The Washington times., 1914-03-13
TW|RLERS HAVE NEW
TRAINING WRINKLE
Using Oil to Make Hands PHI
able, Thus Aiding Them in
Throwing Curves.
WILLIAMS HAS A CHANCE
0kIahoman Makes Good I'M
preston Upon Johnson, Who
Is Coaching Him Now.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

BY THOMAS KIRBY.
UNIVERSITY, Va, March lS.-An-
other wrinkle has been introduced IN
the system of development of the Ma
ticnals twirling talent
\ week ago Griffith told mis- young
sters that they could remove many I'M
perfections from their delivery by prac-
ticing before a mirror. the theory being
that words often fail to convey the I'M
preston that a man may obtain as soon
rs he actually sees himself as ne reaiiy
with the season when curvinG is en-
couraged about to begin, the manager
has decided that one of the handicaps
under which some OF the men are labor
ing is the hardness OF their hands.
There is an impression among many
patrons Of baseball that players
hands and arms are as hard as steel,
but this is a misconception. Grifhth,
himself, after a stormy career on many
diamonds, has hand as soft as girls
while Walter Johnson, too, shows
hand that contradicts the idea that
physical toughness is essential to sue
cess in the box.
But several OF the incoming material
are not so fortunate and Griffith has
started out to correct the weakness On
Dick Williams by ordering the big
pitcher to twice a day bathe his hands
in a solution of pumy stone and then
thoroughly oil them in order to get the
pIiability that was removed during the
winter while he was at work in the oil
fields Of Oklahoma where he is a mag
nate
mo man who has tough skin can
make a pitcher unless he corrects the
condition" remarked Griffith to Will
iams today, while explaining just what
he meant.
The public thinks that it is to
players advantage to have tough hands,
but this is wrong. In order to get the
proper grasp on the ball a pitcher must
have skin SO pliable that he can get
the tightest sort of a hold from the
tiI1e he starts to swing to the time the
Dell leaves his hand. / want all of my
staff to have soft hands, and have adopt
ed the present scheme as the best to
bring IT about"
In discussing Williams, it might be
said that this player now stands well
up in the fight for permanency in the
Washington corps
When Williams first reported he had
been little heralded. but ne has steadily
improved until he now has an excellent
chance of being among the survivors.
Earring possibly Harry Harper. none of
the pitchers has made more speedy inn
Drovement IN the past week than has
Dick Williams.
Williams is as tall as any one here,
as broad, Is built much along the lines
Of Walter Johnson The Callers spread
eagle measurements. from the tip of
one finger on the right hand to the tip
Of the finger on the left, is feet IL
inches. while Williams is only 31a inches
less than this abnormal mark. The Ok
laEoman's arms are as long as john
sons. but the shoulder measurement OF
the kansan gives him the advantage in
tac overall count.
JpEEsOnf has taken a personal interest
in Williams, and has made a number of
suggestions that have hurried the re-
cruit along in the fight for the berth.
Williams pitched with a klnk in his
elbow when he arrivei. but this has
disappeared, and, TO quote an onlooker.
He touches all the bases as he swings
around"
Williams is now down 10 weight, and
iE receiving as much attention as any
one in the collection. leading to the i'm
preston that the manager sees great
possibilities in the tall youth.
he whole camp smoked last night TO the
health of Joe Engei. proud parent being
the host the occasion OF the twenty-hrst
birthday anniversary.
Engels arm is still somewhat sore. but he
is pitching under wraps and will continue to
10 50 until the kink has entirely disap-
peared.
Not 10 be outdone by Engel WaIly Smith
announced this morning that today is his
oirthd6S- lhe MlsSOuFiSn Is twenty-five and
his only regret is that the thirteenth falls
Friday
Yesterdays practice was about the hardest
indoor work the men have yet had. Basket
bail has been tsbooed for all the regulsrs
out the newcomers are allowed TO go TO the
they had the stiffest sort Of a contest
v hich wound Up 10 3. the feature being TIE
fsct that spencer tossed his first goal since
coming 70 this place
Harry Collier and Clark Griffith are not
nfur-y strangers as the former pitched for
feorgta Tech against Cincinnati the year
before the present manager came TO Wash
ington.
Jack Bentley has cold in his left shoulder
II is not serious enough to cause worry. but
for precaution the silent singer is wearing
an expansive plaster 10 prevent further dtm-
age in this storm beaten town.
sylvester Breen Of Alexandria builded let
'e- than he knew when be presented Nick Al
irock with cow-beII when the squad passed
through IN. venerable Virginia scttirnenC
the tanks OF the Potomac. Altrock used
;he instrument as official reYeiile and each
TLorning the whole neghbOrhood is awakened
the bell is shaken through the halls OF
he House OF Griffith.
Georgia School Of Technology leads the
colleges Of the country in contributing 10 the
sum ana substance Of the GriHmen. Collier
and Holland claim the athletic institution
IS the school OF their adoption.
The press box at National Park viii not
ne moved TO the roof was reported come
lime ago. but viii remain where il is This
decided today al a meeting between
Griffith and three Of the war correspondents
here. There has never been a demand for q
change anC to b;id pencil Dushers'
porch would simply an Unnecessary
outlay Of about s.. 90 by the ball club
Mrn; MoelIcr ana Mrs, Gandn returned to
Washington last night disguised with the
weather that prevails here. That makes IL
unanimous.
With Alva Williams ready and Ed Ain
smith prined. neither Of these catchers has
anything on John Henry in the matter Of
condition. Henry is working as hard as
anyone around these parts in warming up
pitchers and he appears TO be prepared TO
answer the call 10 action at any moment
his chief says the word.
Epiphany Five Wins.
The crack Epiphany quint gave the
Garfields their first defeat of the sea-