The Washington times., 1915-03-09
Ramiro Sieg|ie Simply Offered a
Trial by Washington, Pro.
,vided He Is Not Signed by
Pat Moran.
Old Fox viii Not Enter Into Con-
troversy With PhiIIies, Nor
viii He Appeal to National
Commission.
By LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

by LOOIO A. DOOVAAGISs
CHARLOTTESVILLE, March o.
No effort will be made by Manager
Griffith to obtain Ramiro Sieglie,
the Cuban second baseman now with
the Phillies, beyond writing him a
letter. If Sieglie has signed a Phil:
ly contract, Griff will forget all
about him. If he hasn't the Old Fox
will ask him to remember his prom
ise to join the Washington club.
"It's foolish to say I will go to
the National Commission about this
player" said Griff today. "I have
no hold on him. If he wants to stay
with the Phillies, let him. If he
wants to come here, I'll give him a
good trial. That's all there is to
Though 1t was . trifle chilly in the
carly morning. there was no wind. and
Manager Griffith divided his squad into
two sections. and put them on Lambeth
and q strenuous batting drill lasted al
most two hours. Tho same program is
scheduled for this afternoon.
The FIRST string pitchers include john
Gaiiia. eSn Op and Bentlsy % FSs others snSM viii
work out with Altrock's second squad.
Each ntteher is to work against the
batsmen once a day. thoVgA johnson
will hardly take his turn until next
The second team consists Of Williams.
Pick. Neff. and Acosta In the infield.
with Rondeau, Brown, and Massey In
the garden.
Charlottesville has not for three years
been a popular training place with the
regulars Of the Washington club, but
this spring 1t seems even moro In bad
odor. Manager Griffith alone comes
right out and boosts this wee town in
the bosom Of the Blue Ridge.
One Of the principal causes for COM
plaint against ocean sites Is the strong
wind that freezes the loosening muscles
Of the players. This has been the case
places on the Florida coast Neverthe-
less. the wind that sweeps Lambeth
Field has not been warm in four spring
training trips. Yesterday It savored Of
the Arctic. and even "Pop" Lannigan.
vile. refused to say when it would be
West Of this town lies the peaks Of
the Blue Ridge. To the naked eye
they can be seen covered with snow
to the bone all who dare its breath on
Lambeth Field. Inasmuch as the play
ers wear no underc!othing. they are
chilled from the waist down. no matter
tators wellnigh perish. huddled on the
sidelines and watching the athletes.
Clear skies and sun have already done
much to make i possible for early
outdoor practice. but the piercing west
such work comfortable to the players.
All day yesterday ground Keepers from
washington worked on the diamond.
and today 1t is almost ready: The
light fall of snow was removed from
ho - oil
and spr'ngy, is certain to dry out under
the wind and sun. But the players will
not be allowed to take chances with
their muscles unit! the cold wind ceases.
II hope this is the last visit we make
to this town." said one veteran player
today. II don't complain about train
ing. about the two sessions daily, or
anything. That's part Of the game;
but coming here Is becoming monot-
1T is impossible to do anything in
your spare time. In the evening YOU
can't even walk a quarter OF a mile
clay. Billiards and bowling offer the
only relief. II you except the one or two
motion picture shows. It's getting tire
some. know. and think the same can
who came here in 1912"
Despite ali this. the Old Fox insists
that Charlottesville is ideal. He knows
that he can easily keep his young men
sipation ia impossible here.
Neal ness to Washington makes it pos
sible to have all meats shipped from the
Capital daily for the training table.
Though the players seem to discount
this. nevertheless this is important. as
in most training camps farther South.
the sameness Of the menu quickly pals
on the hard working athlete.
This IS the best place for t;a team; IN. :.
need is to loosen their muscles. get a
lot Of batting. and keer in condition.
They'll get their baseball work morn
ings after we go home, and in the after
noon games against the National League
would suit me all right. though
should IKE to be able to use 1t every
day from first to last"
.Grouchy, players. no matter how much
they dislike Charlottesville, are not
carrying their troubles 70 Manager Grif-
f1th. They know that orders are orders
and are good soldiers CROUCH to obey.
Indeed. most Of the grouches come after
a couple of sessions in FiyerwCatheI
Gymnasium. Indoor work never salts
hes the big Lacquer, He longs for the
good old outdoors, and Is never con-
tent till he gets it. Those two work
Of many players, and they are far from
happy today.
Marager Griffith is not overlookine
any bets when II comes 10 strenStNenins 6
his twirling corps. Otherwise, whv has
he so many absolutely green X ds IN
inmp here Yes. and he IL giving them
iUst as much attention as he Is TO those
who have been with the squad for Il
wear or two or more. Thormahlen
Clarke, Stevens. and Russell have never
pitched even minor league ball. but they
are being watched like hawks.
sSeu never can tell about kids" Il