Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-23
MACKMEN READY
FOR OPENING OF
BOSTON SERIES
Harry Davis Will Work
Three Pitchers in First
Brave Game
NATIONALS HAVE EDGE
BY CHANDLER u. RICHTER

by CHANDLEk ~. klCh Els
MIAMI, Fla. March 23-The Athletics
regulars arrived here this morning ready
for the opening game Of the series with
the Boston Braves, who are looked upon
as the favorite in the National League
race this season. The Mackmen have
had but one game in preparation for this
series, and barring the battery men. none
OF the Athletics have been training for
more than three days Therefore 1t is
not likely that the Mackmen will upset
the dope by trimming Stallings team.
For the first contest Of the series with
the Braves Harry Davis, who is handling
the regulars while Manager Mack looks
after the Yangans in Jacksonville. in.
tends to use three pitchers, working each
man three innings This program will
be followed for three days. as Davis does
not believe the pitchers are I'm good
enough trim to stand more than three
innings at the present time Joe Bush
probably will start the game He will
be relieved by Crowell after three innings
and Tom Shechan will work the last three
sessions.
These three hurlers appear to be far
ahead of the rest Of the squad as far as
condition is concerned. though Crowel1
probably will not be permitted TO use any
curve balls The big collcginn is still
troubled with a lame back, which pains
him when he snaps Il curve but does not
Interfere with fast ball pitching As
Crowel has as fine fast ball as one
would care to sec at this time of the year,
Acting Manager Davis believes that he
will trouble the Braves.
Players Look Good
Chief Myers, Jack Nabors and Bill Nor.
riscttc pitched against Ft Pierce All
appeared TO have plenty Of stuff" but
al
get line on their real ability. Myers
looked the best of the trio and appears
to be rounding into form much sooner
than expected.
Manager StallinEs of the Braves has not
decided whom he will use against the Mack
men. but it Is safe to predict that whoever
goes to the mound is going To- bother
Davis men. The Athletics have had such
small amount of batting practice and
virtually none against curve ball pitch.
ing, that the Boston hurlers, who have
been hooking the ball for three weeks, are
likely TO have the MaCkmcn at their mercy
for the series in this city.
Perhaps when the teams meet again In
Jacksonville next week the Boston pitch
ers will find the Mackmen a hardhitting
aggregation. Davis has decided to use
Pick, the Richmond recruit as lead off
for present with Rube Oldring following
him McInnis, Thompson. Malone, Walsh
Crane and the battery men will follow in
order. There is n lot of natural hitting
ability in this lineup. or rather there will
be after the men have had more prac-
tice, but 1t looks very much as If one or
two men who can club aud run are
needed.
Macks Win First
The first game of the season resulted in
victory for the Athletics, but when one
considers the work of their opponents not
much credit is due. The Fort Pierce team
was little better than the average inde-
pendent club of Philadelphia although it's
three hurcrs appeared to have fair abil.
ity. The final score of Q to shows just
how hard the Mackmen walloped the ball.
The fielding of Mack's reconstructed
team was the most encouraging feature
OF the contest However, Malone. who Is
battling Larry Lajoie for the seCond-bGse
position, made several brilliant plays and
also pulled off two pieces of heady inside
stuff on the youngsters. Behind the bat
Bin Meyers the Davenport youngsters
gave brilliant exhibition. lie caught
one foul fly off the grandstand and picked
another out Of the crowd almost directly
opposite third base. lie also handled
low.bounding throw to the plate in time
to stop Il tally
"Stuffy" AIcTnnis robbed Frank Nc
NichOl out of Il double with great one
handed catch Of line drive and took
several low throws in great style. "Shag"
Thompson also robbed McNichol of hit
with a great running catch in deep right
centre. He made two or three other fine
plays. Incidentally, Thompson drew four
bases on balls and made two doubles and
a single out of seven trips to the plate
The game was scheduled at the request
Of State Senator James i. McNichol and
-. AI.A tgl,E
wants Mack to bring the team to Fort
Pierce for three days next spring, and
Harry Davis has promised that it will
be done.