The Washington herald., 1914-03-19
E'ill Be Opposed by South
paw Ray Collins for
Red Sox.
PLAY VIRGINIA TODAY
BY WILLIAM PEET.

Johnson, inc S1ealesI HllCncI Au Nhe
world, will be IN the box for the N2-
tionals against the Boston Red Sox
when the opening game Of the 1914 sea
son starts, on the afternoon of April IA.
Manager Griffith made this announce
ment to the war correspondents in camp
tonight and added: More than likely
Ray Collins, the big southpaw, VIII be
Johnson's opponent on that day, as Col
Iins last season beat Walter two games
In stating that johnson would pitch
the seasons opener to be played on for
eign soil, Grin is not departing from his
usual custom, as il will be remembered
tha. in 1912, when the Nationals faced
the Gthietics At Shibe Park, johnson
was on the mound. and last year the
big Train" opposed the New York High
ianders in Washington when the opening
gun doomed.
If reports from the Red Sox training
camp are 10 be credited, Ray Collins is
in better shape than ever. The south
paw was a 'hold-out' until recently, but
financial matters have been satisfactorily
adjusted and the big boy from Maine is
already showing midseason form.
A whistling northwest wind that came
rushing across Lambeth Field that came
from far off snow-capped Blue Ridge
mountains caused Manager Griffith to
postpone the practice game scheduled
between the Regulars and Yannigans,
and the exhibition contest with the Uni
versity of Virginia nine today.
As a substitute for the ball games,
the Regulars were ordered out bright
and early this morning for batting prac-
tice. Schwartze, Mumford and Nick Alt
rock took turns in the box, pitching to
them.
Instead OF a warm, sunny afternoon.
the weather continued cold and fearing
that harm instead of benefit would re-
suit, the Washington manager decided
that 1t would be best to cancel the ball
games, and once more ordered his first
string men to take turns hitting the
ball while Dick Williams, Collier and
Musser occupied the mound.
Each player was made to run around
the bases after every ground ball hit
into fair territory and by this method
.he men were kept continually on the
Jump. thereby offsetting the chilling
wind. Plans for tomorrow. providing the
sun comes out, the customary game be-
tween Regulars and Yannigans in the
morning and against the Virginia boys
N the afternoon.
Harper. Ayrcs. and Bentley have been
nominated to twirl against the COllegians
while Coach lack Ryan stated that
,,alloway and Smith would do the pitch
ing for the wsarers of the Orange and
Blue.
In case the weather is cold, Grifr will
send his youngsters against the college
boys. otherwise the Regulars will be
asked to line up.
Capt Mcbride kept to his room today,
still suffering from the effects of a
strained ligament in his groin, which
Trainer Martin declares is slowly yielding
o treatment. Martin has his own ideas
about prescribing for wounds of this
nature and by constant application of ice
laGs. declares that in a few days Nc
Bride will be able to play ball.
Mcbride is in fine shape physically He
could jump in and take part in a cham
game tomorrow, but for the
recent injury. so the team will not be
handicapped if Mac is kept on the side
ines for week or so at this stage of
The practice.
One Of the players in camp tonight
~iaimed to have inside information that
Germany Schacfer. the Nationals utility
man and comedian, had jumped to the
Federal League.
It is known that Schaefer and Manager
Joe Tinker, of the Chicago FederaIs
Nv D'tll ldSA ITlGIlOS IOr years and
II is to this club that the Teuton is he
ieved to have gone.
Manager Griffith has heard no word
from the comedian, who has been ex-
oected here the past two days The Old
Fox, however. refuses to believe that
Schaefer would be foolish enough to cast
his lot with the Federals, unless, of
course. a big contract with money in
the bank to his credit was rendered, all
Of which is very unlikely.
The rest today acted as a real boon 70
many Of the ball players in camp. for
several were complaining of minor all
nents and day off did not hurt them
One bit.
Johnny Mumford. who has been both
red with lame arm. said his salary
"hlp felt much better after pitching to
he batters this morning. Mumford IS
luwn to the weight he carried around last
summer. 1S5 pounds. and is improving in
his work daily.
In announcing that he had already de-
:ided to carry Jack Bentley, Harry Har-
per. and Jim Shaw during the near ap-
Froaching campaign. Griff did not slip
the war correspondents & deep dark Sc
cret This trio of fingers has shown
good work ever since the
squad reached Charlottesville and with
Joe Engel and Carl Cashion. who have
been through the fire, 10 help out, it Is
believed that the Nationals will go into
The championship games as well fortified
in the box as any club in the Ban
Johnson circuit
u!