The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-27
Pittsburgh Collegian to Face
Athletics on First Visit of
Philadelphians Today.
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP

New York. April 26.-Rather a discon-
solate. but nevertheless scrappy band of
athletes boarded the midnight express
Tor Washington. where tomorrow a four
game series will be opened against Con-
ME Macks tribe from the Sleepy City
Jim Shaw will be turned loose against
the Athletics tomorrow. according to
present plans. and with the possible ex-
ception of Danny Moeller the Nationals
batting order will rema in the same as in
today's game
Cmpires Evans and Mullaney have
been ordered back to Washington. so this
pair will be on the job for the Athletics
series. Mullaney missed one play here
today that might have changed the en-
tire complexion of the game. for il the
Griffmen had been able to score in the
fourth. every indication pointed, had
not Foster beer called out at first base
Griff would have removed Joe Boehling
and fresh pitcher might have choked
off those Yankee runs made late in the
contest
Harry Harper yesterday celebrated his
twentieth birthday. "All ask for is that
this year will show me how to gain con-
troll and l will be in the box winning
games for Griff until I am az old as
Eddie Plank said Harper.
Stevens. the young pitcher Griff sent to
Montreal. was A visitor at the hotel to-
day. Stevens has already made good
with the Canadians. and is now regarded
as the second best hurler on the club.
From the pen of Joe Villea, of the
Evening Sun, comes the following:
The drubbing administered to Sir Wal
ter johnson by the Yankees on Saturday
was attributed by the king of pitchers
to the raised box at the Polo Grounds.
The box is the highest point of the new
turtleback diamond and is particularly
advantageous for pitchers who use the
overland delivery. johnson. who is
sidearm pitcher. says that he continually
lost his balance on the mountain and
could not control his curve ball AS a
result he had to depend on speed and a
straight ball in order to get the leather
over the plate. For that reason, Johnson
explains. he was hit harder by the
Yankees than ever before. Strange to
say. the raised box did not hamper Alex
ander of the Philles. when he beat the
Giants last week. although ne is strictly
a sidearm pitcher.
President johnson has instructed his
to enforce the balk rule to the
letter. There must be no leniency. 1t is
that practically all of the
pitchers in Big Bans circuit spent much
time during the spring training trips in
pc rfecting motions that might not be con-
sidered violations of the rule. The UNI
pires therefore have been ordered to de-
clare balk whenever n pitcher makes
the slightest move to wind up before
throwing the ball to a baseman. Presi-
dent johnson says that pitcher who
attempts to evade the balk rule is guilty
Of unsportsmanlike conduct. which is
iisplea sing to the baseball public. So
American League boXmen in future must
be extremely careful.
Taking a leaf from the hook Of old
chris Mathewson. the recognized mas
Ter of his art. johnson is effecting
nota BILE change in his pitching habits.
While he is still tipping them through
he is looking into the future years
when he will not have the same zip.
and is developing a curve and a slow
ball to accompany his speed. With
these In his repertoire he expects 10
90 down the sands of time as Matty
has done.
In the seven years that he has been
pitching in the American League
Johnson has been depending entirely
On his speed. He had plenty of it.
md 1t has gained him the reputation
If being the greatest right handler in
he game today. His speed. combined
with his control, has enabled him to
'un up big averages despite the fact
hat until three years ago he did not
nave good club behind him.
He still has the speed. but he real |
yes that as time goes on il will grad
tally fade out. Matty was once a |
peed marvel, but he has long Stree |
ost his speed and has been depending |
or several years on the other tricks |
II his trade to win for him.
Tohy hoc ,,l
I slow ball in all his games this |
ear. and when he has good control of |
hem he makes them effective. He no |
onger attempts to strike out every |
,atter who comes to the plate. He IS |
lso showing a tendency to save him.
self. When his team gets a lead |
ohnson eases up. Unfortunately for !
lin the Senators are not as good a |
hitting club as Matty has had behind |
lin for the past few years. and he |
oes not get as many opportunities to
oa5, as ii were.