The Washington times., 1915-01-08
Young Twirler Will Get Start on
Others by Working Out in
Warm Spot Before Report.
ing at the Camp.
Major League Sentiment Grow
ing to Abolish Small Limit
For Coming Season, and
Move Is Expected.
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.
Joe Engel, the Nationals young
wildman of the mound, is going to
go South a couple of weeks ahead
Of the reporting time this spring
and endeavor to get into shape by
himself. In this he has the hearty
support Of Manager Clark Griffith.
"I'm going somewhere down in
North or South Carolina" explains
young Engel, "a. few weeks before
We have to show up at Charlottes-
vile. I told Mr.. Griffith about it
and he told me it might help me
whole lot. I don't expect to pitch
any, of course, but I can get into
shape down in some warmer place
and have jump on the other boys.
Il know that I haven't made good.
but I'm determined to do SO. figure
that. if can get into perfect physical
shape before the actual training sea-
son begins. shall be able to pitch
10 the batters earlier, and 1t is then
that Griff does most Of his coaching
at Charlottesville. This ought to help
me whole lot. II I can be in there
every day or even every other day.
with him standing behind me and tip
ping me off, ! think l should show
decided Improvement in control by the
time the regular season begins"
Joe Engers determination to make
good this season. even II 1t requires his
making an early start, is an excellent
indication Of the youngsters spirit. It
io ,ot tnn hot Hvlf 4
likes in Engel. his willingness to do
anything to improve his work. Aside
from wildness. Engel has little to
learn: learn; He He. has picked up natural de-
his curve and has plenty Of courage
out there in the box. But his ink.
wildness. particularly in pinches. has
ruined him as regular member Of the
"If Joe could get it out of his head
said Manager Griffith today. he d
be one of the best in the league I
for nv club. and. just on that account,
am willing to give him another trial.
Indeed. couldn't waive him out of
tho league. Connie Mack would snar
Engel Joined the Griffmen in 1912.
a mere kid out OF school. He has been
with the team now for three full sea-
sons. and yet he will not be twenty
more than six feet tall. and weighs
about $50 pounds. when in good shape.
sentiment is growing in the major
leagues to rescfnd the rule to limit
players. and American League clubs to
twenty-three. Indeed, when the
schedule meeting is held in New York
next month it is more than likely tina,
the new rule will disappear, and that
The big clubs will be allowed to have
as many as they wish. So small a
number as a limit admits Of little eff.
fort by managers to protect them:
ssve. ,aSIe fSr future To,G ,Gampasns They viii
Youngsters. waiting for them to de.
velop. They will have to string righ,
along with the more experienced and
let some minor league club do its best
to teach the kids the tricks Of the
game. There has been so many com.
plants from all sides concerning this
new rule in the National League thaI
ir seems doomed to failure.
The st. Louis Cardinals will repor
er Houston, Tex. on March /. playin,
their first practice game with CIeve
and at San Antonio on Sunday. Marcl
!. On the following Saturday and Sun
DAY the remaining games of the Cleve
land series will be played On Marcel
g the squad will be divided, the resu
iars meeting Fort Worth: March % an
Rock. March 20 and 21. and will tackl
the Boston Red Sox at Texarkana OF
March % and 30.
Now that Larry Lajoie is no longe
with the Cleveland team. what will tn
scribes dub the Forest City tribe whe,
tney begin hitting the trail around tn
circuit? Ever since 1912 they have bee
called the Maps after Napoleon Lajo!e
even after other managers had super
'eded the great Frenchman. But nov
that Lajoie won't even be with tn
baI club. new name seems to be i
order. Cleveland fans are discussin
this question, suggesting many name
that hardly seem to stick. 1t must b
short and to the point. The "Birmies
is one name used frequently now. but
- not at all certain Of being the fins
cnoice.
Jack Combs. who has been pitied b
lot OF disinterested folks for his ur
conditional release from the Mackme,
comes to bas with hot one. He denie
runnors that he had criticised Ben shih
and Connie Mack. 81 have receive
nothing but the best of treatment frol
, the Philadelphia club. l have no con
Connie should have notified me frs
rather than the newspapers. but I DIRE
{, large salary for two years and new,
.eit the bench. Indeed, part Of the tin
\ wasn't even with the team. ! thin
I have been well treated"
John Henry the Griffmens big bacl
stop, is now one Of the greatest OF h
roes to the fans in Honolulu, accort
ing TO advices from that beautiful ell
in the Pacific Grover Cleveland Ale.
ander. Bill Kiliifer. Max Carey. Je
resreau. Ray. Chapman. and Jot
Henry made the best kind of a hit {
shs recent transforming trip to Il