The Washington times., 1917-04-11
PATRIOTISM SHOWN
IN OPENING CLASH
Trumpets Mark Getaway Con-
test in American
League.
ATHLETICS STRENGTHENED
Long, Lean Leader Has Picked
Up Some Promising Players
for Coming Campaign.
Continued from First Page.)

Continued from First Page.)
short trial, he impressed Connie Mack
with his hitting abili y and that's why
he is in the lineup TO-DAY.
In the infield are two new players,
Lawry at second, and Bates at third.
Iawry was with the team last year,
but illness kept him from showing at
hiS best. This spring he has deliv-
cred The real goods, especially at the
bat. and so the long lean leader has
picked him to open the. season at
second base.
, Charlie Pick, former Griffman, has
been supplanted at third base by
Bates, from Vernon in the Pacific
Coast League. Bates is a good fielder
and q fair hitter. With al, the other
good batsmen on the team, the Mack
men can afford to carry one or two
light hitters, and Bates may be one of
them.
weather Rather Cold,
The Griffmen on their arrival here
found the we her rather cold Tor
baseball, but they did not worry over
much, remembering that the Mackmen
have just come from the South. The
Griffmen have been facing bitter
breezes ever since they landed in
Nashville and so cold weather now
cannot bother them much.
The Washington players left the
Capital at 6 o'clock last night, getting
here three hours later and going at
once to the Hotel Majestic, their head
quarters during the season. The boys
did not stay up very long but went
to bed early in order to be ready Tor
.today's game.
Corporal J. H. Dean, U. S. A, drill
master Of the Grifmen, accompanied
the players to this city. He is most
enthusiastic about the military drill
TO be given the players.
should Win Prize.
"The Washington players should
win the prize offered by President
johnson" said Corporal Dean this
morning. 81 don't know how the
other teams are taking to this drilE
but do know that Mr.. Griffth's boys
are taking to II like ducks to water.
All they need. do is to obey orders,
take their drilling seriously, and they
will walk away with the $500.
while 1t is g. pleasant task for me,
nevertheless, with war declared
against Germany, / hope to ut these
young men for serious work ahead.
There is no telling when they may be
called upon for active service.
Right now 1 wish to thank Man
aRer Griffith for his share in making
my work easy. Mr.. Griffith, in doing
his bit in the daily drills, has aided
me in more ways than one. The re
suits are certain"
Stay Here -Four Days.
The Griffmen are due to stay here
four days, leaving Saturday night for
New York. On Monday they begin q
four-game series with the New York
Yankees at the Polo Grounds.
Manager Griffith is well satisfied
with the condition of his players. He
believes they will more than hold
their own in their first eight games,
and will go back to Washington in a
high place in the standings.
Z My boys are ready" says Grif.
my pitchers-and they're important
in the spring-are in wonderful
shape, excepting Harper, who was left
at home, and should hold their own.
sxpect to go back to Washington up
around first place"
johnson I'm Condition.
( Walter johnson, selected to twirl
the opening game Of the season here
has recovered from his sore foot and
q counted on to win his game here
md at least one in New York next
Eeek. He has taken his time about
Bounding into shape ana is now ready
10 work whenever csllede UPON.
2 1t is probable that Jim Shaw, Bert
1alIia, George Du Mont, and Doc
Ayers will be used in the games away
from home. Ayers will hardly be sent
against the Mackmen, but he will be
nsed in New York.
= Du Mont will take Ayers place here
testing when the Griffmen go to the
Big city. This will send the Mime
apolis finger back against the Mack
men IN Washington in the first hons
aeries at Georgia avenue.