The Washington times., 1917-03-18
Griff Will Take Action Tomor-
row or Tuesday to Avoid
Transportation Trouble.
STRIKE, NO EXHIBITIONS
Sunny South Has Done Won
ders In Conditioning Play
ers Physically.
~ LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

AUGUSTA, Ga, March 1S.-Iomor-
rev, or at the latest, Tuesday morn
tnE, will determine whether or not the
QriffmGn hike out OF this city for the
Capital to escape. being moored In
DtxislAnd by the strike of the rail-
road workers. Manager Griffith has
received q message from Ban johnson,
W1ao IL ct Haddoek, Ca, that the head
Of the league IL not familiar with the
situatien and the Old Fox IL told to
use his own judgment.
II don't went to be held here by
any strike" explains Manager Grit
nth. However, 1 have at least an
other day before making any decision.
II II looks like a general strike, which
will kill OF interest In the exhibition
games in this part OF the country, I
shall 70 home to Washington. I shall
get the clubs in Birmingham, Mem
phlS, Nashville, and Louisville on the
telephone and obtain their permission
70 quit.
All Up to Griff.
'Tf the strike doesn't last 1t will be
simple for me to jump my club to
Cincinnati from Washington for what
ever games have scheduled there
before the campaign gets under way.
Mr.. johnson puts II all UP to me and
I'll take care OF the situation"
Without q strike Of the railroad
workers driving the Griffmen home.
they will break camp here Thursday
night, the frst team going to Bir-
mingham and the second team start
ing home by way OF the CaroIinas and
Virginia With the exception of the
pitchers, every player Is In good shape
to - T,, Ill
the I'VE years at Charlottesville never
were the players in such good condi-
ton as they are now.
Players Are Ready.
TIE tropical weGther has worked
wonders In their health. They are
ready for real baseball. Perhaps they
could not do justice against curve
ball pitching, but, on the other hand,
few pitchers are now able to throw
curves Washington fans may be as
sured OF at least one thing-the play
ers win be ready for the sound of the
bell
Bert GalIia has q slight attack of
grip, and may be allowed to rest for
q day or so. Joe Leonard is about
ready to take his place in the lineup.
and so only Harry Harper and George
Dumont are classed as cripples,
though one or two other pitchers are
carrying lame or sore arms.
Dean Expects Transfer.
Corporal J. H. Dean says that he
believes the War Department will
grant him permission to accompany
the Griffmen. all summer in the ca
pacity of drfIlmaster.
81 understand that the adjutant gen.
&c flry IN fo ~
says Dean, land I'd like nothing bet
ter. 1 think can bring the Washing
ton team up to the highest notch OF
efficiency, II given q chance to work
with them every day for six months.
'In the army 1t takes a rookie at
least q month to learn what the play
erS have picked up in a week. In the
army the rockies are drilled five
hours q day, while have had these
man only one hour a day. I wish the
average rookie were as good as the
average ball player. II war comes,
I'm sure that our ball players will
make ideal soldiers. They have the
physique and they have the necessary
brains"
AUGUSTA, Ga. March 1s.-Drizzl-
ing rain prevented the morning
workout yesterday, but in the az
ternoon players took their hours drill
and then played a ball game, the
second team winning, 9 to 2. 1t was
anything but q good day for baseball,
stif, cold breeEes swinging across
the field and rain threatening every
minute.
Charlie Jameson was the particular
victim of the Yannigans. His lame wing
Handicapped him and his slow balls
were hammered to the far corners Of the
field Plenty Of life and aggressiveness
were displayed by both teams and Man
aver Griffith was well satisfied when
the contest ended.
Ten days OF practice for the entire
squad has decided the lineup which will
start the season, with the exception Of
the pitchers. The same team that fin
jshed in 1915 campaign will take the
field next month. The lone doubtful
place Is first base, which may be COW
cred by both shanks and Judge. until
one or the other fades away. Foster.
Mcbride, Leonard. Smith. Zeb Milan
and Sam Rice are sure OF their berths.
Just what pitchers will be dropped re-
mains q puzzle, as several are in poor
condition, especially Dumont. Harper,
Jameson. Craft and Gallia. Harper
and GAllia are certain to be- carried by
Manager Griffith. but the fate Of the
others is in doubt
Jim Shaw IL making a good impress
sion, and he may be used as a regular
when the season opens. He is work
ing hard, evidently trying his best to
keep from dropping back to Mime
apolis.
Ayers is taking his time, using
very little speed, but is in fine shape,
and probably could pitch a whole
game IL occasion demanded.
johnson may be found on the hill
lock tomorrow. The big fellow is
about ready to pitch three innings.
He warmed up yesterday on the rub
Der with AInsmith, and looked like
eight billions OF iron men. The small
crowd Of fans marveled at the speed,
yet he was only lobbing the ball over
the platter
The score by innings of yesterday
afternoons game:
r II. E.