Evening star., 1915-06-29
BY ]. ED GRILLo.

There is nothing to the story that
Manager Griffith intends to make a
deal whereby he will obtain Jack Bar
ry, the Athletics brilliant shortstop.
Just how this rumor was started no
one seems to know, but Griffith is en-
phatic in his denial that he has deal
on for Barry or any one else.
Its all rot about Barry, SO far as 1
am concerned" said he. II have no
deals with anybody. and won't have
any. either. What changes I will make
in my team from time to time will be
with young players. Il am not in the
market for any veterans"
Griffith was much pleased with the
showing of Douglas NeT. 'I have al
ways believed that Nef would make
ball player. and 1 am glad that the
opportunity to play him has come.
In speaking of Morgan. Griffith said
that the second baseman was under In
definite suspension, and that he was
not interested in the player in any way.
He had not made up his mind just what
will be done with Morgan. but for the
time being he is under suspension
( without pay.
1t is likely that Joe Boehling will
have another trial today. The luckless
southpaw may be able to break his
spell of defeat. but he will have to
have lot more stun than he has shown
on the previous appearances. Grifhth
is to choose between Gallia and Boehl-
ing just before the game starts. and
he said this morning that 1t would
probably be the Richmond thunder
bolt"
The Nationals leave shortly after
midnight for New York. Three single
games will be played Wednesday:
Thursday and Friday. and notihcatlon
came from the New York club yester-
day that a double-header would be
played Saturday. Unless the Boston
club gets permission to postpone it's
double-headers. the Grinmen VIII be
compelled to play six games there IN
three days, which will be quite a hard
ship.
The best feature of Neff's showing in
yesterdays game was his coolness
Had Neff been playing the position for
several years he could not have acted
more at ease, and impressed the fans
with feeling absolutely at home. He
was not nervous or overanxfous. but
and displayed lot of ability: Consid-
ering the fact that 1t was Nens first
game, and that he has not even been
able to practice for the past week or so
because OF an aHlCtlOn OIL UOlIs, MS
performance was all the more remark
able.
Neff not only got three hits and han
died everything that came his way. but
he gave evidence of having keen Judg
ment on the bases. He demonstrated
this in the second inning, when he went
from second to third on short wild
pitch. The ball seemed to have beaten
him to the bag. but by clever fall
away slide he avoided being touched.
A moment later he scored on a double
steal with Ainsmith. and again his
clever sliding made it possible for him
to be declared safe.
OF course, one ball game does not
prove players worth. He will have
to make swing around the circuit be-
fore a correct line can be had on Neff
but he displayed enough Yesterday to
prove him the possessor of extraorii-
nary ability.
Crowell undoubtedly is a pitcher of
ability. and with experience should
prove q good man for Connie Mack He
was hit much harder, however, than is
shown by the box score. there having
been any number of hard drives which
went right at some fielder.
Walter Johnson continues to display
his best form. 1t has gotten so that
1t is question whether opposing
teams will score on him. and this has
not been accomplished in the last
twenty mine innings he has pitched
1t would not be at all surprising If
Walter ran up another record in the
matter of consecutive innings pitched
without being scored on. He Is on a
fair way now. and II he retains the
pace he has shown of late, the team
which scores on him will have to have
many breaks.
Johnson now always seems to have
something in reserve. He pitches at a
moderate pace until he finds himself in
Il position where he Is apt to be scored
on, when he cuts loose, and in every in
stance, in the last three games he has
pitched, he has worked himself out OF
these predtcaments by a remarkable
display of speed.
Tommy Connolly is not in his batting
stride by any means. In the two
games he has played he has not made
base hit. His long lay-off seems to
have robbed him of his batting eye, but
he Is sure to cut loose some day soon
The collegian is playing a splendid
game in the field. his throwing being
particularly strong .and accurate.
The sale of Bob ShaWkey to the New
York Americans is announced by Con-
ME Mack. Shawkey pitched good ball
for the Mackmen. but Mack says he
has reasons for getting rid of him.
Shawkey undoubtedly will add
strength to the Yankee outflt.
Today. game will be called at 9
o'clock to give the Mackmen a chance
to get an early train for Boston.