Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-17
TEAM ENCOUNTERS
FIRST REAL SLUMP
Present Setbacks Are Most
Discouraging Nationals
Have Had in Years.
PLAYERS WILL ALL BE
LOYAL TO THEIR CLUB
Predominating Sentiment Is That
They Will Stick by Griffith.
Other Gossip.
BY J. ED GRILLo.

| CLEVELAND, June 17.-At no time
since Clark Griffith has been in charge
of the Nationals have they encountered
so discouraging a slump as the present
one. Notwithstanding the fact that the
team continues to field brilliantly, it
seems unable to win. When the hitting
is up to the standard and a bunch of
runs are scored, there is something lack
ing with the pitching, and when the
pitching is virtually air-tight, the hitting
is SO weak that it is impossible to get
any runs. AS is usually the case when
such conditions prevail. the breaks are
all against the Nationals. What few line
hits are made on days when the hitting
is light go right at some waiting field
ers. and. if the umpires err, 1t is against
the Griffmen.
Discourasing the present conditions
are. there is no real reason for weaken
ing on the team. 1t cannot possibly con-
tinue in the present rut much longer.
There is sure to be change for the
better sooner or later. and it may run
into a winning streak as protracted as
the losing streak is proving.
Either Jim Shaw or Walter Johnson is
slated to pitch the game today. while
Gregg, Mitchell or Blanding will be Sc
lected by Birmingham. But it is of little
Importance, so far as the result of the
game is concerned. who pitches these
days, for if the pitching is good the hit
ting is light and vice versa.
Had Steen been up against a team
which did not display much anxiety
at the bat as did the Nationals yester-
have had a hard time of it. There
were no less than six instances when
some of Griff's batters were up with
the count standing three to two. and
~to tAar Foil a@ n
the ball anywhere near the plate, and
yet it was a strike-out. Hitting at
wild pitches on the third strike seemed
to be the Nationals speciality. and it
game and the credit for eight strike
outs.
OF all the players. none of them is
siumping as much as Howard Shanks,
so far as batting is concerned. The
Monaco youngster. who for a time this
spring seemed to have developed into
hitter of more than ordinary ability.
has fallen into his old habits. When
up little flies for the infeld. In the
last twelve games he has been credited
with but four hits. Shanks' weakness
would not be so noticeable If the rest
of the team was hitting but he occu-
pies such an important place in the bat
ting order that his failure to hit al
ways attracts attention. On good
hitting team player of Shanks great
fielding ability would be invaluable. but
on a team like the Nationals he does
not quite seem to fill the bill.
Walter Johnson's statement with refer
ence to offers from the Federal League
has had a splendid effect on the other
members of the team who have had Of
fers from the outlaws and have been
! merely interested in their doings. Chick
Gartdl was the first of the Griffmen to
make known here how he stood SO far as
the Federals were concerned. He made
1t plain that he proposed to remain loyal
to Griffith and his ball team. and John
son followed suit. These players realize
| that they owe something to organized
| base bah as well as to the Washington
club. and they deserve credit for being
far-sighted enough to take the proper
stand.
Those players in organized base ball
who take the leap for the benefit of
little money will find when the time
comes that they will not be allowed to
! have signed the new reserve clause. and
| most of them have. will be prevented
from fulfilling their Federal League OBJ
legations by the courts
Doc Ayers pitched a ball game yester-
! day which would have been A winner
nine times out of ten, but at present
| most any of the Nationals pitchers is
| apt to be beaten. for the slump does not
! take individuals Into consideration.
| Joe Gedeon has tired of holding down
! the utility post on the Washington team.
| He feels that he is not getting the
| proper chance to develop. because there is
| little or no opportunity for him to break
| into the game, and he is longing for
chance to be farmed out to some minor
and develop himself. He has spoken
| along these lines with Griffith and,
| while the Nationals manager refuses to
make any move of that character at this
I hn hoc .a1I - <o1y
consideration. and in due time may ship
| Gedeon to one of the clubs in the Pacific
Coast League from which he came.
oNeill of the Maps is one of the most
| remarkable throwing catchers that the
game has ever developed. Up to date
| the Nationals have been unable to steal
! any bases on him outside of the one
| Schaefer got yesterday and two which
| Gandil took the first day, when the
| effort was made to prevent his advanc-
| ing 1t makes no difference to O'Neill
! where the ball is pitched, he seems able
| to get it to second base with the great
| est speed and accuracy. His throwing
| in the three games the Nationals have
| played here has been nothing short of
| marvellous, and he really appears to be
| one of the best young catchers in the
! game today.
| II is not going to be an easy matter
! for either Joe Jackson Larry Lajoie
| to break back into the game. Both are
| about ready to take up their positions.
| but Birmingham does not believe in
| breaking up a winning combination,
hence is allowing his present combina-
| ton OF minor leaguers and veterans to
hold the fort. So long as the winning
/ streak continues there are not apt to
be any changes in the Maps lineup.
Joe Engel pitched the final inning
! against the Maps yesterday. and he got
| away nicely. O'Neill. the first man to
| face him, sent fly to Milan. He struck
| out steen, and, after walking Graney.
| caught him mapping off first