The Washington herald., 1917-03-10
Big Southpaw Was Hit by
Batted Ball During Clos
ing Series Last Season.
By JOHN A. DUGAN.

Augusta, Ca, March s.-Clark Griffith
not know whether to frown or smile.
The "oid Fox" Is greatly pleased with
the progress the young pitchers have
made to date, but a severe setback was
handed him and Washington fandom
after the evening practice today when
Harry Harper, the big southpaw, an
nounced that his costly left wing was
giving him a great deal of trouble.
Washington. fans will remember we'll
that Harper was hit on his left shoulder
during the closing week Of last season
by q line drive from Veach's bat during
the final Detroit series. Although no
| bones were broken this blow gave Har-
per a great deal Of trouble.
Harper, when he reported, claimed
that he had felt no trouble from his arm
during the winter months. But Trainer
Martin insisted that he take things
along slowly until the Old Fox arrived.
Although Griff is making every at
tempt to smile it can easily be seen that
, he is worried over Harper's condition as
the loss Of this star left-hander to the
Nationals would mean a big setback for
them during the coming campaign. Be-
cause of this soreness Of his arm Har-
per was excused from heaving them in
from the pitching slab today.
Sammy Rice was the first of the Ma
tionals to be injured at the training
camp. Sammy put on too much steam
going after fly ball this afternoon and
twisted his ankle, although his injury is
not one that will keep him out of the
workouts tomorrow.
Howard Shanks went at too fast a clip
during the afternoon drill and was taken
sick Trainer Martin. with his pepper
q 0H oil haI
chant on his feet
No word has been received At Camp
Albion at a late hour tonight in reference
to the appointment of the army sergeant
by the War Department to carry out
Capt. Til Huston's idea Of military
preparedness for major league ball clubs
"If my club does not obtain results
from training here I will be greatly dis
appointed and mistaken, as everything is
Just tdeal to put the boys in shape for
the campaign" This statement was the
outburst Of enthusiasm Of the "Old Fox"
at Camp Albion tonight, after the players
had been driven through two lengthy
practices.
With the division of the squad into
two sections and with the "Old Fox on
hand to direct their movements. Camp
Albion and Sally League Park today were
the scenes Of a great amount Of activi-
ties.
Grin smilingly hustled out his young
sters for the morning workout, and when
he finally called a halt on the proceed
ings a sigh Of relief could be heard. while
he carried the regulars at even a faster
clip during the afternoon, and It was
early to bed. without orders. for most of
these tired-out players tonight.
The day was made to order for spr,np
training. as the sun was shining stronger
than 1t has to date, and It did not take
many minutes for the boys to work I'D
a sweat. During the morning practice
the youngsters were anxious to show the
old Fox" something. and time and
again they would buzz them over. only
to get call from Teacher" Grin was
enthusiastic over the progress Uncle Nick
Altrock and Trainer Mike Martin had
made with the pitchers, as they came
through with more speed and curves than
he had expected.
Warming up. fielding bunta batting
and fielding practice were on the card
at both workouts. At the morning prac-
tice Doc" Ayres was given the first call
for the mound duty, while he was fol-
lowed by Eddie F1aherty, JIMMY Shaw
and Humphreys.
Harry Harper. who is one Of the slab
men for the Yannigans, was not allowed
to work because Griff Is not vet sat
lsfed with his condition, but Trainer
Martin thinks that he will be called
upon either tomorrow evening or Mon
day.
Players Charity, Morgan and Harry
Harper are the only ones carrying anv
poundage over their required limit, and
the "Old Fox" ordered them to the even
Ing practice. as he insists that these
Fat boys" must be ready by We'd
nesday when the inter-club games are
scheduled to start
The in-field Of the Yannigans was made
up Of Joe Judge at first base, Raw Nor
gan at second. Moran at third and Sam
my Crane at the short field. while H
Milan. Berry and Menoskey played the
center gardens.
The "old Fox" got his first slant at
Sammy Crane in action during the morn
ing practice and the former International
Lacquer sure made good on all the stories
that have been printed about his being
a wonderful fielder. Crane covered the
short field like real veteran and had
no trouble in shooting the ball to anv
Of the bags from any position. Crane
Is slightly under weight, as he has iust
recovered from an attack of la rr,pne
but even under these conditions he ha,