Evening star., 1914-04-11
BY j. ED GRILLO.

Griffith is to have a look at two more
Of his pitchers today before he will de-
cide which of his twirlers he will use
IN the opening game at Boston. Right
now il looks very much as if Walter
johnson would be the one to start the
campaign. but nothing definite as to
The selection will be known until Grlf-
nth has watched Joe Boehling and Jim
Shaw in today's game with the Bos-
ton Braves. This pair is TO divide
the work this afternoon, after which
tiriffith will sum up the work of his
twirlers and by the time he reaches
, Boston he expects to make the an
nouncement as to which one of his
corps he will use.
Ii is but natural that every one of
the pitchers should like the honor Of
pitching the opening game. hence 1t
is to be expected that the twirlers will
try their best to make a good impress
SION in these try-outs. Boehlins. and
Shaw are both believed to be on edge.
and it is predicted that the Braves WIN
be up against some high class pitch
ing this afternoon The game is to be
called at 2:30 in order to give the Ma
tionaIs a chance to get a train for
Providence at 5.J3-
John Henry. as local representative
of the Base Ball Players Fraternity,
in addition to keeping the players
posted on the rulings of the national
commission and the fraternity. also
takes u hand in the matter of prevent
ing players from violating the rules.
Whenever it comes to HenrEs atten-
ton that a player is violating the
training rules he calls him on the car
pet and makes it plain that his stand
ing as member of the fraternity de-
nands good conduct during the play
ing season.
Such cases may come to Henry's at
tention without the knowledge of
Manager Griffith Henry naturally Is
in touch with the members of the team
at all times. He has not the au-
thority to discipline or fine. but talk
from him is even more effective than
the punishment that manager might
hand out.
Earl Hamilton, the st. Louis pitcher
who jumped his contract and joined the
is being condemned by ball players for
his action The players argue that
there might be some excuse for a play
er disregarding the reserve clause but
jumps his contract When contract
jumping is encouraged the game is be-
ing injured. The public is not in favor
OF such tactics and it is the ball player
who will eventually suffer if jumping of
contracts is indulged in said a men,
Der of the local team this morning.
1t Is not unlikely that the players will
petition the fraternity to take action
done something which win kill the goose
which lays the golden eggs
There is so much improvement in the
hitting of Ainsmith and Henry that the
lower end Of the Nationals batting order
has become stronger than II has ever
the first four or five batters were dis
posed Of the opposing pitcher did
not have anything to worry him, but the
improved hitting of the two catchers has
changed this condition. Both are hit
ting hard and timely, and their batting
does not seem to be flash in the pan,
for they have been consistent about 1t
all spring.
Walter johnson performed well enough
yesterday to warrant his selection for
the opening game in Boston Tuesday.
Waiter looked very good AGAINST the
himself. and with three days rest after
his seven innings of pitching yesterday
he ought to be on edge for the opening.
But il is by no means certain that Grif-
nth will use him in the initial game OF
the season. He may send one of the
other pitchers to the slab and reserve
Walter for one Of the other games. 1t
is as good as fixed that Joe Engel also
will work in one of the Boston games.
Engel has always been effective against
the Red Sox in past seasons. Ayers and
Boehling will likely be the other twirl-
ers to perform while in Boston
In no previous game this spring have
the Nationals looked as formidable as
they did yesterday. The fact that they
were up against real ball team seemed
to bring about change in their general
playing.sNd for the first time this spring
the expected form was displayed. The
teams hitting was particularly encour-
aging. Fourteen hits off pitchers Of
the caliber of Rudolph and Perdue would
indicate that most of Grifith's players
have struck their batting str de. There
either. most of the drives being clean
cut. while the fielding was splendid con-
sidering the fact that the grounds, which
have not yet been properly rolled. are
still far from being smooth.
Both Eddie Foster and Chick Gandil
looked d lot better at the bat yesterday
than they have in any previous games.
Both seem to have struck their gait at
last and can be looked for to do their
share Of the hitting henceforth. Foster
got four clean hits, one double. in five
trips TO the plate. while Gandil got
triple and a single in four times at bat
Milan and Morgan also were in evidence,
and, while Moeller did mot get hit, he
reached the bases on three occasions.
In all but two of the eight innings that
the Nationals went to bat yesterday they
scored one or more runs. The first tally
came in the opening round, when Foster
singled after Moeller had been retired,
only to be forced by Milan. Gandifs long
triple to right brought Milan home, how
ever.
In the second q brace Of runs was
chased home on shanks' single. Ain
smiths double, McBrtde's sacrifice bunt
and Johnson's long ny. Evers' error.
Gandil and Morgan brought another run