The Washington times., 1917-03-12
GRIFFITH'S SQUAD
IN HOURS DRILL
Corporal Dean Says Athletes
Learn Rapidly in Opening
Military Workout.
SCRIBES TAKE FIELD, TOO
Joe cantiIIon Confers With Old
Fox-Johnson Attracts
Augusta Fans.
SCRIBES TAKE FIELD, TOO
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.
AUGUSTA. Ga, March 12.-Pre-
paredness hit the camp of the Griff-
men with a rush today. Corporal J.
H. Dean, in charge of the local army
recruiting station, started upon his
course of intensive military instruc-
tion, driving his squad across the ball
parry for about an hour. At the close
of the drill, the players, began their
baseball practice. The war CORES
pondents hustled for shady seats.
81 find these men particularly in
telligent," said Corporal Dean after
the drill. ''They pick up the points Of
the foot movements far quicker than
the average rookie entering the army.
The average man joining the army is
absolutely green in every way, but the
baseball players have the idea of
concentrated movement highly de-
veloped. I suppose they get that from
their game"
Show Army Stride.
1t was only the simplest movements
that Corporal Dean showed the play
ers this morning. The men were
told off in fours and shown how to
take the regulation army stride.
Marching commands were taught
them, such as oblique, to the rear,
double quick and at ease. The officer
in charge explained carefully every
command before giving 1T, and con-
siderable progress was made.
Manager Griffith has issued a gen.
eral invitation to all Augustans over
eighteen years of age to join in the
daily drill sessions and it is expected
that a number will avail themselves
L.
about marching.
ScrfBes VIII Stick.
w. II. Larry, the st. Adams, VT,
hotel owner, who has been working
out here with the Griffmen, took
part in the first days drill, and will
continue. Some of the war CORE
spondents found the going rather
rough. but all insisted they should
stick it out
Walter Johnson's first days work
out was short The big fellow, who
looks drawn and thin, was careful
of his salary arm, but he took a long
run around the park, and worked as
hard as the next in bunting practice.
1t is doubtful If he engages in any
real pitching for another week.
CantilIon In Camp.
Joe Cantillon, owner and manager
OF the Minneapolis American Asso-
citation Club and former manager of
the Washington club, took his first
peek at the Griffmen today. When
he departs for Macon to look at the
Yankees, he hopes to have one pitch
er and one outfielder promised for his
own team this spring. Cantillon ar
rfvad late last nipbf and today
closeted with Manager Griffith for
half an hour. Neither would discuss
names, but the minor league mogul
admits that he is looking for some
players.
Hopes To Find Players.
An arrangement exists between
Cantillon and Griffith by which the
Washington club assists Minneapolis
with players, having an option On any
player CantillOn may have as a re-
ward. 1t was through this arrange
ment that Mike Menoskey was OBJ
tanned as several other clubs were
after him. Cantillon has been win
tering in Minneapolis, but he is now
preparing to take his team to Kansas
for training purposes. He believes
he will pick up at least half a dozen
good players from big league clubs.
Arrives Unexpectedly.
When he lis ready to take his turn
on the mound, he will be attached
to the Recond team to give the first
team the benefit Of facing his speedy
shots. Johnson's arrival here yester-
day afternoon was absolutely unher
aided. Manager Griffith had not been
notified that the big pitcher was COM
ing, and was surprised to see him
alight from the bus in front of the
hotel
81 was in Washington for two
days" explained johnson.
al have left my wife and baby
there now, and came right down. Ny
baby is about well now, and / look
for him to get strong again" Man
ager Griffith did not expect to see
johnson until the latter part of the
week, and thought he was in Kansas.
Walter Attracts All.
The news that johnson had arrived
quickly spread around the hotel, and
he was the magnet for all eyes dur
ing the afternoon and evening. He
attracted more attention than the city
fire department
The first practice game will be
played Wednesday OF Thursday. Two
a day will be the program, once
these games get under way. The
players are beginning to lose interest
in the daily practice which lacks com
petition, but Manager Griffith does
not care 10 risk injuring any of his
regulars by overriding things so
early.
Most of the pitchers are now able
20 pitch two or three innings, with
the exception OF Harry Harper and
Walter Johnson. The soreness is rap
idly disappearing from the other
players, and all are eager for the
contests to get under way.
Sawyer at Third.
Carl Sawyer will play third base for
the second team. The Californian is
in excellent condition, and hoped
into the practice today with great
vim. Mike Moran's weak wing has
forced him of third base. He and
Crane take turns picking up the
grounders around the short field.
Moran played short for the Rose