The Washington times., 1917-04-17
RED SOX SLACKERS,
SAYYANK PLAYERS
Champions Decline to Have
Anything to Do With Mill
tary Drills.
NO DRILL MASTER NAMED
National Leaguers Have Failed
to Take Up Most Necessary
Preparation.
NO DRILL MASTER NAMED
By LOUIS A. DoUGHER-

NEW YORK, April 1.-THE worlds
champion Boston Red Sox, according
to the Yankees, are "slackers," de-
clining to have anything to do with
Captain Huston's system of military
drill, indorsed by both big leagues,
practiced by the American, and forgot
ten by the National. If the Yankees
are right, the Red Sox should be COM
PEELED by Ban Johnson to do what all
the other clubs In the league are
doing, showing the way to the coun-
try in the matter OF proper patriotism
IN a time of national trouble.
Several of the Red Sox are said to
have informed the Yankees, the latter
passing the word on to the Grtnmen,
that no drill master was appointed
fsS the Red Sox, and so the club has
done nothing along this line. Fur
thermore, Harry Frazee IL said TO be
lukewarm In his support Of the daily
drills for ball players.
II this be true, American League
fans should not fail to show their dis
approval OF the Red Sox. But before
that Ban Johnson should take out
his war club and wave 1t over Jack
Barry's head.
Players should Drill.
The Grifmen as q team are enthu-
siastic over military drill, but two or
three of them are cheering no cheers,
thereby showing their lack Of plain
common sense. They seem to think
that 1t is extra work, for which no
pay Is given.
Captain Huston, the Yankees mag
nate, wants the players to drill as an
example to thousands OF young men
in this country who follow the doings
OF the diamond heroes when they for
get all else. No better reason can be
found for the daily drills OF the play
ers, though the whole National League
Is too blind to see 1t and Harry Frazee
has yet to wake up TO it.
Fans are Patriotic.
That American League followers are
patriotic was shown conclusively at
Shfbe Park last Wednesday when they
stood and cheered the Mackmen for
the simple military movements they
performed after the national flag was
swung to the breeze. The American
fans are In no mood for shillyshally-
ing now in a matter OF patriotism.
Too many young men everywhere are
enlisting, though no ball player has
yet stepped forward. II this fact goes
home, these same players may find
the going rather rough
In case conscription Is adopted by
the Government, many ball players
VIII be eligible. Lack OF physical
condition cannot be their excuse for
remaining at home. They are exam
Piles of physical perfection. But II
these same players are doing their bit
toward waking up the military fervor
of youthful America, they may be al
lowed to remain out of the ranks.
So far as known, no member OF the
Griffmen has complained against the
drills. But at least two are luke
warm in their support and inclined to
smile at their effectiveness. thereby
showing weak brain cells.
Griffmen Waste No Time.
Although the opening game Of the
Grinmen here was not played yester-
day, the players wasted no time. At
2 o'clock the squad was lined up and
marched around the field for an entire
hour, Corporal Dean doing his best
TO make up for time lost on account
OF inclement weather. The squad look
ed good and should make a fine i'm
preston upon the fans at Georgia ave
nue. next Friday.
Following the drill the players
warmed up on the diamond and both
infields were rushed through a field
ing practice after everybody had done
some batting.
Manager Griffith will make no
changes in his lineup until somebody
falls down, and SO the team that open
ed against the Mackmen is expected
to do so here and again IN Washing
ton next Friday. The only possible
change can be at first base, and that
is not a change, but the regularly
adopted scheme OF using Shanks
against southpaws and Judge against
right-handers.