The Washington herald., 1916-03-28
Charlottesville Will Be
Training Camp in 1917
Griffith Is Sure Of Returning
to College Town for Spring
Work Next Year.
RAIN HALTS PRACTICE


the Nationals are certain to train here
in Charlottesville next spring and for
many seasons to come Is virtually as
sured. This news was learned today
through unexpected channels.
1t appears that Manager Griflth dur
ing one of his flying trips down here
last winter discussed with DIR. Lambeth
of the University of Virginia faculty
the advisability of installing additional
rooms in the new clubhouse now in pro-
cess Of construction on the top of the
hill and adjacent to the big stadium.
Griff was willing to pay a certain sum
yearly as a rental for lodgings in the
new University Club House providing all
of his players could be accommoda ted
and was told that the matter would
have to be submitted to the building
committee of the proposed club house
When interviewed today DR.. Lambeth
admitted that Grin had made such a
proposal and stated that as plans bad
already been drawn and the foundation
dug for the new house It would be i'm.
possible to install the number of sepa.
rate rooms Grin required for his official
family, much as the committee would
like to accommodate the Old Fox.
As a camp, Charlottesville, with the
use Of Vlrginia's field and gymnasium
suits Manager Grifith, and there is nc
doubt but that the Nationals will spring
train down here as long as the Old Fox
manages the club.
Grin was considerably peeved, not t.
say vexed, when he poked his nose ou
OF doors this morning only to find thai
heavy rain last night had soused Char
lottesville fore and aft.
About 10 o'clock 1t started to rain agair
and Grin declared that there would b,
M NtaRr To- L.
changed this order a few minutes late
by issuing instructions for Morgan anC
Judge, the fat boys, to hike to the biz
gymnasium and go through the Gus
tomary weight-reducing stunts.
After luncheon the entire squad wa
chased to the gym and the pitchers afte
working out gave way to the others wht
tossed the ball around. played baske
ball and limbered UP throwing muscles
1t was so warm that every athlete wa
perspiring freely, and the workout pro
duced the required results.
Griffith is now sorry he did not in
sist upon Sunday practice, for the rair
today not only kept the ball player
inside but there appears little chanc,
for outdoor practice tomorrow morn
ing, which means that the club will hav
been idle for two days, just at a tim,
| when work Is needed.
The Nationals break camp tomorrow
| noon and leave on the 1870 train 70
Washington.
No regrets have been expressed at tht
| thoughts of leaving Charlottesville FOL
! the work was beginning to get a bit irk.
some and the athletes tired of the rigid
daily routine, besides most of the regu
lars here are married and Of necessity
forced to be away from their families
| for Grih never has allowed the player.
) to bring their wives to camp or to take
them on trips around the circuit.
Walter Johnson today received let.
ter from one OF Washington's aspiring
young sand letters, which contained
strange request.
The youngster told Walter that he
was captain Of an amateur club and had
saved up IS, which he figured would
pay for uniform and that II Walter
would sell him his last years uniform
he would gladly fork over the money.
The great pitcher answered the letter
informing the boy that the uniforms are
the property OF the Washington Base.
ball Club and not the Individual players
| consequently he could not sell one II he
wanted to.
Marvin Goodwin, the right-hand pitcher
who was yesterday farmed out to the
Richmond club, is delighted with q
chance to show his worth in the Inter.
national League.
Goodwin said: II am sure I can make
good, at any rate I am going to try my
best If I fail 1t will not be because
have not given Manager Smith every.
thing I've got"
1t isn't often Walter johnson expresses
himself or takes part in a tanning bee
especially II there are newspaper men
lowering near. but today was so gloomy
there was really nothing to do but lounge
around Camp Griffith and swap stories
Eddie Plank's name was brought up ant
Walter took. occasion to pay a high
tribute to the veteran southpaw, WHIT
once drew wages from Connie Mack and
who, this year will be seen in the livery
Of the st. Louis Browns. Walter raid:
PLANK is a grand pitcher boys. III
take my hat Off to him. Why Eddie
must be ~ years old and yet I'll bet he
wins a whole lot Of ball games thi.
season. Its because Plank has lived the
right kind of life. He has no bat
| habits, keeps well by working on hi.
farm during the winter and saves hi,
money. You've just naturally got to hand
| II to a fellow who can do that, ant
let me tell you. its because Plank ha.
taken such good care of himself he 1.
now pitching in the major leagues"
Wonder II you'll be as good a pitcher
as Plank when you are AZ years Of age.
Walter was asked and replied with q
smile, boys j hope I won't have - play
ball for living when get to be thai
old"