The Washington times., 1916-03-05
Stiffened Joints Finds Mike
Martins Charges Ready for !
Lay Off.
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

This is a camp OF stiffened athletes
One and all. they are limping around
this one complaining of lame leg and
that one of a lame foot. Three days
has sufficed to give all the youngsters
under command OF Uncle Nick Al
trock and Trainer Mique Martin their
initial aches and pains and they are
tsclded to be able to sit still today and
devour the Sunday sport pages at their
leisure.
Although both Altrock and Martin
are hopeful Of having their young
charges out on Lambeth Field tomor-
row, or by Tuesday at the latest. there
is little likelihood of 1t. The bench
cent sun has driven away most of the
snow from the field, but 1t has left
nothing but a huge sponge thoroughly
soaked. 1t will take considerable sun
and wind to put the playing field in
shape for the athletes. and meanwhile
another snowstorm may apear.
The players here are looking forward
with considerable anxiousness to the
arrival of the remainder of the squad
this week. They have heard so much
about this fellow and that one that they
want to see them. Those youngsters,
Tod Sloan, Charlie Humphreys. AL
len Dahlen, all want to get peek at
Walter johnson and they know that
their desire will be realized in q few
days now.
Mique Martin, aided by his major
domo. Dennie Hinton. has the camp in
tiptop condition for the rest OF the
team. Kappa Alpha frat house. other
wise known as Camp Griff. stands pre-
pared for the arrival of the athletes.
The overflow, and there is quite big
one will be taken care OF by Mrs.
Saunders.
A majority of the youngsters here at
tended church services this morning
and then returned to devour the sport
pages. Cards were generally tabooed
on the Sabbath. In the afternoon the
program called for short walks around
the University, most of the players not
having had much time or inclination TO
do this before today.
Unless 1t rains or SHOWS tomorrow.
the squad will repair TO Fayerweather
gymnasium, start with a little basket
ball practice and then cross the slippery
muddy street to the board track on the
tennis court and complete their exer-
cises. Mique Martin Is not allowing
with the exception OF Ray Morgan.
who is prodded and forced to work un-
I'll thoroughly exhausted.
Coaxed by a warming sun. the after
noon drill of the young Griffmen took
place in the tennis courts yesterday
afternoon. The snow had disappeared
from the.board track and allowed n dry
footing for the players who wore moth
ing but sneakers.
The pitchers warmed up fast. Ed
Charity, Arthur Ehrman and Jack
Ryan doing the receiving. Trainer
Martin kept on the, watch, guarding
against any possible injury TO the
pitching wings. Then about two miles
around the track was the dose given
every man on the squad before being
released for the day. This same pro-
gram Is down for tomorrow. unless the
weather does not permit 1t.
Uncle Nick" Altrock. whose exper-
ience entities him to all the respect OF
the young twirlers. keeps a close eye
on the actions of his pitchers. He has
had to caution Harry Harper almost
every day. the Hackensack southpaw
being SO filled with pep" that he wants
to tear loose every time he gets a ball
I'm his hands.
Tod Sloan. one of the Tennessee
Terriers here, is another who wants
TO pitch curves and fast ones the first
week out Altrock also gets after him,
Take your time. There's six weeks
yet. Don't try to burn up the place.
Take your time
All the more advanced pitchers, par
ticularly the newcomers. will have their
work cut out for them when the daily
batting drills begin. Manager Griffith
Is not likely to take any chances with
his better performers. but will take
every opportunity OF watching his
rockies in action.
This practicing indoors is not to the
Hiding of the youngsters at oil. and
there is moro or less quiet kicking. Be-
ing ball players. they want to play ball,
ketball and chest weights the stunts
of the past three days. They are all
looking forward to hearing the smack
OF the bat against the leather.
are the only, ones to have bat in their
hands. Following the warming-up
stunts in the gym. Nick bats Erounders
10 Morgan, serving thus TO put the lit
preparing him for the handball down
In the basement with Mique Martin.
Mere tossing to a catcher is all the
baseball the. pitchers are being given
their pitching muscles to the satisfac.
tlon OF Trainer Martin. the twirlers are
sent scouting around on the track un-
ill perspiring freely. The cold showers
Is their final stunt before being dis.
missed.
"All these youngsters are supposed 10
do here before the rest of the team arr
Iives," EXPLAINS Martin, ''is to prepare
their pitching muscles for the real
pitching that viii como later. When
thev have loosened up the mn sclcs OF
their back, shoulders. and arms by toss
ing. they can then heGin 10 use some
sneed and curves But there Is plenty
Of time for that.
"I have them run a couple OF miles 10
strengthen their lers and give them
wind If they have no wind, they can
not stand the workouts against the
batters. II their legs are weak they
haven't a chance in the world, ,ar'
not irving to make pitchers out OF
them. That's for Grlff and Nick t. do.
All I'm trying TO do IS to it them phvsi-
callv for the baseball that Is bound to
come when Manager Griffith shows up"
Turner Rarber. from Tennessee. by
heck. is taking raridlv to the. instr,ic-
tions of the trainer in regard to i'm
proving his style Of running. II he
could be outdoors every day. his Inn
provement would be remarkable In