Evening star., 1914-03-10
ationa Conditions

and Griffith had to warn him several
times to be careful. Morgan seemed TO
enjoy whipping the ball around, and
he was throwing as II It were MD
season.
Notwithstanding the fact that 1t was
almost too cold for outdoor work the
players were pleased with the change
players for the very good reason that
they doubt whether they get any bene-
fit from it. Walter johnson is one of
those who believe In working outside,
even though it is cold He pitched to
Ainsmith for fifteen minutes this morn
ing, but depIored the fact that he could
not get up a sweat. But I'd rather be
pitching in the cold out here than be
confined to that gym" said Johnson.
Bert Gallia is to practice spit ball.
This moistened delivery Is to be used
has one of the best curves ever seen,
and it Is figured that If he can bluff
with his splitter and also use 1t oc-
casionally. particularly In the pinches.
his success will be assured.
Gallia is one of the puzzles Of the
squad to the older members of the team,
who all contend that there are few pitch
Gallia. and they don't understand why
he was not winner last season. But
that could probably be explained by the
fact that Ga1lia was used to finish games,
and once in awhile to start one. and he
did not always have the required amount
of rest between these exhibitions. This
year he is to be handled along different
lines and a difference in his showing is
expected.
While the four pitchers mentioned were
working out from the pitchers slab on
the ball eld during the morning the
rest of the squad were loosening up their
arms on the tennis courts, and then did
about two miles along the running track.
70
in charge Of the three pitchers who work
ed with him during the morning. and they
had about a three-mile run around the
track. Griffith argues that pitchers ought
to have as much wind and general good
condition as any man on the team. not
withstanding the fact that they are not
often asked to do much running. But he
holds that unless a pitcher Is At and
ready he cannot go through nine innings
or more and be as good at the finish as
he was at the start. Hence the twrlers
are in for a good grilling this spring.
Griffith and the teams three catchers
are holding almost daily conferences with
reference to adopting system of battery
signals which will be hard to solve by
opposing teams. 1t is common practice
for base runners to catch the catcher's
signal and tip off the batter This is
easily possible when there is man on
second base. and. of course, gives the
batter an advantage. for he then knows
what to expect from the pitcher. 1t is
likely that several sets of signals will
be taught the catchers so that they can
shift from one to the other as the oc-
casion may necessitate.
If Carl Cashion makes good this year
he will not be the only pitcher who be-
came great after being apparently use
less to a club for several years. Amos
Rusie who in his day was every bit as
famous as Walter johnson. was not a
success from the outset of his career by
any means. Rusie was exceptionally
wild in his early days, and he had to
be carried along for two or three years
before he got to going properly. This is
alsotrue Of Rube MArquard Of the Giants.
wild Bill' Donovan, than whom there
were few better pitchers when he was in
his prime. was carried by the old Wash
ington club back in the National League
days for several years before he showed
signs of making a star. So there is much
to be hoped for Cashion.
That Eddie Ainsrniths throwing arm is
as good as ever was plainly demonstrated
during the infleld practice yesterday.
Eddie threw to all the bases with ease,
speed and accuracy, and he did not have
to take much Of a motion to do it.
It seems to make no difference to Nc
Bride whether it is March or July. so far
as his fielding is concerned, for he is al
ways brilliant He was very much in
evidence in the practice yesterday. and
his throwing was astounding. Mcbride
has a really wonderful throwing arm. He
can get rid OF the ball from almost any
position, and, while he seldom throws
his hardest. he manages to get the ball
to it's destination in plenty of time for
action.