Evening star., 1917-03-18
GR|FF NOT TO PICK
TEAM UNTIL APRIL Il
Work of Players in Week Pre-
ceding Seasons Opening
Will Determine Selections.
CATCHING STAFF CERTAIN
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

Special Dispatch TO The star.
AUGUSTA, Ga, March IL
What they are able to show in the
week Immediately preceding the
opening of the American League
season, April II. will determine
the fate Of the various candidates
for infield and outheld positions
on the Washington team. accord
ing to Manager Griffith. The pilot
is keeping close tabs on the work
of the men in training, and he will
continue to do so during the ex-
hibition games, but he said today
he would reserve final Judgment
until the players all get together
again in Washington April 5 for
the final week OF conditioning.
Although Jameson is listed
with the twirlers and is a candi-
date for the pitching staff, his
ability as an outfelder compli-
Gates the doping out OF what men
will be retained as gardeners.
Shanks occupies somewhat
similar position. He has been
nominated by Griffith as the first
baseman OF the new inheld,' and
has done we'll in that position in
the practice here, but his unsur-
passed ability as an outhelder will
not be lost sight of by the boss
when the time comes to eliminate
the least promising OF the play
ers.
Regular Outfelders to Stick.
1t is assured. of course. that the "regu
lar outdelders-Clyde Milan. Sam Rice
and Elmer smith-will be retained. 1t is
believed that at least two other fly
chasers will be carried, and were ii not
for the presence in the squad of jamie
son and Shanks, ii might be safely pre-
GlCteQ Mike MeuOShy anu 1loidlc
Milan would be the men, They are the
only two aVowed candidates for outfieid
berths. as young Berry cannot be con-
sidered at all.
What player is capable of accom-
plishing in regular season cannot be
Judged from u few practice games early
in the spring. This is particularly true
In regard to batting. as none of the
pitchers at this stage is properly tuned
up AS far as can be determined a this
sarly date, however, Menosky and young
Milan appear to be pretty nearly evenly
matched in ability. Menosky is the
faster of the two, and probably would
show to better advantage on the base
lines, although comparison of their 1915
averages furnishes no basis for this con-
clusion. 1t is doubtful if Menosky Is
better judge of fly ball than the
youngster from Linden. Tenn, however.
Both have splendid throwing arms. being
strong and accurate in their pesglng:
Milan's manner of going after ny ball
gives a spectator more confidence re-
garding its capture than do MenoSky s
actions. Both stand up well at the plate
and each takes healthy cut at the ball.
Nenosky's record with the bat last sea
son was somewhat better than that of
Milan, but it must be said that Zeb's
kid brother has the appearance of being
a good hitter at any rate.
Infield Positions Doubtful.
Thus far nothing definite has de-
veIoped in regard to what will be the
outcome of the contest between the
eight infelders for the four berths to
be filled. Shanks and Judge both are
fielding in acceptable style. but Hank
is clouting the ball much harder than
the latter. although Judge has been
much in evidence on the bases, owing
TO his ability to work the pitchers for
free transportation Foster has not
started 70 hit as he should, but handles
the chances given him at second base
In better style than Sawyer. Crane
has demonstrated that his reputation
OF being a great fielder is well merited,
hut Mcbride is no slouch, and he looks
better at the bat than his younger
rival. The injury TO the thumb on
Leonard's throwing hand has retarded
his conditioning work. Ray Morgan.
who has been playing third for the
N-Hnigans. is a little slow, due to ex-
cess weight and being bundled up in
red flannel. but it already is well es-
tablished that the Baltimorean is a
good ball player when in condition and
devoting his attention to the game.
Mike Moran has been handicapped by
an exceedingly sore throwing arm.
This has affected his fielding well
as his pegging, but he handles himself
well at that, and Is by no means a
weaklinS with the stick.
As for the catcherS-this is one de-
partment that is giving Manager
Griffith absolutely no worry. In Ain
smith Charity and Henry Washing
OF backstops in the American League.
and as far as is known Griffith has no
intention OF casting about for a fourth