The Washington times., 1916-03-05

has been his poor form. He is now
being taught what In known as good
FORM. He Is picking up his heels and
showing his toes at every step. This
means eventually that he will greatly
lengthen his stride. adding speed to his
running.
Barber has a good build for a run
ner,' says Martin. "All he needs is a
lot OF practice. with instructions as to
now TO run: II he follows my advice
nell add at least stride to his gait
In going down to first base. That will
mean many a hit this summer that he
would otherwise lose"
Martin Is absolutely correct, too.
about this. Joe Jackson, now with the
Chicago white Sox. though fast enough
IN the field, Is poor base runner. and
is cheated out OF enough hits in the
intleld every year to give him the bat
ting leadership. Hank Shanks is an
Stner St VINO suffers from the same thing.
Shanks Just can't seem to get off his
Leet at the plate. and is thrown out at
1irst base by step or even half
step frequently during a season.
IL Is to save Barber from this dire
fate that Trainer Martin Is laborfng
with him. Barber is. apparently,
good batsman. but to hold his own In
the American League he will have to be
able to run on the bases. The Griffmen
have none too many good base runners
he can hit close to 800.
Doc Ayers claims to bR under weight
but II Is very unlikely that he will be
allowed to add a pound to his present
total Ayers puts on his greatest weight
during the off season in his chest and
shoulders. He Is now as big as A.
mousse. though he has spent the winter
outdoors. No man In camp Is working
harder than the Hillsviile mountaineer.
as Ayers wants to be that fourth man
In the quartet of 1916.
More or less gloom has been spread
among the young pitchers here by n
report reaching camp that Manager
Griffith planned to keep only six swirl |
ers on the team this year. II the Old |
Fox ever gave out such a statement in |
Washington he was III advised. How !
ever. 1t Ia unlikely that the report Is
true.
Waiter johnson. Bert Gallia, and
Harry Harper are looked upon as regu- |
lars this year bv the bunch here IN |
camp. Doc Ayers experience would |
entitle him to considerable respect. /
Joe Boehiing's earnestness. coupled |
with that long contract. would indicate
his being kept by the Old Fox. THIS
would leave one place left open to all |
the others.
Jim Shaw is working out methodic- |
ally, and has yet to feel any pain in his |
There
Is bit of soreness from the unusual |
exercise. but Shaw does not believe |
that he will be handicapped this year
by anything but his wildness. He hopes
to eradicate that from his perform |
ances. too.
1t Is more than probable. despite con.
trary reports. that the Old Fox will !
carry more than six pitchers in 1916. |
Indeed he will come 10 that decision |
tho moment he takes a peek at the |
gang working here.
One of the most promising in the |
squad Is Charlie Humphreys, citizen |
OF Tate. Ca. Humphreys. a mere mid |
get In size. is a giant In action. The |
smoothness OF his delivery is sure TO |
make distinct impression upon the |
Old Fox. who wasn't so very much |
bigger whom he was leading National |
League twirlers back In the Dark Ages. |
Humphreys Is southpaw who Is not |
a nut" In some ways. this is the !
most remarkable thing about him. He |
says nothing. but he Is minding every |
bit OF advice handed him, and Is ex- |
pected to show up well against the bat |
ters when the drills on Lambeth Field |
begin.
Sam Rice. who got into few games |
toward the close OF last season. Is TAX |
Ing his time this spring. much as
Bert Gallla has always done here. Rice |
hCtb llke seasoned DllCner, ana, unless |
the six-man rule is put into effect. may |
have a chance to stick.
George Dumont II not working very
hard. Until he recoVers from his tor
sill indisposition he will have to hold |
himself back. However, there Is plenty |
of time for him to begin. His work |
last september entities him to consid- |
cradle attention,
It is hard to see what chances Arthur |
Ehrmnn. the former Virginia University |
bacEstop, can have OF holding on with |
the Griffmen. The team now has four |
Charity, and Ainsmlth, and the Old |
Fox will hardly carry more than throe |
during the season. Ehrman. therefore, |
faces the stitr task of beating out at
least two o fthe Quartet named above,
Ehrman's ineligibility Is not new here.
cd by the 1915 varsity team al Virginia, |
though he had played professional ball |
the summer before. Tho protest from
North Carolina was made last spring. !
The finding was never made secret:
though i attracted no attention until
piled to Nick Altrock for chance with |
The Young backstop is smaller than
Charity. who Is about the build OF |
Eddie AlnSlcith. EIc Is stock'ly built, |
seems 70 have a good arm. and Is fast
staying with the team are not bright, |
unless he can shcw up better than at
least two Of GTift'3 present quartet. |
The yOungsttr Is willing to try, any |
way. and that argues for his courage.
c. Hecox to Continue