The Washington times., 1914-06-16

CLEVELAND, June 16-While the
Istest effort of the Federal League TO
stampede organized baseball was the
principal topic of conversation among
tae Nationals today, Clark Griffith re-
iterated his supreme confidence in the
loyalty of his men.
So far Is known there have been no
outlaw agents tampering with Grif1men
here. although they showed enough ac-
rivity at every other stop on the present
cur. TO justify apprehension that any
Z TIE Washington players will join in
ne present movement to flop, he said
vas decidedly improbable. That more
,uan a few will entertain propositions,
:r the Federals continue their raids next
winter. can be asserted without the
least fear OF contradiction.
Since the Federals commenced their
q al bid. johnson, Gandil, Milan. Morgan
Foster, Shanks. Engel and Shaw are
>nonG those who are known to have
0een approached. Some OF these turned
he propositions fatty; others answered
that under no consideration would they
ak business until the expiration OF
heir present contracts.
one after another of the Griffmen
nave been closeted with their leader
!. different times. In these talks Grif-
nth has endeavored to show the players
~ hat folly it would be for them to
Jump and it is upon these meetings
mat the manager bases his belief. that
rome OF the players are in danger Of
.aiIting the club now
In rejecting today upon their work OF
ssterdav the Nationals appear to real
.ze that their exhibition was 'nDugh to
rrIng the blush of shame TO a band Of
.,Tllity players ir a minor league
There is no alibi- Placing the blame
on the pitchers will not do, for had
even ordinary intelligence been shown
on the paths the Griffmen would have
"een so far in front toward the close
Ihat change of boxmea would have
Ceen unnecessary.
AZ Il was. they simply lost 10 the
Zephirs opportunities that bodied fair
70 give them margin on the right OF
the score. So poor was the work AZ
times that. as the end drew near. GriT-
nth gave a couple Of the men r1al calls
on the field, something rather unique
for the leader who seldom publicly
shows his disgust to a player, but usual
" reserves his criticism for a club
meeting.
Two instances will convey TO those at
nome some idea OF the narrowing dis
regard for scores that were within
the Griffs were one run behind. With
a man out, BoehIing walked and
Aoehler pasted the ball UP against the
fence IN right center. He reached sec
Instead of stopping at the keystone,
Moehler overrun the sack. When
ho saw Boehling at third, Moeller
tred 10 scramble back, but. be-
ceived Liebolds throw and had him
out. Looking Up Turner saw Boeh-
ing scampering home and he heaved to
me plate in time for O'Neill TO put the
0sl on the pitcher before he could
get near enough to score. Right there
two near-runs were wrecked.
10 the next inning, Foster led off by
drawing pass. With two balls and
'vo strikes or Milan. Foster tried 10
steal. and WAS out by q yard. Thusly
= near rally was shattered at its incep-
ton.
No wonder those who have the better
interests Of the Nationals at heart fair
y raved at the rawest exhibitions OF
base running. of which the club has
.ecl guilty, thus far this season.
lu nine starts in the West the Ma
gals have thrice emerged winners,
,iich is going some for a team so
highly rated.
T"c Griffmen wasted about one-third |
many hits yesterday as they made |
al Of iast week
Despite The fact that he was MOURN |
ug Tho ioss OF fayoritc Cncle. who |
as SG'ied at Richmond yesterday
morning, Joe BoehiiDs, pitched. lie had |
enc really bao in7ing. but had mis- COM |
rsdes heard the knock OF numerous op- |
DortgHitics he would have staggered |
across the line wilmer. |
In tde second inning BoehlinS al |
lowed three hits, gave two bases on
s.-4 ana made balk. Then came