The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-26
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Next Wednesday the 1915 Griffmer
make their bow before the home thronG
at Georgia avenue. facing the George.
town University nine. From then until
April 8 they will be in daily action
preparing for the opening of the Amer.
lean League season against the New
York Yankees at the Polo Grounds.
From all signs, only three new faces
will be seen In the battle line of the
Griffmen when the curtain goes up.
Joe Judge will have supplanted Chick
Gandil. Henri Rondeau will be in left
field instead Of Hank shanks. and
Charlie Jameson will be in right in
stead OF Danny Moeller.
Beginning next Wednesday. Manager
Griffith will try out all his more promis-
ing youngsters against the National
League teams here. This applies par
ticularly to Sam Rice and George Du-
mont; pitchers: Horace Milan and Tur-
ney Barber. outfelders: Carl Sawyer.
inhelder. and Ed Charity. the backstop
from Minneapolis
The fight for regular berths Ia by no
means ended. Rondeau and Jameson
may yet be forced out OF their places.
Ed Charity has shown enough ability
to make the scrap behind the bat in
teresting. Carl Sawyer's fielding. tag
cling Of runners and speed on the paths
foretells anxious moments for Ray
Morgan.
Judge Is a certainty at first base. So
Is Eddie Foster at third and FEB Milan
in center field. II Grin is to be be-
lieved, changes may be seen In every
other position on the team before the
campaign has progressed far.
IL the Griffmen start in with a team
n rNV.I
Fox will have, to make numerous shifts
in his lineup, II he would remain In the
hunt. and II goes without saying that
he does want that.
Boston, Detroit. and Chicago had
1915. and are no weaker this spring.
New York and st. Louis have been
STRENGTHENED since last October. II the
Griffmen fail to class with New York
or st. Louis, the second division will
stare the Old Fox in the face. He won't
like that.
WashinRton will have a strong pitch
Ing staff. lust as II has had for several
seasons now. Little fault will he found
with the twirlers, but the best OF pitch
Ing cannot win without the WALTON.
Griff's task is to bring out the hit
tiers.
Joe Judge, in his short trial last year
looked capable of holding his own in
fast company.
There is some doubt in the minds OF
the fans as to whether or not Ray
Sawyer from oustIng him.
George McBrides weak swatting
would never he noticed on a team OF
hard hitters, but II the rest of his team
mates fail to come to his assistance. n
howl may he raised against the veteran
nd 1AN,a
. more consistent sluRger.
Zeb Milan Is fixture. but who his
helpers In the garden are to he may be
decided only after the season is we'll
under way. The hitters will earn the
Jobs. '.'.....',,
, Just what opposition the Griffmen will
have from the National League teams
coming here Is a question.
The championship Phillies look to he
In good condition. Judging from their
easy victories over the Cubs. The Braves
showed major league stuff when they
trimmed the Mackmen a couple Of times
In o row. The Dodgers seem to be as
strong as ever.
However. oven though he may not be
willing to risk defeat. Manager Grit
nth will use these coming exhibition
games as tests for hts players. Various
combinations Will he tried In tho morn
ing practice okirp1ishes some Of which
may later be seen against the National
League teams.
. From now until tho season ovens
In New York the Old Fox will develop
his outfit Tor flying start. Exactly
thirteen PLAYING DAYS stand between
the Griffmcn and the ringing OF the
gong at tue Polo Grounds, April II.
the day before the campaign opens. will
be used In resting.
Can the Grirfs land up among tho
leaders,,
Don't know. hut Il might he well 10
wait until the Ole Fox finally picks his
regulars. They're not chosen vet.