The Washington herald., 1916-08-22
Smith NOT INJURED
when HIT in HEAD
BY dave DAVENPORT
Nationals New Outfielder viii
Continue in Game-Leonard
to Play Today.
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP

In the ninth inning Of yesterdays game,
Elmer Smith, the former Cleveland out
fielder. was hit squarely in the head by
curved ball delivered from Pitcher
Dave Davenport
Smith dropped to the ground like a
clay pigeon before crack shot, and had
! to be assisted to the bench.
Manager Griffith last night in discuss
ing the accident was asked II Smith was
, seriously injured. He replied:
Not a bit-Smith will be in the game
. today. I'm glad he got a tap on the
forehead. Davenport couldn't hurt any
body If he wanted to-"
will Smith be bat-shy do you think
the writer inquired.
II should say not-he's a game fellow,
and doesn't mind a little thing like a
! crack on the head. I'll venture a wager
that Smith will come back today and
deliver a couple of safe blows. He hasn't
started to hit yet. and yesterdays little
experience will probably wake him up"
Smith has made anything but a prom
Using debut here. His nun Of fly ball in
the first inning yesterday gave the
Browns a run, but the Old Fox has un-
bounded confidence in the newcomer and
declares that hei going TO keep him IN
the game every day, no matter who
pitches
The ball which laid Smith low was a
side-arm curve, and hit Smith in the
forehead Had 1t been d couple Of
inches either way and landed on the
right or left temple, serious results might
have followed.
For the final appearance of the Browns
here this afternoon Bert Gallia will
probably be in the box, and will be oP-
posed by either Bob Groom or Eddie
Plank
The Nationals have beaten Plank twice
this year, and Griffith Is in hopes that
Jones will start him again today. for
he is confident that his young athletes
can XiIn the Gettysburg gunner.
Two plays in yesterdays game fairly
spa rkled with brlliancy. Johnny Lsvan
dashed madIy over toward second base
in the NTH inning and speared with one
hand a smoking grounder from jamie
sons bat, while Eddie Foster robbed
Borton of a base hit in the eighth by the
same method.
Umpire Tommy Connolly swept the
plate with a dinky little brush which
resembled I'm size the kind you see in
a sanitary barber shop. tucked away IN
china cup emblazoneL with gold letters,
proclaiming the owner to be a member
Of the Freight Handlers Union or some
thing like that.
Tommy had to stand a whole lot Of
kidding from the -cribes in the press
box, but took It all good-naturedly
Infelder Joe Leonard will report here
today, according to Manager Griffith, and
il he arrives in time, will hold down third
base
According to Ed Charity and Harry
Harper, both Of whom have seen Leonard
in action. the Nationals have grabbed of
a mighty promising ball player.
Marsans stole third base in the eighth
inning while Harry Harper held the ball.
Shanks kicked on Umpire Ollie Chilrs de-
Cision, but the play was a close one and
Chill rendered the correct verdict. Far-
per did not hustle with his throw. and
had this run eventually scored and
proved TO be the winning marker the
southpaw would only have had himself
to blame
As a pitcher Harper is still poor
fielder. and opposing clubs know this. in
variably taking advantage Of tn" young
ster when ever opportunity affords.
BY trouncing the shot-to-pieCes Atr-
.leucs yesterday. HuChcy Jennings TiSa~S
Jumped into third place. The Boston Red
SoX strengthened their hold on frst place
by defeating the Cleveland Indian with
Guy Morton pitching. while the New York
Yankees humbled the Chicago White SIX.
Yes. it begins 10 look as if those Red
SOX would once more repeat This smart
ball club has delivered the goods when il
came TO a pinch. and a smar' ball club
It's going 10 win the American l'a-.ae BEN
nant this season WILLIAM PEET.