davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
DEFENSE KILLING
BATTING AVERAGES
Development of That End of
Game Responsible for Re-
duction, Says Griff.

Falling of OF general batting av-
erages in the big league has given
rise to much discussion OF late. Even
Clark Griffith is telling what he
thinks about IL. In an argument
yesterday Griff was asked II he
thought that the crack outfits OF the
present were superior to those Of the
old days, il Connie Mack's pennant
winners OF three or four years back
excelled the Orioles of the early
nineties. for instance.
Present Teams Stronger.
"Why, Mack's OUTFIT would have
eaten them up" said Griff. 'Nowa-
days a study Is made OF each and
every individual batter. His weak
points and his general style are care
fully noted, and whenever he appears
at the plate with a bat In his hand
the pitchers and the felders behind
him govern themselves according to
a set plan of/defense mapped out be-
forehand. The pitcher devotea his at
tention to trying to make the bats
man hit in a certain direction, and
the fielders know what TO expect and
are laying for him.
Show More Science.
'The ball is hit just as hard and
just as often as in the old days, but
the fielders are showing more intel
ligence in their work. It is a rard
matter to dope some OF the hItters
at all. but the general result of the
study given the scientific end Of the
game has been a marked decrease in
batting.
1T is estimated that batting las
fallen off about 20 per cent in the
American League in the last five
years, but the real reason for it is
stronger defensive play. 1t Is true
that the foul strike rule has handi-
capped batters to certain extent,
but 1t does not account for the gen.
eral slump I'm the average stlckwork
OF the past few seasons"
Now we can expect to hear from
such old-timers as John Kelly and
such, who cannot be made to believe |
that baseball has improved a particle |
since the days OF Anson and others.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
TOME BOYS HERE,

PORT DEPOSIT, Nd, March g.
Coach George Green has sent in his
entries for the George Washington
meet, as follows: Relay team, William
Lassen, George Marshall, Robert
Bradford, and Marshall Pridmore. In
the one-miIe open and half mile scho-
lastic, William Baker and T. Wright
son Tolson, respectively, and Marshall
Pridmore and William Lassen in the
fifty-yard scholastic.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
MOVIES AFTER HOPPE
Famous 8IIIardIsts May Accept Of.
fers Later.

Willie Hoppe, the worlds champion
billiardist, who will appear in this
city soon, is flirting with the movies
He has received several e,od Of
fers TO show his skill with the ivor-
les and cue. Several big movie com
panies have made these offers to
Hoppe, and he is considering them at
present. When the right one comes
along he may yield. Hopes broth
er-in-Iaw, George Walsh, Is one of the
leading actors with the Fox Company
and is being featured in Melting
Millions" at present. Walsh was
formerly an athlete at Georgetown
University. Another brother-in-law or
Hopes is one OF the Fox Film d.
rectors on the Pacific coast.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

coming from Minneapolis and the lat
ter from Oklahoma.
Dumont has been wrestling with
ice cakes all winter, and Is eleven
pounds heavier than when he report
ed last spring at the teams camp in
Virginia Outdoor work in a cold
climate has hardened him consider
ably, and Manager Griffith is sure
to be delighted with his appearance.
Thomas looks quite as he did last
fall when he Joined the team in the
West, though he claims to be bit over
weight. He doesn't show 1t to any
great extent
Dumont Unfortunate.
Dumont's father died during the
past winter, and then his house burn
ed down, adding to his troubles. III
luck has steadied the little French
man, who now says that he is going
to show the Old Fox some real pitch
ing this spring.
''Iv seen what the batsmen are in
this league" grins Monty, "and I
guess ] can hold my own. II / can't
now / never will"
Fred Harveycutter, a Washington
business man, is with the players
here and intends continuing through
out the training trip.
Bobby Lowe, the old Boston Ma
tional Lacquer, now a scout for the
Detroit club, is here, and expects to
get into uniform and cavort a few
cavorts with the Washington players
for a few days.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
GANDlL MAY BALK
Demands Salary Increase Promised
by Indians.

CHICAGO, March 2.-President
Comiskey's move to secure a promis-
ing first sacker and dodge the hold
out proclivities OF Jack Ness, seems
to have gone awry. Ness insists that
he is through unless a $500 increase
Is affixed to the contract offered him.
Comiskey purchased Chick GandiI
from Cleveland. GandiI, from New
Orleans. announced that unless the
salary increase he asked of Cleveland
Is forthcoming, he doesn't intend to
wear n SoN uniform. The question
that now bothers the "OId Roman" is
which of the two players, Ness or
Gandil, is worth the price.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
G. W. U. MEET GETS
UNDER WAY EARLY
Athletes TO Gather at Conven.
tion Hall for Final
Sport Card.

Indoor track athletics will be con.
cluded for the season with tonights
games held by George Washington
at Convention Hall. Manager VIII.
liam s. James, of the Hatchetites, has
left no stone unturned in order to
make the meet a success and merely
awaits the gathering OF the clans.
The preliminary heats starting at
1880 p. m. will open up an evening of
first class sport Judging from the
fields entered in the various events
for schools, colleges, and clubs.
Colleges Are Here.
Athletes from Virginia, Johns Hop
kins, Maryland State, Washington
and Lee. Georgetown, George Wash.
ington, Penn State, Carlisle, and La
fayette are all ready for Starter Car
ney's gun. Among the prominent
schools entered are Central, Technical,
Western, John Marshall High School,
Tome School, Baltimore City College.
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and
Georgetown Prep.
The relay races OF which there are
many have been carefully matched.
1t is always difficult to get teams of
the same ability in q race, but Man
ager James has had the beenfit of
watching two other meets this win
ter and believes he has selected the
right teams for competition.
There are sixteen events for open
and scholastic competition and four
for South Atlantic title honors. Not
the least interesting will be the strug-
gle between Georgetown and Virginia
for point honors In the association
events.
Cracks On Scratch.
In the 60-yard open event Brooke
Brewer, Of Maryland State. and Dor.
sey Griffith, of Georgetown, are on
scratch. The meeting will be watch
cd with q deal Of interest. In the
scholastic handicap fifty MeNamara,
Of Tech, and w. Andrews, OF B. P. l..
are on scratch
G. %. Lynch. OF the Eastern Col
lege Academy, Is on scratch In the
scholastic quarter, while Monroe
Sheehan y on the scratch in the scho-
lastic halt mile. Auray, OF George
town, and Stone, Of Virginia, are the
Auray and Weeks, OF Hopkins, are on
The scratch in the open half.
Stars In Shot Event.
There are several stars In competi-
lion in the shotput. Lawrence Gray
son, former Western High School
star; Allan. Thurman, who was driv-
ng an ambulance in France, and II.
W. Coleman, Virginia's football cap
ain, and all hailing from Charlottes-
1ille. are tossing the weight. Dan
)Connor, Georgetown's football
eader, Is another weight HEAVIER, as
s Leadbetter, the Hopkins crack.
: Firor, of Hopkins, and Kimmel. of
he Maryland Swimming Club, are on |
cratch in the high jump. while Harry |
Georgetown's track cap
ain. must concede inches In the pole |
Tault.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
ANOTHER CLUBN
GOLF ASSOCIATION
Walter R. Tuckerman, Chevy
Chase, Gets Presidency Of
N. A. G. A.

Walter r. Tuekerman, of Chevy
Chase, newly elected president OF the
Middle Atlantic Golf Association, will
have no hoodoo number to contend
with during the year. The admission
Of the Green Spring Valley Club OF
Baltimore to the ranks Of the as
sociation boosts the number Of clubs
from thirteen to fourteen, and Tuck
erman as well as the members OF the
association have welcomed the new
member.
There was no hard luck sttachsd
to the office Of president as filled BY
B. Warrep.Corkran. Baltimore's crack
golfer, but a. Chevy Chase was
year the office OF president went
with the choice of the course for
the title event
Pro Event Tabled.
A proposed professional tournament
for representatives OF the section was
tabled by the association golfers at
their. meeting at the New willard
last night. When Chevy Chase was
given the tournament It was decided
70 nOAu Ino oNouI on Ino Qale1 OF
June z, 8, and o.
Team championship matches will
be held as usual this year. It was
voted to give. no, prize to the team
making the lowest aggregate score
In the team title match.
sIingIuff Elected.
r. Lee slingluff, Maryland coun-
try Club, ives elected vice president:
Alpheys wintar, Columbia Country
Club. secretary; Yates Penniman, Bal
timore Country Club, treasurer, ana
F. J. d. Mackay, Country Club OF
member OF the executive
The following delegates from the
respective clubs were present: Balti-
more Country Club, W. s., Symington,
jr.; Bannockburn Golf Glib, DR.. J. r.
De Farges; Chevy Chase Club. Nor
ven Thompson; Columbia Country
Club, DR.. Lee L. Harlan; Hermitage
Golf Club, W. W. NeaIe: Maryland
Country Club, R. Lee SiingluH; wash
ngton Golf and Country Club. George
:. Truett; Wilmington Country Club,
J. r. Bailey, and Country Club Of
F. ]. d. Mackay.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
PLAY sEMI.FINALs.

PINEHURST. N. c. March 2.-Nor-
man Maxwell, OF the Aronimink Club.
Philadelphia. and Robert Hunter, of
the Weeburn Club, and E C. Beall,
Uniontown, and @. J. Murphy, OF the
Wallaston Club. are paired In the
semi-finals Of the spring golf tourna-
ment today.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
BERT GALLIA HERE
Pitcher Brings Bride and VIII See
Inauguration.

Bert Gallia, the Griffmen's curve
bal lartist, who was TO have accom-
panied the first squad of players to
the training camp. arrived today with
his bride after an eventfuI trip from
his home at Woodsboro, Tex. and was
given permission by the Old Fox to
remain over in time TO see part Of the
inauguration. He will leave for
Augusta on the 3 o'clock train Mon
day afternoon.
Gallia had to come in a round
ABOUT way, owing to washouts on the
road. He is In fine fettIe, having done
considerable conditioning work before
leaving home. Mrs. Gallia will stay
here while Bert is at camp.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
Ed GEE WRITES
Declares Tennis 10 Booming In the
Philippine Islands.

Philippine Islands.
The rapid growth Of tennis is demon
strated in letter from Edwin s. Gee, OF
Manila. former Washington player and
wen known here. who has been active for
several years in promoting the game
in the Philippines. He writes that in
1906 there were only 800 or 400 players
in the islands, Americans and Euro
peans.
Now there are. at a conservative esti-
mate. 5000 bona fide Filipino tennis
players. and the standard of play Is inn
proving by leaps and bounds They hope
eventually to send team to the United
States Of really frst-class caliber.
That the FilIplnos are good players is
shown by the fact that Church and
went five sets to beat
Fargas and Suarez. the scores being
So. 81, 81. 81. 81 There were
about 200 entries In the tournament for
the championship Of the Philippines.
played February 311, during the Manila
carnival
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
WRESTLERS DRAW
o'connor Cannot Pick Winner After
Three Hours.

Three Hours.
Pat oconnor, referee of the Tur-
ner-Yokel wrestling match held at
the Lyceum last night, was unable to
pick a winner after the men had
grappled three hours on the mat.
At the conclusion of the struggle
during which neither man had gained
a fall, OConnor declared a draw.
The crowd appeared satisfied with 6he
decision.
Yokel was heavier than the local
man and appeared stronger. Turner
was somewhat more aggressive and
speedier. The bout was one of the
most satisfactory every staged here.
Clean, fast aggressive work char
acteriZed the match.
In the preliminaries Frank Zerega
threw Big Greek twice, while Bumps
Turner pinned Tony Rosettrs shoul-
ders twice.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
MANY Big LEAGUERS
BEING PASSED UP
One Hundred and Thirty Who
Shone in 1914 Dropped
Out Since.
. ny JOE villa.

NEW YORK, March 2.-More than
130 players who drew salaries in the
major leagues in 1914 have dropped
into obscurity.
or the Boston Braves who won the
worlds championship that year,
Strand, Joe Connolly, Gather, Schmidt,
Gilbert, Devore, Moran, Hess, Wha-
ling, Crutcher, and Cockeham have
gone.
Sixteen Pass Along.
The Yankees in 1914 carried sixteen
men who since have. passed along.
King Cole is dead, while the minors
have taken Cook, Mullen, Daley, Hart
zelI, Boone, Sweeney, Truesdale, Nc.
Hale. Holden, Keating, Williams, Car
roll Brown, and Pieh. Birdie Cree re-
tired last year.
The CIevelands severed relations
with LeliVelt. Barbare, Kirke, Lajoie.
Johnston. R. Wood, Bassler, Carisch,
Birmingham, Bisland. Blanding, Cola
more, Bowman, and Hagerman.
Browns Drop Nine.
The Browns lost Leary, Gus Will
liams, Wallace, Wares, Leverenz,
Crossin. Hugh Jennings, of the
ity, Dubuc, d. Baker, Purtell, Main,
Reynolds, and Hall The White Sox
dismissed Kuhn. Demmitt, Black.
burne, Lord, Alcock, and Berger.
The Athletics are minus the ser
vices Of Lapp, Oldring, Bressler and
Bender. The departed Red Sox of
that season are Rehg, Ray Collins,
Rankin Johnson, and Bedient, while
Clark Griffith has turned out Alva
Williams, Bentley, Dutch Schafer and
others who wore Washington uni
forms three years ago. One by one
the roses fall.
Pirates Cast on.
The Pirates soon cast off Gibson,
Viox, Gerber, Mike Mitchell. Jim
Kelly, Hyatt, Mensor, Babe Adams,
Norman McQuillan, and Councilman.
Colonel Ebbets, of the Brooklyns set
Tex Erwin, Dalton, Rucker, Hummel,
Schultz and Aitchison adrift. The
Phillies finally released Becker, Mar
tin, Ireland, Mattison. Doom, Tincup,
Marshall and Baumgartner. Huggins
OF the Cardinals found able substi-
tutes for Wilson, Skinner, Robinson,
Dolan, Riggert, Cruise, Butler, Beck.
Dresser and Perone, while the Reds
released Roy Miller, Bergenhammer,
and Douglass.
Under Roger BresnRhan's management
he Cubs who will not be seen again |
IN fast company, include Fisher, Phe-
an. Goode, Leach, Bates, Humphries, |
Derrick, Hargraves; Bill |
Donovan, Kinsley and Heating. Nc
iraw got rid of Wiltse, Pieh, Grant. |
Mclean, Fromme, OTOole, |
md Donlin, who were members OF the |
Giants in 1914 while, Mathewson,
low Is the manager OF the Reds.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

In q training season. or course Mike
never had q chance at the specialized
baseball of today. but here Is how
Kahoe summed up his training sea-
son. I'VE reported the day before the
season opened" said Mike. "And II we
weren't in condition we drew no pay.
And II we were in shape, which It was
our business to be, we went in and
caught every day until the season
ended" A split finger will draw q
headline and q corps Of doctors today,
and the players will be rested up
until he Is well enough to take his
place. We think Mike Jealous. That's
all.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

Now that the advance guard of the
Nationals Is in Augusta we may look
Tor the annual stories from the cor.
respondents at the front. Snow and
freezy weather will give way TO the
oalmy breeze stuff in a few short
weeks. The regular baseball fan will
then wake up and take his medicine.
In the meantime we must be content
with getting a line on the rockies
Personally we believe the baseball
season starts when Walter johnson
takes the mound to hurl the old Dill
into Eddie Ainsmith's waiting mitt.
Until then we will read as we ride.
Our old frianh AHika nnu.- A.ni..a
The Washington times., 1917-03-02
Trus Cobb Plans Train With nen Stay Camp
BOB THAYER'S GOSSIP
ON SPORTING MATTERS

When predictions OF all sorts were
running abroad in the land anent the
player strike in midwinter, ons CLARK
Griffith came forward with the state
ment that all of the holdouts worth
while would be in the fold in time
for starting the training season. GrIff
ABOUT hit the nail on the head. Zach
day more players are signed until
now the big leaguers have almost a
iull roster. Grifrs prediction came
true.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

OF all things, there's Chick Gandil
with the White Sox. There was q time
when the mention OF the words White
Sox threw Gandil into q first class
fit. Chick broke into the big league
in Chicago and was thought lacking.
He was sent back to the bush. Com
ing up from the bushes again when
Clark Griffith bought him. Gandil's
sole ambition was to play great ball
to show Chicago a thing or two. Ev-
cry time Chick played in Chicago he
tried his best to slam them all over
the lot. Hits made on the White Sox
field sounded sweeter to Chick than
any where else on the circuit Chicks
very life was making good in order
to spite the White Sox. Now Chick
goes to the White Sox, the very team
with which he started his big league
career and the club which found him
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

With schoolboy activities deyeIop.d
70 high state Of perfection, and ten
MS CLUBS taking considerable interest
In the younger generation, why not
junior golf tournament? Time was
when the kids cluttered up the golf
courses. 1t has taken Bobby Jones.
Phil Carter and Norman Maxwell A
short time to convince the older play.
ers that many of the kids must be
reckoned with Give the youngsters
OF iirteen ana sixteen q chance In the
Junior tournaments and II will be but
Q year or so before this CITY bos.ts
any number of high class pIayers
under seventeen years Of axe. The
IDEA Is worthy OF consideration. Ter
Chevy Chase or Columbia open up In
q regular fall or spring Junior tour
nament and there would be plenty of
entries.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

Washington has developed some of
the best sprinters in the world. OF
course, some of them came here with
fine records, but most of them got GO
ing after they arrived here. There
may be something in the climate that
produces sprinters, but look over the
line OF wefers. Duffy, Minahan, Seitz,
Reilly, Holland, Jones, Lepper, Smith
son, Dear, Maxam, Griffith, stebbins,
and Brewer. Where will you do bet
ter outside OF New York;
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

Our old friend Mike never believed
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

Accommodations for the players in
the club house erected for their par
ticular use are all that could be de-
sired and no complaints have been
heard from the chronic kickers. With
good weather, Griffs players ought
to have little trouble in getting away
to a flying start.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

1t is quite like old times for the
Griffmen to find rain awaiting them
at their training camp. It rained in
spells all day yesterday and blew
up cold at night. The outlook today
is for more rain, followed by clear
ing and warmer weather.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

The ball park to be used by the big
leaguers during their stay here is in
fair condition, the grass coming up
prettily in the outheld- The Augusta
club has torn down its old grand
stand and is now erecting a new one
The fence has also been demolished
and so anybody who wishes will be
able to watch the daily drill.
The Washington times., 1917-03-02

Mike Martin has mapped out q course
ofsprouts that will not call for much
hard work until Monday. He wants
the pitchers to improve their wind
and strengthen their arms before try
ing any real pitching. 1t will take
several days before they will be
ready for the opposing batsmen.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-23
RAPTISTS To HOLD
! GREAT REVIVAL HERE
Simultaneous Evangelistic Meetings
WIN He Launched With Great
Gathering at City Auditor
ium October IS.

The Baptist churches Of Richmond
Will inaugurate a great simultaneous
evangeliEtic campaign on Sundsv. Oc-
tober rs Preachers pf national prom
tnence Will take part asd it is antici-
pated that the meetings vii! continue
al least two weeks,
Secretary ArendaH OF the Baptist
council and number Of ether Bap-
ttst workers arc mapping out the
plans for the campaign,
The initial meeting viii Re a great
gathering at the City Auditorium
Thereafter there will he meetings held
each night in all Of the eity's Baptist
churches, with an insprstional Eath~
erine al some central church zach
morning to hear reports and 70 com d
pare notes Many shop meetings VIII
he held.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-23
in the Cspvoni plane when 1t had its
accident
ON RETURN TRIP MAKES
TWO MILES \ MINUTE

Langley Field. Hampton Va. Sent.
22-TFeo miles a minute from Wash
ington to Hampton Roads was the re-
cord set late this afternoon by the
italian war pilot Baldioli IN Pemi-
Ito hiplsne His was one Of the three
machines which few from Langley
field TO Washington this morning
With Signor Bramhillo, attache OF
the Italian embassy as a passenger,
he made the return trip Of 50 miles
in rs minutes fighting his way In a
stiff breeze at an vera4e altitude Of
4,000 feet.
The record breaking flight ended at
S.25 r. NJ when Baldioli maneuver =
ing his airplane like a motor car in
a crowded street made perfact
landing, and swung Down the smooth
field and backed into his hangar as II
II were a garage,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-23

Raymond Walsh fourteen -year-old
schoolboy, of 2o24 West Main street,
vas arrested yesterday by the juvenile
authorities on the charge OF stealing
two BICYCLES, one belonging TO John
Fhaap. 5i2l Floyd avenue, and the
ethes 10 Clarence L.afon. Ios south
Pine street.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-23
ITALIAN AIRCRAFT
THRILL WASHINGTON
sxAsrAe Fly From Langley Field to
Capital, One of Them With
Ten Persons
<yME AAADr RETURN TRIP
IN SEVENTY FIVE MINUTES
AL Washington Thrilled by Daredevil
Sxunfs of Aviators-Two Machines
Suffer Minor Mishaps,

wash.ngtna, sept - The pigeons
about Washington parks and the buzz
xares about Washington suburbs
turned green with envy at the bril-
lhntiy coloreG wings OF three splen-
di6 italian a!rplanes which came here
from Langley field, Hampton Va, and
thrilled the whole town with the
creates, exhibition Of daredevil flying
Etay-at-hone Washington has ever
seen
Tonight one Of the machines has
safely returned 70 its home hangar.
The Others suffered nishaps and must
be repaired before they return.
This incident was pointed out to-
night as an example of the great need
tor more machines II America Ia to
kelp win the war in The air All the
Italian machines were tuned TO per-
lection for the flight Yet. only one,
! fast little Canoiic fighting scout, pl.
loted by Lieutenant BaldioN OF the
ITALIAN army, returned TO Newport
Eews
Tbs other machines a huge Capronl
eiplane which can carry s dozen men
or two tons OF bonn hs. and d Fiat
scout suffered minor mishaps which
called for repairs de}ayinx their de-
parture until after dark They viii
probably make the return trip tomor-
row
All the av5ators demonstrated 70
Washington the latest tactics of aerial
battle Over the tops Of houses they
SKINNED High In the clouds they
apparently lest control and .'aenf off
the wing In swiriine. horrffvGrg fans
Only to bring 40 in ssfe ana ,vrace.
fs,l curve The poir,n4 .ioIr -
straiwht for the e.~,b an5 ,,1,.,nas
down down 49,, ,tn+TI 4, a,'sl,,
certain thsv ware ~,,,.,,t, =,
~~... r.. p Inns ils '"'" vac
y, V'"t''@e pa' n "tiy 40
81 81 ''a( fn.hn'"
nN""i'"S "i Nh"ht-'iaa
$50 ~ tfN eF"Na t3eIF nFst I'M
preston OF what 1t would be 70 hit
AZ elrp4ane Win an anu-aircraft gun
ana OF the gFmnsstic prowess that
ar aviator must display
Lieutenant Franklin X Lane IT..
~ the officers reserve corps and a
sor of the secretary uf the interior
aceorpanie6 T8eutenar, paYafolt IT,
his most daring thrills He said m
Arwards thai he entoves IL