Evening star., 1915-01-15
|NF|ELD RECRUITS
TO HAVE CHANCE
Neff and Pick Will Be Given
Thorough Trial in Nor
gan's Place.
BERT GALLIA MAY PROVE
FIND OF YOUNG PITCHERS
Southpaws Bentley and Harper Ex-
pected to Show to Better Ad-
vantage Next Season.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

| Neff or Pick. the only two intield re-
cruits that Manager Griffith will have
to look over this spring, may brea k
into the Nationals lineup next season,
1t is not revealing secret that Griffith
| is not at all confident that Ray Morgan
will come through. The Baltimore boy
will have to play a higher grade of
ball the coming season than he did last
in order to hold up his end. Neff, of
course, really has had no professional
| experience. he having just come off of
the college field, yet he shows a lot of
natural ability, and with little han
ding may be just the man Grlfhth
needs.
Pick is not what can be called a
youngster He has had several years
minor league experience. He looks to
. have the ability of a hitter. and is
| fairly fast on his feet, though he was
| not seen on the infield enough after
! Joining the Nationals last fall to give
any idea of his ability in any of those
positions
Manager Griffith will show no favors
in selecting his team. He is on record
as saying that no man is sure of his
job and that when it is proved posi-
tion is not satisfactorily filled he
will experiment with his youngsters.
Charley Doom probably has made a
wise move by accepting the Cincinnati
proposition. When Il player at his
stage of life can still draw $4,000 a
season he ought not to let the chance
go by. Doom was peeved when he
lost the managerial job with the
Phillies, but after his record with that
team it was not to be expected that
there would be great demand from
other clubs to turn their teams over
to him.
1t always has been the judgment of
such experienced pitchers as Griffith
and Altrock that Bert Galla had the
natural ability to make a pitching star,
though he never showed much in this
company. But the splendid work he
did in the American Association last
season may mean that he has found
himself. in which event he should prove
of great value to the locals in the COM
ing race.
Gallia did lot Of pitching for the
Kansas City club. He was used out
of turn most of the time, but did not
seem to be any the worse for :. II
the Texan shows good at the outset
of the season Griffith will send him
along at a fast clip while he is in good
form.
Local fans will have a hard time
recognizing Jack Bentley next spring
The Sandy Spring sou,npaw mas grown
so much since the season closed that
he will line up to advantage with any
of the pitchers on the local team in the
matter of size. Bentley had all the
earmarks of a great pitcher last sea-
son, but he lacked the physique to go
the route. and the winters rest no
doubt has done him world of good
Harry Harper, the other young left
handler, bly, would be able to win
his share of games If he were a better
hand in the field than he is. Harper
mas lot of stuff, but he is green
about the game, and as fielder has
much to learn. Griffith proposes to
give him a lot of fielding practice dur
ing the training period in the hope of
improving him in this respect A
pitcher who cannot field his position
always is carrying heavy handicap.
While it was limited that the other
American League clubs would help Bill
Donovan gather a winning team about
him, Bill is finding out that it is up to
him to do this and that he need expect
little help from his rivals. The Van
KEGS ths & WI have th to pay ,, stiff price for
troit and Boston. Detroit, for instance,
wants $500 for High and Pipp, two
youngsters. while it is understood Lam
min, the Boston owner. will get at
least $4,000 for Rehg, the young out
fielder 1t has never been policy in
base ball to give away anything that
has value so far as playing material
is concerned.
Just what will become of Mike Mitch
ell, whom Griffith presented to the New
York club before it changed hands, is
not known. Frank Farrell Just before
he made the deal, turned Mitchell back
to the local club and Griffith has been
busy ever since trying to find a major