The Washington herald., 1917-03-21
Rumor Has 1t That Three
Players Are to Be Sent
to Minneapolis.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.

AuBuStd, ia, MarCn Hu-AltLOuSu nhdh-
ager' Griffith. of the Nationals. stated
tonight that he would not make fur
Their cut in his squad until after the gong
had sounded to send the team into the
American League race. the tip was hand
ed out that Mollie Craft, Charlie Hum
phries and Mike Moran would feel the
swing OF the axe.
Craft was obtained last season from
the Norfolk Club, of the virginia League.
and during the closing days Of the 1916
campaign he served a few innings on
the mound for the Griffmen. Craft is
a rangy youngster, well over six feet.
with plenty of weight, and has all the
requirements to make a good pitcher,
but he lacks the experience and unless
he comes like a house anre the Old
Fox will no doubt shoot him OF to his
farm at Minneapolis.
Craft will be given plenty Of oppor-
tunity this spring to show his wares
as the Old Fox is figuring on taking
him on the transforming trip with the
Regulars so as to pit him against some
real class when the veterans are hit
ting the homeward trail by the way of
Memphis and Cincinnati Much depends
on what the Norfolk youngster shows
on this trip whether he will be 'Minneap-
olis-bound." but it is sure fact II Grifr
let's Cantillon have this lanky curve-hurl
er that he will be q fifty percent better
pitcher next fall when the recall is is
sued.
Charlie Humphreys has always been
something of a pet of the Old Fox's ever
since he Joined the team at the training
camp in Charlottesville last March.
HUMPHREYS is a little southpaw with ev-
erything that a good southpaw needs but
the weight. To date the Georgian has
shown more on his side-wheel twisters
than any other lift-winged artist in camp
but because of his weight and height he
does not appear to be able to stand the
gafr which is required of pitchers under
the big tent and will no doubt be handed
to pal Joe" with the recall string at
tached to him.
HUMPHREYS has asked the Old Fox not
to send him back to the Richmond Club.
because of his trouble with that Interna-
tional League outfit last season, and
would prefer going to Minneapolis as ne
states that he will quit the game before
working again under Billy Smith in the
Dixie city.
Grif will cut lose one Of his left-hand-
ers and 1t appears that Lefty Claude
Thomas has to date been given the call
over Hum phries. because the Des Moines
bearcat is a spitbalI pitcher and has
shown a lot of stun In the inter-club
games in which he has worked.
Charlie Jameson will be carried as a
general all-round ability, both on the
pitching mound and in the outfield.
Sandlot baseball in the national capital
Is being handed big boost in Augusta
because of the showing that Mike Moran
and Eddie Flaherty have made to date. +
Moran Is the apple of Cantillon's eye as
he has been driving the horsehide/ to all
corners of the ball yard and when he has
not obtained hits he has sent outfielders
q tlra
nelders dig hard to gather his scorchers
out OF tire dirt. Moran is sure Of landing
with the Minneapolis club as the veteran
pilot has taken a bigger interest in his
work than any other player in the SQUAD
Grimth has not yet closed the deal to
send F1aherty to the Des Moines club,
ana the big Washington youngster may
never see the Western League city, as
Cantillon Is worrying Grifith for his
services and the old Fox may shift at any
time and pay Frank Isbell cash for the
purchase of Claude Thomas
Camp Albion during the past few DAYS
talks Of nothing but road trips and drill
ing, as the boys have taken a great deal
Of interest In Corporal Deans instruc-
lions and many an argument and bet has
been laid on what are the right move
ments. The little corporal yesterday
received orders from Captain Heidi. AT
the recruiting station at Atlanta to Join
the squads in Washington on April 8,
where the drilling will be continued un-
til the date Of the competitive drill for
the various clubs in Chicago.
John Henry, who injured his hand in
the game on Saturday was back behind
the bat today and showed no I'll effects
from the bruise that he received Harry
Harper is now the only member of the
squad on the injured list, but the Hack
ensack southpaw is confident that his arm
Will be In shape to buzz them through
when the Old Fox issues the orders