Evening star., 1915-03-11
BY j. ED GRILLo.

IF the same team of last year plays
up to it's normal standard in the COM
ing campaign we will make a much
better showing than we did in 1914.
This was a prediction which Manager
Griffith made today.
The helmsman of the Nationals seems
well satisfied with the material from
which he is to select his team. He be-
lieves Gandil and Morgan will come
through as they did before last season,
and he looks for great improvement in
his pitching staff and better fortified
utility department. What is more, there
is no one in the ranks who is being
worried by Federal League offers. as
was the case last season. Griffith S
players seem satisfied with their
berths and are not worrying over the
Federal League in the least, Their
whole ambition appears to be to get in
and work for the best interest of the
team-a spirit which Is sure to make
a big difference in the teams showing.
Considering that the regulars vir-
tually had but two days training when
they played their first game yesterday.
they made splendid showing against
the collegians, really playing a grand
game of ball. Griffith started out with
ldent1Caly Inc same team WHICH went
through the last campaign, but he TOOK
Morgan and Foster out before the game
was very old. for it was found neces-
sary to let them continue work intend
ed to reduce their weight, while NeT
and Pick. the two substitutes, took
their places. Both of the youngsters
made good. There was Just one mis-
play charged against the big leaguers.
which was bad heave by Ainsmith,
who tried to catch runner mapping
Off first
The college pitchers, of course, used
curves, having been in training here
for more than month. and this was
something new for Griffith's players.
batting practice this spring. The team
under these conditions did not hit
as much as it might, yet did better
than was expected.
The pitching of Hopper and Harper
was all that could be desired. Hop
per allowed two hits in the three
innings he pitched, and one of these
was of the scratch variety. while Har-
per allowed but one hit. also a scratch.
in the three innings he worked. He
seemed to be the most improved young
ster on the team. having world Of
stuff, and showing himself to possess
nearly perfect control of the ball. He
still has much to learn. but the chances
are that by the time the season opens
he will be nearer 4 finished pitcher
than ever before.
Hopper is q pitcher of the Tom
Hughes type. His every motion re-
stands at the plate did the veteran.
Hopper knows how to pitch. and is
pretty sure to be of value to the team
later in the season, for, while he is In
fairly good form right now, he really
Is a warm-weather twirler.
Gallia, who pitched the last three
innings, was hit harder than either Of
his teammates But the reason for this
was that 1t was much colder at that
stage Of the afternoon. and he could
not warm up properly. Gallia seems
to have acquired control Of the ball.
1t it pretty safe prediction that
wear with the bat He is hitting in
ractice better than he did at any time
last year. again using his entire body
behind his blows, as he did the first
two years he was with the team
Gandii looks to be in fine health. and
has actually succeeded in quitting the
cigarette habit, which Griffith predicts
will make a new man of him. chic. OF
course, is not anywhere near to form.
because he has only been working a
day or SO. but he seems on a fair way
to get there before very long
Walter johnson p1tcned TO Lhe Ddt-
ters for fully twenty minutes yester-
day. and there were occasions when
he put enough steam on the ball to
whiz 1t past the batters before they
could get their bats around. johnson
also Is ready to pitch. 1t seems to
make no difference whether 1t Is win
ter or summer. he has that terrific
speed at his command. as he demon
| strated yesterday. Johnson, as usual. Is
working hard and it should be but a short
| time before he will be in shape to pitch
| a full ball game. Johnson plans to 90
| a lot of pitching to the batters this
| season During the past three seasons
| Griffith never allowed johnson to pitch
in batting practice because he did not
| think Walter benefited by that sort Of
work nor liked to do it. But he found
out last season that johnson liked to
| work in this manner from the rubber
| on days he was not slated to pitch.
and Griffith readily consented to this
| arrangement.
Ray Morgan is rapidly getting down
| to the proper weight He was weighed
| yesterday and tipped the beam at 1853.
| Trainer Martin says he Will get Morgan
| down to $50 pounds before he will let
| Up on his strenuous training. The re-
| suit is that Morgan is showing much
! speed In his fielding, and is gradually y
I showing himself to be very capable
! second baseman.
Douglas Nefr gives promise Of devel-
| oping into good hitter. He is meet
| ing the ball well and is practicing the
art Of hitting into right field He