The Washington times., 1917-03-25
GRIFFMEN TO START
REDS GAMES TODAY
Nationals in Memphis Will
Leave for Nashville for More
Battles.
FIELD WAS DEEP IN WATER
Southern Leaguers to Be Met
Tomorrow At Vanderbilt
University.
FIELD WAS DEEP IN WATER

MEMPHIS Tenn, March 25.-To-
night the GrIfmen leave for Nashville
to meet the Southern Leaguers of that
city in two contests to be played at
Dudley Field, Vanderbilt University.
The angry current Of the Cumberland
river at Nashville has flooded the
regular ball park, and so the two
games have been transferred to the
campus of the university. This will
tend to keep down the attendance, but
there Is no other way out of the
mix-up.
Today Memphis is prepared to see
q real big league ball lfAme. the Grifr-
men tackling the Cincinnati Reds in
the first of six games to be played
between them. Walter Johnson has
been widely advertised to pitch at
least three innings today, and it is
expected that the crowd will be large.
Win By Close Margins
Judging by their two exhibitions
against Southern League clubs, the
Grifmen would be pennant contenders
in this circuit down here. Each Of
their victories has been by so small
q margin as to cause fear in the
hearts of those wishing them well.
Against rather poor pitching the
Washington batsmen have not done
well enough TO suit. Six hits were
gathered OF the Birmingham mound
trio and that's all were seen when
Mike DonIin's youngsters turned out
against Grifs lads. Fortunately, in
each case these hits were punched now
and then, and so Washington was vic
torious. But that was luck. that's all.
Smith and Rice Hitting.
Elmer Smith and Sam Rice are begin
ming to find their batting lamps. In both
gaines they have hit the ball hard.
though not always safely. The Cincin-
natl series ought to bring them around
in good shape for the opening OF the
season in Philadelphia
Molly Crafts greenness got him into
trouble yesterday. As long as the bases
were empty he looked like a regular
hurler. but when the Chicks got busy
IN the fourth frame and filled the cor
fortunate in having but one run scored
on him during the excitement.
Thomas Pitches Well.
Claude Thomas pitching was good
enough to suit the most captious, but
poor fielding. part Of It his own. served
TO keep him in trouble and gave the
home fans a run for their money.
Uncle Nick Altrock kept the fans in
good humor. Nick stages his own show
at every opportunity, and half the time
the fans were not watching the ball
game at all. they preferred to see Nick
initiating the umpire or knock himself
out In mimic night
Two runs came over for the Grifmen
In the third, when Craft got a life on
Aelder's choice win one down. Leonard
walked. and both advanced on Fosters
death Milan'S healthy hit TO center put
them across the platter.
Milan Hits in Pinch.
Henry beat out q slow one to open
the NTH and was forced Donlin
dropped Caruthers' toss, putting
Jameson on. Leonard rolled TO Fen
tress and Foster took a walk. Milan's
sweet hit to right counted Jameson
and Smiths mighty drive TO right
brought Foster over with the visitors
concluding run.
Dobard's walk opened the fourth.
He stole second before Donlin beat out
q sdow one to Leonard. Cooks slap
10 right scored Dobsrd, a regular fat
boy who was once drafted by the Griff-
men. but never given a trial. After
Wick had famed Craft filled the bases
with a pass TO Manda and looked
ready for the slaughter pen. He man.
aged to pull himself together, how
ever, and forced Ruel TO roll to Foster
for the final out.