The Washington times., 1917-03-23
REGULARS Are at Birmingham
and Yannigans at Whining
ton, N. C.
MINES ARE BITTER RIVALS
Regulars Anxious to Win Game
to Prevent Criticism of
Morgan's Rockies.
Rr LOUIS 4. pOOGHER.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, March 23.--
The 1917 exhibition season for the
Grinmen is due to begin here today
against the Barons, of the Southern
League. The players are particularly
anxious to hang up q string OF victories
in order to shut OF criticism from
the Yannigans, who open their series In
Wilmington, N. c., today. Rivalry OF
the bitterest type exists between these
two teams. Ray Morean has wagered
a hat with the Old Fox that the Sec
ond team won't lose q ball game on
the way home.
Tonight the Griffs leave for Mem
phis, playing the Southern Leaguers
tomorrow and the Cincinnati Reds on
Sunday. Walter johnson will pitch
three or four frames against Matty's
team in Memphis, according to the
present arrangements.
VIII start Grirs Team.
The team now under Manager Grif-
nth, barring a few pitchers, will be
depended upon to start the American
League campaign. The Old Fox Is
convinced that not one Of his regu-
lars can be ousted by any Of the rook-
les seen in Augusta Whether or not
Sam Crane will be retained is known
only to. the boss, but the betting Is
that he won't. Cranes wfak hitting,
together with his poor health, has
kept him back, and he may yet be
found with Minneapolis IL not sent
back to Baltimore. At any rate, he
- II yfro with the
Washington club this season.
The Washington players, who had
made many friends in Augusta, were
really sorry to leave the pretty little
Georgia city yesterday. The rockies
left in the afternoon under command
of Morgan. The first team departed
at $50 last night for this city. Presi-
dent Kalbf1eisch, of the Augusta club,
paid his final respects to Manager
Griffith and expressed his earnest
hope that the big leaguers would re-
turn next spring.
Played Fourteen Games.
Fourteen practice games were
played at Augusta The second team,
which usually displayed more pepper
than their opponents. hung up eight
victories. The first team won five
games and one was tied.
Owing to the mediocre pitching on
both sides, little can be said of the
hitting, but the best fielding was
shown by Mcbride, Crane, Smith, and
Horace Milan. Menoskey, Smith, and
Horace Milan showed the best throw
ing wings among the gardeners. All
three catchers looked good.
The best pitching was shown by
Humphreys, Thomas, Shaw, and
Craft. The midget Humphreys has
done excellent work and II he goes
back to the minors it will be largely
because OF his lack of bulk. He has
good control, plenty OF speed and
curves and can field his position; all
in all, he is the hest Of the new per-
formers.
Has Ten Battles.
Counting today's contest with the
Barons, the Griffmen will play ter
games before again seeing the White
Dome of the Capitol. Six of these
will be against Cincinnati and tht
Old Fox expects to reach his fina
decisions as to his pitchers by theil
performances against the Reds. Thi.
applies especially to Shaw, Craft, anC
Dumont.
A large crowd saw the final prac.
tice skirmish at Augusta yesterday
The fans expected to see johnson
pitching, but the big fellow laid off
In his stead Flaherity toiled will
fair success. The second team cop
ped the victory, 4 to 3. Humphrey
was in fine condition, allowing tn,
regulars four hits for one run in foul
frames. Flaherity's wildness CAV,
them their other two.
Craft was spanked for three hits
and as many tallies in the second ses
sion, and the deciding run was mad,
by Menoskey, who tripled an dstoIt
home while Thomas was holding tn,
ball.
Henry. Zeb Milan, and Rice offered
the heaviest stickwork of a rather
light total.