New Britain herald., 1916-03-29


 vare at Shreveport, and the Cleveland i Indians at New Orleans.
 Georgia only got one big league team
 this spring, the Tanks at Macon while l Virginia, as usual has the Washington I Senators, who have been training at l Charlottesville Va, for number of years despite the fact that everybody in Washington, with the exception of Clark Griffith, is against Charlottes- vile as a training camp. Kentucky just about got into the training camp
 map, as the Pirates went to Dawson Springs. Ky, for a week before going
 to Hot Springs.
 The spring training is one of the big
 prerequisites of the ball player. In the
 days gone by the players got in trim the best way they could on their home grounds. Some had to shovel snow in order to get clear field. Imagine do- ing that now. The importance of training is appreciated by the present day magnates, and the heavy expense is more than willingly paid, because all realize the helpfulness and necessity of the trip.
 Many fans are of the opinion that the cost is defrayed by exhibition games, but such is not the case. A manager who has championship aspi- rations will not, as a rule, play his stars, and for this very reason south ern fans refuse to see an exhibition game But manager nearly always considers exhibition games a good me- dium in getting line on the recruits and for that reason is usually indif- ferent as to whether or not he has a large crowd.
 Now, reader, don't have the idea that the players go south to have a hilari ous time, for they don't. Once they hit the camp action immediately com- mences. They are compelled to keep good hours and are closely watched by their manager. They have hours for work and recreation just the same as the average citizen.
 The players have numerous ways in enjoying their spare hours. Some like fishing, some golfng, some checkers and others at times go back to their school days and play leapfrog and oth- CT such games.
 Each club in the major leagues is permitted to carry twenty five players on the roster, but some managers will cut 1t down this season, perhaps two men, and maybe three, because they believe it is a mistake to keep too many players on the bench day after day.
 This arrangement means that many players who are now at their training quarters must be turned adrift by the time the championship season is one month old. In many cases the players will be turned back under optional agreements, as club owners have paid fancy prices for 8 number of the young players now battling for positions
 It is too early to make any forecast on the probable makeup of any club, but there are many players who may be classed outside the pale of worry about release before May 15. However, each one must show class" in order to march up the hill after the pennant
 If confidence is of any help the raw recruit will surely be O. K. But you know, the hard hearted manager will shatter many an ambition. An other thing that must be thoroughly weighed is that peace once again reigns in the baseball camp, which means the players can't fall back on the Federals | and receive a nice sum of change, but : will have to go to the minors for a smaller salary.
 Well, while the boys are prining themselves under the southern skies most of us must be content reading what Is going on. Study their move ments and also good excuses for being ate for supper behind a pipe or what ever you are accustomed to smoking, md when the season starts you'll have l pretty good idea of how things will go. We'll let her go with hopes for a close finish.