The Washington times., 1916-12-21
Praises Manager Griffith for
Playing Him Regularly
In Garden.
WILL DROP SIXTEEN CUBS
Ban Johnson Invites Minor
League Leader to Explain.
His New Scheme.
ny LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Elmer Smith believes that regular
work in the Griffmen's garden next
year will improve his batting to such
an extent that Manager Griffith will
never have cause to remember his
. trade with Leo Fohl with anything
but the greatest JOY.
Smith lives In Milan. Ohio, a short
distance from Cleveland. and the out.
nelder frequently visits the sixth city
to SEQ his friends. The other day he
dropped into town and had the fol.
lowing to tell a baseball writer:
Manager Griffith has done won.
ders for mo I'm many ways since join,
ing the Washington club. His system
OF keeping me In the lineup against
all kinds OF pitching has so restored
my confidence that I no longer fear n
southpaw. as formerly.
81 didn't look very good against
left.handed pitching when I reported
to Washington, largely due to the
fact that adorned the bench when
southpaw worked against Cleveland.
In n few weeks 7 was going much
better and the time I faced Ruth and
Leonard. who are mighty sweet pitch.
crs, did pretty we'll against them"
Expect Much OF Him.
Both Manager Grifnth and wash.
ington fans expect much OF Elmer
Smith. lie Is the first real smuggling
hitter the Capital has had in years.
He may strike out. but II he gets hold
of the little old apple. It's sure to
take ride. Even today. with dread
winter here. IL In possible to hear fans
talk OF that memorable waiiop over
the right field wall.
with Cleveland last spring Smith
hit up around 400 for the first few
weeks. His long drives were 90.
pecially dangerous, AZ they came
usually In the tight places. IL was
due largely to his timely hitting that
FohfA team got away to such a f,ne
start, for speaker was almost always
ON the sacks waiting for a drive 10
bring him In. Smith produced the
drives.
q. Falling or n bit against southpawa,
Smith was benchcd In favor OF Bobby
Roth, who could whale the foriShand.
ers. and never again did he work OK
cept when righthanders were on the
mound against the Indians
-. VIII Play Regularly.
Next spring Smith will play left
hh' HhalAt 10
Manager Grinith's present plans. He
will not be taken out when south.
paws twlri against the Grinmen. for
tho Old Fox believes In his heart that
Smith will hit all kinds OF pitching.
With Smith OF the same mind. there
should be some fine old mauIing
around here.
sam Rice: who viii adorn right
held, has already demonstrated his
ability To hit southpaws as well as
righthanders, and he will also be
kept In the lineup.
Zeb Milan has never worried much
about southpaw pitching, and 40 the
Cribs should not suffer merely because
their three gardeners are left.hand
hitters. IL they hit. the fans won't
worry about how they do IL.
WIN Drop sixteen.
Fred Mitchell. the latest manager
OF the Chicago Cubs. Is planning 20
drop sixteen players from the clubs
roster before the practice season
gots under way. who they are will
not be known until next month.
Joe Tinker loaded up with former
Federal Leaguers, few of whom made |
good Flack and Leslie Mann were |
own easily. but the others fell down !
and meyer got up.
Mitchell, through his connection
with the Boston Braves, has his own |
opinions concerning the abilities OF |
tho Cubs as individuals, and he has
told Charlie weeghman that he will |
swing the AK ON sixteen athletes.
-.' Inviting the Minors.
Showing evident interest in the wei. |
fare OF the minor leagues throughout
the country Ban Johnson is inviting |
the presidents OF the bush organiza- |
tions to attend the January meeting
or the National Commission at Cincin- |
patti.
Al Tearncy, president OF the ThrceI
League. will offer his plan OF putting |
the minors on a stronger financial |
basis. Tesrney's scheme calls for "A |
reallotment of territory, making the |
various circuits more compact, and |
thus cutting down travelling expenses, |
now seriors matter in the minors.
Richmond Wants Team.
Talk OF taking the international |
League team from Richmond has
stirred the hackers OF the club and |
the fans OF the Virginia capital. They |
insist upon keeping the team right |
where IL is.
Manager Billy Smith is wintering In |
Georgia, but his well-known ability |
to whip a team together in few |
weeks is keeping Richmond fans from |
, worrying unduly.
Richmond made no money last sea
son, but few clubs i'm the Interna.
tional League did make money, IL is
generally believed that the proposed
interleague games with American As
soci6tion teams will prove a money
maker in the Virginia capital.
HAIChETlTES GET GAME