Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-21
WORK IN TRAINING
CAMP ENDS TODAY
Doubt Whether the Nationals
Have Benefited by Stay
in Charlottesville.
PITCHERS APPEAR TO BE
FAIRLY WELL ADVANCED
Hard Work They Have Done Puts
Them in Better Shape Than
Other Players.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, March 21.-
The training period, which drew to a
close here today with a workout by the
players in the gymnasium, may or may
not have been of benefit. That remains
to be determined by subsequent events
That the players are still much in need of
real practice is, of course foreGone con-
clusion, yet if the weather improves. and
they can put in the next three weeks or
so at home, there is no reason for alarm.
Aside from the fact that Capt. Mcbride
suffered an injury to his groin while at
work in the gymnasium, nothing serious
has happened to mar the teams chances.
In a way every man is in good condi-
ton, though on the whole they are not
ready to play ball, because of the lack
of real outdoor work But there is
plenty of time to bring this about. Morn
fng practice and exhibition games. many
of which are scheduled for the nome
grounds, ought to get the team IN shape.
But there is no doubt that Chariottes-
vile is a thing of the past, SO far as
Griffith is concerned. His experience here
this spring has been the worst any pail
team has ever encountered during It's
training season. and. while 1t may nave
been unusual Griffith is not going TO take
any more chances
The scheme to go to Cuba will undoubt-
edly go through. Griffith is very popular
there because he was the frst amer cah
League manager to recognize the apli.s
of the island players. He signed Ahnelua
and Marsans for the Cincinnati team sew
eral wears ago, and strengthened MS De
lief In Cuban players by bringing CaiVo
and Acosta to the Nationals. Any team
that goes to Cuba with Grinth at us
head is sure to prove great craving ,ins
card. Hence. there is chance to PICK
I'D some easy money during the training
season next spring.
Had Harry Holland displayed a little
better form at the bat Grimth would
ster does not stand up well AGAINST
pitching, and he picks out good balls
too, but he does not put enough po"e,
behind his blows. But he is splendid
fielder and thrower aTa IS IS sure Tee eo oe
string on him in the hope of operating
a recall next spring.
The question of how many utility IN
felders Griffith will carry the coming
season will not be decided until Herman
Schaefer makes known what his future
pIans are If Schaefer decides to stay
with the Nationals, either Waiy Sihlih
or Joe Gedeon will be retained TO neip
Schaefer out. If Schaefer goes TO ene feas
both Gedeon and Smith will be carried.
Right now the chances favor Smhh lor
the very good reason that he Is an e&-
perienced ball player and a good hllier'
though Griffith Is apt to think twice uoe-
fore he cuts loose Gedeon. who, he de-
clares. is sure to be a great ball player
some day.
Grifiths pitching staff is perhaps
farther advanced than any of his other
players. The twirlers have been forced
to a heavier grind than their teammates,
for the reason that it is possible 1or
them to take beneficial workouts In
doors. All of the young twlrlers nave
been here for just about month, and
have been working every day. barring
two Sundays The regulars have been
here Just a day or two over two weeks,
and are, perhaps, not as far advanced,
though Walter Johnson declared several
days ago that he was ready to pitch
ball game.
Notwithstanding the fact that there
was nearly a foot of snow. the players
all took workouts indoors yesterday and
again this morning. Weather condltlons
do not interfere with Griffths plans. so
far as the training is concerned, and
there is no time for rest during working
hours, no matter what conditions may De-
Washington patrons of the game will
have a good chance to size up the new
men on the team before the season
opens. for, without exception, all of
them are apt to appear in some of the
numerous exhibition games scheduled to
be PLAYED at home. While Griffith pro-
poses to let his regular team get most of
the benefit of these games he expects to
sandwich in his youngsters from time to
time in order to get a iood look at them
when engaged in a real contest.
The players are expected to leave here
at 3 o'clock, and should reach Washing
ton some time about Z o'clock. The
trains from this way. however. have all
been late in recent weeks. SO that there
is nothing sure about either the time of
leaving or arrival. Sunday will be Gay
of rest for the squad, but early Monday
morning the orders are to report at the
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