Evening star., 1917-03-06
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
AUGUSTA, Ga, March 6.-Weather
conditions for the training Of the bat
terry candidates of the Washington ball
club were much better today than at
any time since the squad arrived. The
sun was on the job bright and early,
and the warmth of its rays could be
felt, despite the rather low mark Of 3S
at which the thermometer stood when
the crowd started for the ball park.
The temperature today is just about
what it was yesterday, but the fact
that there Is but little or no wind makes
it more comfortable for the athletes
1t grew warmer as the day wore on.
and by the time the boys got out for
the afternoon workout something
like real base ball weather was in evil
dence.
Bert Gallia arrived this morning from
Washington. where he viewed part OF the
inaugural parade with his bride OF a
week. who will stay in the capital until
was due at 9:o5 o'clock and got here at
that time, establishing something Of a
record for these parts. The pitcher says
he put in most of the winter hunting
is in good physical shape.
After breakfasting at the hotel Gallia
journeyed out to the ball park and
greeted his teammates. but did not get
into uniform until the afternoon session.
Before work started this morning the
boys were lined up for a group photo
graph The swapping of the pictures
was delayed somewhat by Jim Shaw,
who jockeyed around for position
that would insure his full outline ap-
pearing for the benefit of an admiring
public when the picture is published in
the papers; After the picture taking
had been done to Shaw's entire satis-
faction the boys were turned loose for
what proved to be the snappiest work.
out indulged in thus far. In addition to
the warmlng-up of the pitchers and
fielding of bunts Mike Martin gave Nc
Bride and the catchers Ainsmith, Char
rity and Henry. some batting practice
assigning Thomas, Jameson, Duront
and Shaw to do most of the pitching.
The others were ranged in the outfield
to retrieve the drives of Mac" and the
backstops
George Dumont. whose newly erected
home In Minneapolis was burned to the
ground shortly before he left there to
come to camp. resents the impression
existing in some quarters that he is not
a nine inning" pitcher Dumont admits
he was lacking in stamina last season,
when he was in poor health most of the
and declares he will demonstrate be-
fore the exhibition schedule is finished
that he can go as far and still retain
his stuff" as any twirler in the squad.
According to Angel Aragon, the Cuban
infielder of the New York Americans,
who are training at Macon, Ga, Merito
Acosta, the fielder of the Washingtons,
probably will report next week. Young
Acosta is not with the insurgents, ac-
cording to Aragon. who, when inter-
viewed on the subject at the behest of the
writer by one of the scribes with the
Yankees, said: Tell Mr.. Griffith that
Acosta will be here next week"
Gallia met Jack Bentley in Washington
and says Bentley told him he had signed
to play with the Baltimore Internationals
Bentley baked at the figures in the con-
tract originally offered him. but was won
over when Manager Dunn increased his
salary s110 a month and agreed to give
him half of the purchase price in case
Bentley is sold. Joe Cantillon. manager
of the Minneapolis club of the Ameri-
can Association, is due here today or
tomorrow. The former Washington pilot
is coming to look over Griffith's young
sters to see what men he can get for
his team this year.
Despite the wintry blasts which
swept over the field yesterday two
highly beneficial workouts were in
dulged in by the players, the afternoon