The Washington times., 1917-02-05
Griffmen's InfieIder Training in
Baltimore Gymnasium,
He Writes Boss.
MAY CALL OFF WARFARE
Dave FuItz Sees Signs in Skies
and Players May Be Order
ed to Sign.
BY LOUIS A. DoUGHER-

Ray Morgan has already begun
working out at Baltimore for the
coming American League campaign.
Therefore, IL is not expected that he
will Join the little squad Of Griffmen
who will this week report to Mike
Martin for training stunts at the
"Y" gym on C street.
81 received a letter from Morgan
today" announces Manager Griffith,
"and he says that he has already be-
gun training in a gymnasium near
his home. In that case he should be
in good shpae for the sound Of the
bell"
MorEan's future as a Griffman de-
pends wholly upon his physical con-
dition. If he is ready to play, he will
probably remain as utility man, II
not traded during the New York
meeting.
II he fails OF keep in condition, he
may be turned over to some minor
league. This latter phase is not ex-
pected.
May Call OFF War
Dave FultZ, seeing the signs IN the
heavens, may call off all baseball
hostiIities, II open war breaks out
between the United States and Ger
many. He Is keeping in close touch
with tne more prominent members
of the fraternity and this action is
looked for.
Getting in ahead of the players,
many magnates promise to shave
down expenses to the bone in' case
the United States is involved in a
foreign war. One of these magnates
is Harry Hampstead, owner of the
New York Giants. He says he Is
willing to lower the player limit to
eighteen instead of twenty-five, the
present legal limit
May All BE Chopped.
American League clubs are now
allowed to carry twenty-five players
during the playing season, but they
will probably be cut down appreci-
ably. il war comes to this country.
The Griffmen might very well sur
vive if they had no more than twenty.
At several times within the past five
years they have numbered no more
active service.
When Jimmy Mckleer was conduct
ing the team in 1911, he started on
p Western tour once with only fif-
teen players. He WGS greatly handi-
capped, to be sure, but only because
his opponents were more numerous.
II all clubs are cut .own, none will
suffer.
Martin In Command.
Mike Martin will this week take
command of the Washington contin-
gent, starting them on the road to
physical perfection on the handball
courts Of the Y. VI. c. A.
Eddie Foster and Jim Shaw will
need some work to take off extra
weight, added since the close of the
1916 season. but Eddie Ainsmith
needs only the Iightest exercise to fit
him for the practice sessions at Au-
gusta, Ga.
Playing handbsIl at top speed is a
strenuous sport and both Shaw and
Foster shoUI- benefit before going
South.
Goes To Alexandria.
Manager Griffith goes to AIeXan-
dria Wednesday night to be princi-
pal guest OF the Cardinal A. c.. which
will hold its fifth annual banquet
and reception at the Hotel Rammel
Mayor Fisher will preside at the ban
quet, as he always has in the past.
The Cardinals. Alexandria's pride,
instituted this custom Of banquetinS
Manager Griffith in 1912, showing
their regard fo- the man who put
Washington on the baseball map"
Tonight the Old Fox vii journey
over to Clarendon. Va. to address 4
smoker OF the alexandria County Ath-
lctic Association. at Follansbee's hall.
This viii be his initial appearance in
Clarendon, but the champions of
Northern Virginia threaten to make
their smoker an annual affair and so
Griff may he seen there again
Prepare for Series.
President Barrow. OF the Interna-
tionaI League. and President Hickey,
of the American Association, will con
fer this week in Buffalo, n. y, plan
ming for the coming interleaRue
series between their respective organ
izstions. The series will begin on
August Z in the various cities of the
American Association.
Next week the International
League will meet in Newark, =. j.,
and adopt a schedule for its own reg
uIar campaign and also for the series
with the American Association. Con
tracts will then be forwarded TO play
Crs.
The annual schedule meeting Of the
major leagues will be held in New
York next week, the National League
making it's headquarters at the Wal
dorf and the Johnsonians at the
Wolcott.