The Washington times., 1917-03-14
RAILROAD TROUBLE
WORRIES GRIFFITH
Threatened Strike Might Force
Abandonment of Spring Ex-
hibition Trip.
PITCHERS NEED MORE WORK
None Able to Go More Than
Three Innings-Eight Re-
naming Days In Camp.
PITCHERS NEED MORE WORK
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.
AUGUSTA, Ga, March 14.-Rumors
of. an impending strike on the rail-
roads of the country have added to
the worries of Manager Griffith, who
may find himself compelled to remain
somewhere in Dixie land, and result
in the absolute end of his spring eX-
hibition trip.
'I hope there won't be any strike"
said the Old Fox today, but If one
comes and catches me without a
chance 10 help myself I'll camp just
wherever 1 happen to be until the
strike is ended. or the opening date
of the season forces me to start home.
Motor cars and boats can take me
to Phiiadebhia, where We are due
to open the season on April IL. l
haven't any doubt but that 1 could
make connections satisfactorily, but
the inconvenience naturally would be
felt"
Players Like Drill.
Today was cool and cloudy, por-
tending rain, and it was ideal foF
Corporal Deans squad of rookie sol
diers. The players are taking to the
theory of marching formations rapid
iy and they put ia an hour ef hard
work this morning. Manager Grtf-
fifth hopes that military drilling will
be continued throughout the spring
by the ball clubs, as he believes all
the players are benefiting.
Pitchers Need Work.
The Washington pitchers will need all
their few remaining days before the
season opens to acquire that form
that makes for victory. This is be-
ing shown beyond argument by their
work on the mound in the practice
games played to date. Not one is
in condition to toll for more than
three innings. Most of them are
not strong enough to go that far.
Counting today eight more days
will be spent here including one Sun
day, which is a day of rest If good
weather continues as it promises.
be played before the camp breaks up
and the two squads start Northward
on their exhibition schedules.
Griffith L. SatIs led.
81 am well satisfied with condi-
tions here and with the development
of the players" said Manager Grif.
fifth today. 81 DON'T want them to
rush ahead. I'd rather have them
take things easily then they'll be all
the better when the bell rings"
The Old Fox admits that his pitch
ers are not strong enough to go far
at this time, but ne believes that
they will constantly grow better and
that the opening game will find them
ready to deliver the real article on
the rubber.
The Yannigans took both OF yes
terday's games, showing plenty of
hitting strength against rather me-
diocre pitching. Molly Craft was
wild and when he found the plate
was touched up right merrily.
Pitcher. Weaken.
Claude Thomas was spanked un-
mercifully in the afternoon. display.
ing little or nothing. George Dumont,
who was thought to, have developed
rapidly, staggered after going three
innings in the afternoon sun and al
lowed five hits for as many runs CIV
ing the victory to the Yannigans, 9
TO s. Judging from what they have
shown thus far, the pitchers are not
yet in shape to give Manager Griffith
much of a line on their abilities.
Joe Leonards bruised thumb kept
him off the third base line. In the
morning he did not play at all, but
in the afternoon he covered center
field letting Zeb Milan show his class
around third corner. Zeb escaped
with his life. though he was the butt
of much good natured kidding from
the bunch.
Sizes Up Players.
Joe Cantillon had an excellent
chance to study the form of the play
ers he may want in Minneapolis next
summer. He umpired the morning
battle and watched the afternoon
contest from the bench. He will not
discuss his wants, but he paid par
ticular attention 10 Sam Crane, Mike
Moran, Jim Shaw, and Charlie Hum
phries.
This may or may not mean any
thing. George Mcbride helped the
Yannigans to the afternoon victory
with an error, but his hitting ham,
mered over two runs for his team
in the fourth. His triple drove Smith
and Shanks across the plate.
Mcbride outcIasses Crane.
The veteran shortstop is in won
derful shape, and there is no compari-
son between him and Crane, his prin-
cipal competitor. II Is a contrast
all in favor OF Mcbride.
Ed Gharrity's batting eye seemed
clear yesterday Out Of six time at
bat he crashed out four blows and
a triple in the second frame in the sf
ternoon game, scoring Eph Milan and
Crane. His pegging is still unsteady
though, and he worked in few bad
throws TO the bases
The score by innings OF yesterday
afternoons game. r. II. T.
First team 0IO $40 OO-S 10 :
. Second team. O22 900 O5-9 II
Batteries-Jamnson, Dumont and
Henry; Ayes, Thomas, Flaherty and
Charity.