisted mainly OF tossing the ball about,
"the curse Of an aching arm" will tomor-
row be the popular song among several
of the youngsters who, when nobody was
looking, insisted upon burning 'em over.
The basketball game which followed
the morning practice resulted in a one
sided score. Ainsmith and Engel played
the entire squad. including Jack Ryan
and Nick Altrock. This pair. once they got
possession Of the ball. never relinquished
it until basket was thrown.
Dick williams, who comes from a town
near the birthplace of Carl Morris, the
well-known white hope. is said to be
handy with the boxing gloves. Engel
agreed to take him on for a short bout
this afternoon, signing articles to the
effect that if he did not stop Williams i'm
two rounds he would forfeit the pl:rse
consisting OF thirty-iiYe cents in real
money. put up by Paul Musser. who xp.
pears to be the only one OF the youngsters
with bank roll. Just as the scrap was
about to start Trainer Martin jumped
into the ring and said he would lick them
both IL they didn't behave and 20 home
The bout mag be pulled Off IN private
later.
Paul Mussers one year IN the minors
must have done him lot Of good, for his
delivery is smoother than when he
pitched in Washington, and he gives the
impression CT being a finished boxman
Musser is slightly under weight, but the
bracing air of Charlottesville. together
with the wholesome food ought to build
him up quickly.