The Washington times., 1917-04-05
WAR NOT LIKELY
TO TAKE PLAYERS
Exceed Age Limit for First Con-
scription and Most Are Mar
ried, Says Griff.
OLD FOX PROTECTS COBB
"Ty a Victim of Typical Giant
Tactics" Is the Way He
Judges Case.
BY LOUIS A. DOU6HER.


. 81 hardly look for major league
baseball to be affected to any great
extent by a declaration OF war against
Germany" said Manager Griffith to-
day, "either from an attendance view
point or from conscription, but when
ever they want our players, we are
ready to cooperate with the Govern
ment in every way.
"The average major Lacquer Is mar
ried and the father of at least one
child. This would automatically keep
him from being called out in the
first rush to the 'front.' Then, too,
the average major Lacquer is around
twenty-five or twenty-six years old,
which is older than the first men
taken for military must be.
However, 1 want II distinctly un-
derstood that the professional base
@ ball players are not lacking in patriot
ism. II the call comes, and they can
be used, they will be there
"As for major league baseball, even
IL 1t loses some players who join the
colors, others will be found to replace
them, and the schedule will be play
ed through"
GrIff Supports Cobb.
Manager Griffith is inclined to sup
port Ty Cobb in his fuss with Charlie
HerzoE, the Giants captain and sec
ond baseman.
cobb is not q bad fellow, Eek
plains Griff. 81 think he has been
victim Of typical Giant tactics. As for
Herzog, he has always been NUT
riding every player OF the other teams
he has played. He tried to pull some
: of this McGraw stuff and got what
has been coming to him for years
Everybody in Cincinnati knows
what a nut Herzog is. There is no
sympathy there for him. Cobb may
have let his temper run away from
him, but that can be excused when 1t
is recalled that rough tactics, even
to permanently injuring opponents,
has always been a part of the Giants
system of playing ball l am for
Cobb in this trouble"
Acosta Fails to Arrive.
Merito Acosta failed to arrive to-
day in time for the morning practice.
Indeed, contrary to reports, he has
not communicated with Manager
Griffith since asking for transporta-
tion some time ago.
One practice session was held to-
. day, but the military drill was not
part of the workout owing to the
drizzly weather. Tomorrow, how
ever, the players will begin their ex-
tended order tactics under Corporal
Dean, who has arrived from Augusta,
Ga
Tonight the first team leaves for
Norfolk, Va, where tomorrow the
Phfllies will be played. Manager
Griffith is not expected to accompany
ATnpridn hafnO in
charge of it.
VIII Retain Judge.
Joe Judge will be retained by the
Griffmen, at least until some first
baseman better than he is can be
found. He is not booked for release
to any minor league.
AZ have no intention of letting Joe
CO." said Manager Griffith today.
"He may come through. as l thought
he would last year. II he does,
want to have him on my ball club.
He is young and intelligent. He
should overcome a few weaknesses
he now has and be big league star.
There is nothing to that dream
that he is going to Baltimore. He
will stay with me-"
Directors Elect Officers.
Having nothing else to do on a
dull afternoon, the directors of the
Washington club held a meeting yes
terday and elected club officers for
the 1917 season. No change has been
made, despite rumors flying around
last fall.
The personnel of the club follows:
BENJAMIN S. Minor, president; Ru-
dolph Kaufman, vice president: Ed
ward J. Walsh, secretary, and w.
Hartman Rapley, treasurer. These
four officials, with Clark c. Griffith,
Michael T. Keane, and Thornton c.
Chesley, form the board of directors.
Moran VIII Report.
Mike Moran, the Washington sand
lot inflelder, will report to the Au-
gusta Sally Leaguers whenever he
receives the order. He expected to
leave today or tomorrow, but the iil- !
ness of his mother here has kept him
IN town.
During the training season Moran
made a most favorable impression
upon President Kalbfleisch, of the
Augusta club, by his hard hitting.
His arm was sore, interfering with
his throwing, but he stuck gamely to
his task and landed berth. He has
now recovered the use of his wing
and expects to play such good ball
at Augusta as to attract the attep-
tion of big league scouts.