Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-14

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, March IA.
THERE was a surprising number of
l. stiff arms and lame backs in the Mack
camp when the squad assembled for
morning practice today. Manager Mack
allowed the men to cut loose yesterday
believing that the sweltering weather
would be good for them, but last night 1t
was a trine chilly and muscles stiffened
up.
a pickup game was played yesterday
afternoon. with the battery men switched
about. The object of the game was to give
the twirlers an opportunity to handle the
ball great deal. Manager Mack believes
that this should improve the fielding very
much. No attention was paid to the
score and the men changed places often.
They received some excellent fielding
practice, which is one department Mack
knows must be strengthened. This idea
was right in line with the new system he
proposes using in schooling the battery
men of his new machine.
The writer has been in many training
camps, but never saw a pitching staff
given such attention as Mack and Ira
Thomas are giving the present corps.
Nothing escapes the attention of either
and many weaknesses in deliveries and
other faults which apparently do not
Ira to change completely the style of
twirler.
Several will be slow rounding into form
as a result, but when they are ready for
duty they will not fail through lack of
knowledge.
MOrrisette Is Stiff
One of those who reported rather lame
today was Morrisette, who apparently was
in such good shape that he had entirely
escaped the early season ailments. Nor
risette attributes his lameness to his
attempts to stop grounders and tag run
ners at third base In the practice game,
but his arm and shoulder are also lame.
The only hurler in the entire squad
who has not been affected is Crowell and
he looks better every day. Today he was
called to the centre of the diamond to
pitch for Mack's special benefit. After
the big collegian had burned them over
with great speed for 10 minutes, Mack
was all smiles, as II is apparent that the
strained arm which caused Crowell to de-
part for home long before the 1915 sea-
son closed is as strong as ever.
OF the catchers, wally Schang and
young Bill Meyers have not been troubled
with lame arms, but Perkins is still weak
while Bill Murphy Is in bad shape. Man
ager Mack said today that he expected
great things of Murphy, but that it
would De Impossible TOT lne yOunBSleT 10
show anything until his arm and shoulder
were in better shape. If Perkins is
strong enough for two sessions a day from
now on, Murphy will be allowed to take
II easy.
There never was a more interesting
training camp. 1t will be almost i'm
possible to tell just who is fit for major
league duty for week at least, but
there is a noticeable Improvement in many
and a gradual falling off in others, As
Manager Mack agrees the pitching prob
lem will gradually solve itself TO a cer-
tain extent after the men have been
shown just what is expected. 1t will be
a case of the survival Of the fittest and
Connie anticipates little trouble in making
his final selection OF hurlers
He said this morning that he did not
intend to carry more than three catchers,
as he wants 10 hold 10 pitchers for at
least a month after the season opens.
With Catcher Meyers showing wonderful
form for this time of the year, It looks
very much as II Perkins and Murphy will
fight It out for the other position. Per-
kins is light and Murphy is smart which