The Washington times., 1917-03-04
CANTTLLON AFTER
GRIFF'S PITCHERS
George Dumont Tips Players
Minneapolis Manager Is
Hunting Them.
MCBRIDE Is DUE TODAY
Nationals Field Captain Gets
Into Action Early This
Season.
MCBRIDE is DUE TODAY

AUGUSTA, Ga, March 4.-Uneasi-
ness has already struck the camp OF
the Grifmen. It has been discovered
that Joe Cantillon, manager Of the
Minneapolis club, which enjoys most
friendly relations with the Washing
ton club, is coming here next week
to look over the bunch. At least
three of the pitchers here believe
they Will be chosen by Cantillon for
service this season with the Miilers.
"Joe told me that he would arrive
the same day Griff gets here" is the
explanation of George Dumont, who
lives in Minneapolis, and who spoke
to CantiIlon the day before he left
for this city. Let him come. I'm
going to show Griff enough stun this
spring to settle once for all where
pitch this summer"
Menoskey obtained.
The Griftmen have obtained Mike
p Menoskey, the young outielder from
CantiIlon's club, and some payment
in players must be made before the
deal goes through. Merito Acosta
NAV be delayed in Cuba, pending
settlement of the present rebellion, In
(which his father has played a lead
ing part Jack Bentley and Dumont
have also been taken away from Min
neapoIis, and Manager Griffith has
been asked by Cantillon to recon-
pense him for these players
II is unlikely that Griffith will re-
tain more than eight of his present
corps of twirlers. The others Will be
placed with various clubs in need OF
them and some are bound to be lined
up in Minneapolis uniforms before
many weeks.
Mcbride Ii Due.
George Mcbride is due here tonight
or tomorrow. according to post
card from him received by John
Henry. Mcbride is now at Hot
Springs, Ark, getting in a few eaZly
licks at the training stunt. Mac ap-
parently is not going to let Sam
Crane run away with that job In the
shortheld. He is going to make him
fight for the regulars berth on the
ball club.
Mcbride has not been to Hot
Springs since 1912. That spring, with
Zeb- Milan, Walter johnson, Dixie
Walker, and Herman Schaefer, he put
n about three weeks at the springs,
getting into playing condition. Since
that time he has always come direct
from his home in Milwaukee to WASH
ington. This year, realizing that he
will have to deliver the real goods
from the opening day, he is now at
Hot Springs and should show up here
in wonderful shape.
Begins Curving Ball.
Claude Thomas is not letting any
grass grow under his feet. The Okla
homa southpaw began throwing
hooks yesterday afternoon, SO delight
ed at the sight of the sun. John
Henry had to shoe him of the field,
fearing injury to his twirling wing.
''Mr. Griffith told me to practice
my splitter during the winter" says
Thomas. "Well, I've done that, and
I've also tried some hooks. Ny arm
is now strong enough to stand
couple Of innings. l count on max
ing a good showing early. II fail
I'll have to drift back to the minors,
but / want to know it as early as
possible"
Thomas is the first of the SQUAD to
try curving the ball, though one or
two OF the others have already tried
burning them into the three back
stops. Shaw seems to have plenty of
speed, and so has Ed Flaherty, the
Washington sandlotter, destined for
the Des Moines club as soon as the
latter OUTFIT goes to work.
Players Try Bunting.
Cheered by the sight of the pale.
watery sun, Manager Henry tried a
little bunting practice yesterday aft
ernoon. The players were kept at this
,back-breaking exercise until they
were ready to call quits Fully
twenty minutes was spent fielding
bunts, and then the entire squad was
sent around the ball yard, and the
days work was ended.
Today the boys were allowed to re.
main beneath the covers just as long
as they wished, and not more than
two or three were on deck at 7:30, the
regular calling time. 1t was, indeed.
a day of rest, for most OF them are
suffering from stiffened muscles in
their legs and backs.
VIII Fine Late Ones.
Beginning tomorrow fines will be
imposed by Manager Henry upon all
those not appearing in the dining
room by s o'clock. The betting today
is that Jim Shaw or Doc Ayres will
draw the first fine.
According TO the weather forecaster
here, hot days are due this week
This news is most welcome to the ath-
letes, though no complaints have yet
been heard concerning the two rainy,
drizzling days spent at the ball yard.
But they are all anxious for the sun
TO come out in earnest and allow some
real baseball.
The diamond here is even better
than that at Charlottesville. It soaks
up moisture like a sponge. and little
time will be wasted by players here
because OF wet grounds. An hours
wind dries up the field, even after q
heavy rain.