Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-07
PAT MORAN THINKS
PILLS WILL REPEAT
Expects His Team to Be Just
as Strong in National League
as Last Year.
PITCHING MOUND AT POLO
GROUNDS IS MADE LEVEL
Bane of Washington Pitchers
Eliminated-Southpaw Humph-
ries Is Given Praise.
BY j. ED GRILLO.

! Manager Pat Moran of the champion
Phillies is well satisfied with his team S
chances in the coming National League
race.
Il think said he, at the New Ebbitt
House this morning, that my team will
be as strong, if not stronger, than last
season. We are in good shape, but are
handicapped bit now. as Adams hurt
his hand in the game at Richmond yes
terday.
That little left nder, HUMPHREYS.
whom Griffith sent down to the Richmond
club, pitched very good game of ball
against US, and he ought to make good
pitcher in time He seems to know what
he is on the mound for and that counts
for much"
"What is Bill Killifer's condition. was
asked.
"Well, Killifer is not doing any hard
throwing, but he tells me he is not having
the least pain in his arm and that he ex-
poets to be able to take his regular turn
behind the bat by the time the weather
gets warm
Most of Moran's players went out to
the ball park at II 80 this morning to in
dulge in practice. Griffith allowed them
the use of the park as soon as the morn
had been finished.
The elevated pitching mound. which
has been the bane of the Washington
Polo Grounds in New York to play the
Yankees is no longer in evidence.
There was some doubt as to whether
McGraw had conformed to the ruling OF
the National League that every diamond
must be laid out exactly according to
the regulations of the league.
In order to establish what the condi-
tons are on the Polo Grounds this
concerned. telegram was sent to Joe
Villa of the Evening Sun. who replied
in the following self explanatory wire:
NEW YORK, April Z, 1916.
]. Ed Grillo. The Star. Washington, D. c
Hampstead says pitching mound has
JOE VILLA.
When Manager Griffith was informed
of the change that had been made in
the pitching mound on the Polo Grounds
he was gratif1ed. THAT elevation has
been a great handicap to most of our
pitchers. and especially to Walter John
son. who could not control the pail
from the high mound" Griffith said.
johnson also was pleased when told
that the mound has been leveled. and
he insisted that it would mean that he
would win more games on the Polo
Grounds than heretofore.
Ray Morgan Is playing the best ball Of
his career He had ten chances in yester-
days game and most Of them were of the
difficult variety, vet he had nothing that
resembled an error
He undoubtedly saved the game in the
sixth. when with one run over and one
out he made splendid stop Of Collins
to force Fitzpatrick, and Charity shot
the ball to Judge. in time to end the in
ming with a double play.
Morgan will fill the second base position
to perfection if he attends to his business
during the entire season. and there is lit
tie danger of his not doing that. He also
is expected to prove of value with the
bat.
Doc Ayers displayed brilliant form in
the five innings he occupied the mound,
holding the Braves to single hit and
not allowing run to be scored. Doc had
perfect control. not walking man and
only allowing fifteen men to face him in
the five innings Compton started the
third with hit, but Gowdy hit to Ayers,
who, together with Morgan and Judge,
turned it into double play. Compton
was the only one to reach the bases and
he did not last long.
Tyler pitched good ball during the four
innings he worked, Charity being the
only one to hit him safely. and he sent
two safe drives to left field.
Charity virtually made his debut in
Washington yesterday, when he caught
the entire game for the Griffmen. Char
rity not only threw WELL stopping the
only Brave who tried to steal. but he
handled himself we'll behind the bat
and displayed gameness in touching
runners. while his part of the double
play which Morgan started in the sixth
was brilliantly performed.
1t looks very much as if Griffith had
picked up a mighty handy man in
Charity. who is not only good
catcher. but can hit and is fast on his
feet.
Howard Shanks and Charley jamie
son filled the places of Rondeau and
Barber in left and right field, respec-
lively, yesterday. and both of them did