The Washington times., 1915-03-12
GrHf'S Pitchers Ought
To Be Ready for Season
Those Expected to Do the Work Are Progressing Rapidly Toward
Perfect Condition for Hard Work-0d Fox Is Not
Worrying About Moundsmen Being in Shape.
By LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, March
12-The Griffmen's huriers are 60
ing to be in apple pie condition by
the time the team opens the 1915
campaign. Already Booth Hopper,
Joe Engel, Jim Shaw, Harry Harper,
Jack Bentley, and Doc Ayres have
progressed far along the road to real
season shape, while Walter Johnson
exhibited excellent form in yester-
days drill against the batsmen.
"My pitchers are not worrying me
so much," says the Old Fox, discuss
ing his chances for the pennant.
"They are going along nicely and I
am not worrying at all about them.
1t is too early to talk about some of
the kids, but do not hesitate to say
that ! like the looks Of Booth Hop
per. In the first place he is built
right, along the lines of all great
pitchers. He is loose in his move
ments and, when in the box, works
as if he knew something.
"Joe Engel showed to good ad-
vantage yesterday and SO did Jack
Bentley. Those two kids did not ex-
ert themselves, thereby showing
good sense. / know something about
them, anyway. Thormahlen has all
the movements of promising
youngster, but it is yet too early to
tell much about him.
As Grirf says, the pitchers are pro-
crossing TO his entire satisfaction. Har-
ry Harper's fielding weakness is still to
be eradicated before he will lie able to
hold his own in the big show. but the
Hackensack hurler Is laboring long and
hard daily to overcome his drawbacks
in this direction. Joe Engers control Is
good for this time Of the year. and his
speed was never greater. The Spring
Hill kid Ia right there with the smoke
stuff
Tomorrow the Griffmen will tackle the
Virginia varsity team again. and lit Is
possible that the Old Fox will yield TO
the demands of his rockies and use
some of them for at least part of the
game. lie may send Rondeau, Massey
and Brown into the garden and Pick
and Nen to the lnneld. The kids are
wild to get into the fray. instead OF
watching the game from the cold, cOid
concrete This Is particularly true ct
tho pitchers. All the rockies think they
can wind the collegians around their
fingers.
1t Is expected that when the Griffncn
Ii ,atN In hn pli i
ing practice game here. Walter Johnson
will be on the mound for few sessions
Walter is very popular here, and the
day he works the stadium will very
likely have a goodly throng in It.
| Zcb Milan and Eddie Foster are some
| what better today. Milan's stomach wal
upset yesterday from something he ate
while Foster Is suffering from u heavy
cold. Neither donned a uniform In thc
afternoon. physician was summoned
! for Milan, prescribing for him some
| medicine that was effective. though moi
| pleasant.
An epidemic of hard colds has hit tho
athletes Almost every other lad II
camp IL afflicted, while NJ. Ferdinsnc
| Martin can hardly make himself heard
| so bad Is his cold. The Old Fox is no
In the best of shape either. a victim o.
Ho ' refuses S % 10 quit. for feaf 10 OF the the bsc @
example he might give his aspiring ath
| letc5.
| "Chsppy" Gait. the well-known Wash
in1tOn Ian blew into camp yesterday IL
| time To gaze upon the shlVering athlete
at their daily toll. "Chappy" Opinci
| that Washington is going TO have Tea
| live ball club this season. and has al
ready wired for box seat for the open
ing game. During the evening Chap