The Washington times., 1917-04-03
SAM RICE TOPLAY
RIGHT FIELD TODAY
Griff's Switch of SWatSman In
dicateS He Has Failed as
First SaCker.
JUDGE OR SHANKS ON FIRST
Old Fox Plans Shake-up to De-
veIop Stronger Hitting
Combination.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

That Sam Rice has failed as first
baseman seems probable after the
action Of Manager Griffith today in
putting him back in right field, ac-
cording 7 to before-game dope an
nounced from the Griffmen's office.
81 expect to have Rice in right
held," was the word of the Old Fox
this noon, with either Judge or
Shanks on first base"
Manager Griffith declined to speak
further about the shift.
Sam Rice, willing as ever, has said
several timns that he would be taken
off first base only when his manager
considered he had failed as fielder.
Rice played several games with
sore hand. He has all the nerve in
the world and nothing but failure in
a strange position can keep him on
the first corner.
Changes Are Coming.
Many changes are coming to the
lineup of the Griffmen before the
season has advanced far. Manager
Griffith wants to give his team all
the offensive power possible. 1t Is
probable that in a few days Joe Leon
ard, who has not been hitting well,
will be supplanted by Eddie Foster
and that Ray Morgan. will go back to
second base.
Morgan s apparently aiheayier hitter
than Leonard, while Foster Is better
fielder than either Of them. Grin Is
seeking to bolster his inield as well as
his outfield, and several more changes
are coming.
Sam Crane is a clever fielder. II he
can begin to show signs Of hitting
strength. he will be placed at shortstop,
for Mcbride Is not hitting the ball very
hard, though fielding in wonderful fash
ion.
Has Plenty Of Time.
The Old Fox has plenty of time TO ex-
pertinent with his team before the sea-
son gets under way. A whole week must
onsue before the curtain is rolled up on
the big show performances. In that
time Manager Griffith will endeavor TO
find his strongest lineup, knowing that
the competition will be strenuous from
the very beginning.
81 know what need most" said Man
ager Griffith today. my team needs
hitting TO be in the fight for the pen
things, too, but hitting is the most vital
thing it requires. Every change 1 shall
make for a while will be to increase the
offensive strength Of the team"
e Everybody Is Broke.
1t was a sad arrival Of the Grifmen
today. The train rolled into the Union
Station at $40, though due at Z o'clock.
Something happened to the engine. or
rather one OF the two engines, shortly
after leaving Cincinnati, and the time
lost was never picked up.
High-priced hotels ruined the finan-
cial piles OF every one in the party.
The club this spring picked out the
best hotels on the road and the play
GERS, drawing no salaries, suffered ac-
cordingIy. Laundry bills were heay-
fer than usual. Tips were needed on
every side, and by the time the boys
reached Cincinnati. they were cleaned.
The failure to play the last two
games in Redland kept Eddie Fowler
from collecting any money and 1t was
a Eight" crowd that emerged from
their private cars this morning at the
Union Station.
Held Practice Early.
1t was Manager Griffth's intention
to hold a morning practice at 10
O'Clock, but the late arrival killed that
scheme. So the Old Fox ordered every
player to be in uniform at 1 o'clock
this afternoon for practice.
Up to noon Corp. J. II. Dean had not
reported TO Manager Griffith.
IF he doesn't show up today, ]
shall send for him." said the Old Fox.
Il am for this military drill first. last,
and always. The country faces a
crisis and it will find every baseball
player loyal to the core"