The Washington herald., 1915-03-22
'GRIFFITH HINTS
Change COMING
Pick and Acosta May Sup
plant Morgan and Shanks
On the Nationals.
PLAYERS MUST IMPROVE
Week Will Be Hard One for Athletes.
Who Will Have Games and
Practice Daily.
BY WILLIAM PEET.

| Charlottesville. Va, March oi.-That
| there may be a big surprise in store for
| the fans of Washington when the Ma
| tionals open the season in the Capital
next month was learned tonight when
Manager Griffith stated that he had not
| by any means decided upon his lineup.
II notice all you newspaper men have
made statements to the effect that the
Washington club. which finished the 1914
campaign. would be In the field for the
opening game this season. Griff COM
mented
Have Another Guess Coming.
You fellows have another guess COM
ms for just now I am not at all sure
that the so-called regulars Will be IN
there when the bell rings
Pressed for additional light on the sub
ject the Old Fox refused to commit him
self. lie did say that several of his play
ers would have to hit better than they
did in 1914 or else they would warm the
bench.
This means. according to the writer's
way OF looking at the matter. that Shanks
in left field and Ray Morgan on second
are the doubtful ones, for during the
practice games played here during the
past two weeks. Charlie Pick has shown
amazing ability TO sting the ball. He
also cover second base IN a nifty man.
ner while Acosta has batted much bet
ter than Shanl-S. OF course, neither Pick
nor Acosta can field with Morgan and
Shanks. but the Old Fox wants hitters.
VIII Select Them in Capital.
Then there is a possibility that Henry
Rondeau will come through. Rondeau
still has three weeks or more In which
to get into shape. He has shown that
he can hit during the few chances he
has had in the games played here
There promises to be a merry scramble
for second base and left field positions
during the remainder of the time allotted
for spring training. and the work of the
PLAYERS when they return to the Nation
al Capital next week will be watched
carefully, for it is there that the finish
ing touches will be put on.
The Nationals tackle the University Of
Virginia tomorrow in a nine-nning exhi-
bition game. Waiter Johnson and Joe
Boehling are slated to do the pitching
and a big crowd is expected.
Moran Protests SieElie's Action.
Manager Moran, OF the Philadelphia
National League club. notified Ramiro
SiegIie by telegram this morning that he
had entered protest against him. filing
charges with the National Commission TO
the effect that the Philies have the
prior claim to Sieglie's services.
Griffith claimed that if the Phillics
could produce in writing a statement
from SieGlie to the effect that he had
agreed upon terms with that club before
signing a Washington contract. he would
turn him back to Moran.
Tine Phillies cannot show any such
statement from Sieglie because he
tells me so himself. and his word
is good enough for me. So they have
not a legal claim on the player. OF
that l am confident" Manager Grif-
fifth said.
Hard Week for Club Members.
The present week is going to be a
hard one on the Washington pitchers
if Griffith carries out his present
plans. Starting tomorrow, recruits
and regulars alike will be told to put
a lot of stuff on the ball, more
than they have thus far shown, in
which case the practice games should
be hard fought and much closer tina
previous battles.
In the three games against Jack
Dunns Richmond club, the Nationals
best slabG1en will he asked to per-
form. Johnson. Roehling. Shaw. Ayers.
Harper. Hopper and Bentley will be
taken along and every one OF them
will get into the box scores
The usual quiet Sunday was passed
in camp. The weather was a bit
cold. hut this did not deter the ath-
letes from taking long walks and at
tending church.