The Washington herald., 1916-03-16
odd Fox" Does Not Antici-
pate Any Trouble from Play
ers Who Refuse to Sign.
PRACTICE HELD INDOORS
BY WILLIAM PEET,

Charlottesville, Va, March 15.-Al-
though the Federal League outlaws
have been eliminated this season Grif-
nth has two ball players on his hands
who thus far have not signed 1916
contracts.
hgures on the contract rendered him
and Henri Rondeau is also outside the
fold
The majority OF major league man
ayers these days refuse to permit men
who have not signed to report for
spring straining, and Griff has always
been in favor of this system, but
and neither has placed his John Han
cock on the 1916 papers.
81 do not anticipate any trouble
whatever with these players" said
Griff. IF l did. they would not be
here in camp. l brought Shanks' con-
tract down with me as l did not have
chance to talk with him in Wash
ington. AS for Rondeau he believes
he is entitled to more money than the
original figures, and he will get what
he wants If he turns out to be the
kind of ball player I expect
Shanks and Rondeau both refuse to dis
cuss the matter, but the mere fact that
both are down here in training conveys
the belief that they feel Griff will deal
@"'4-5 "'NAA N4'N'
Because Of the storm which is general
throughout the South, the Nationals were
forced to work indoors both morning and
afternoon today, although the sun came
out about l o'clock and later in the even
ing 1t would have been possible to use
Lambeth Field, but the Old Fox did not
care to take chances.
The pitchers warmed up in Fayer-
weather gym. later the infielders and
outfielders umlimbered their muscles, 30
the day was not wasted.
EdIe Foster and Clyde Milan were
excused from practice, as both are in
good condition and really need a little
rest
also the contest scheduled with the Uni
versity OF Virginia.
As It is blowing up cold tonight and
indications point to freezing weather to-
morrow GriI hardly expects to get on
the field until the afternoon, and will
not play a ball game unless 1t moderates.
The main squad OF GrifTmen here has
worked outside five days in a row under
almost ideal climatic conditions, and to-
days setback will not hurt the boys a
bit, II anything, it will be to their ad-
vantage, a welcome rest.
For the first time since Grin has been
at the helm he Is not venturing any pre-
diction as to where his club will finish.
The Old Fox usually says each spring:
"Oh, Wen be up there all right but
now its different.
The wise guys said Grin tonight,
have our club finishing in the rut.
second division team from the start
we'T let them think so, won't contra
dict them.
IT know one thing, however-we are
going to be out there fighting for every
game. I've got good pitching staff
and a bunch OF willing workers, who will
pull together-there's no telling what we
will do"
That's about as close as Grin will come
to making predictions.
Walter johnson looks to be in great
shape this spring. The big fellow has
taken the best OF care OF himself all
winter and is working just as hard as
any of the youngsters to get ready for
the season.
Johnson really needs only a couple
of more weeks light work when he
will be ready to start the season.
Jim Shaw. it is claimed, never could
get control down in Charlottesville,
but this far Jimmy has looked pretty
good. He is not bothered with lame
ness and with another stretch of warm
weather can begin throwing curves in
ten days or so.
Charley Humphreys has already
started hooking the ball for the
reason that he was in condition when
he reported
The American League race this
season promises to be the closest and
hardest fought in recent years, for
the reason that the wiseacres have IL
all figured out that New York and
st. Louis, both weak sisters in the past,
have added considerable strength. also
that Washington cannot possibly be
stronger than in 1915.
II Barber. Rondeau and Judge come
through with the bat as Griff figures
they will, the Nationals are going to
upset a whole lot of dope. It's a bit
too early yet to start figuring pennant
winners.