The Washington times., 1917-04-08
MENOSKY TO HAVE
REAL TRIAL TODAY
Facing Clarendon Team, His
Work At First Base Will Be
Given Attention.
LINEUP REMAINS IN DARK
Manager Griffith Says Outlook
Is Satisfactory and Players
Are In Condition.
ny LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

ny LOUIS A. BOUCHER.
whether or not Mike Menosky is
worth continued experimenting as q
nrst baseman is expected to be deter
mined by his work today at Claren-
don against the Alexandria County A.
A outht Sharp eyes will watch the
youngster, seeking to ascertain his
possibilities
Manager Griffith is far from salts
fed with either Joe Judge or Hank
Shanks as first basemen. Sam Rice,
doing his best, cannot learn how to
play the first corner in a week or so.
But Rice's heavy hitting makes him
necessity in the lineup, and it is this
same ability with the fail that causes
Menosky to be tried out as a first
baseman.
II Menosky displays any latent
skill around the initial sack, he will
be sent through a course Of sprouts
calculated to make him a major
Lacquer in that position. II, by any
luck, he Is able to play there this sea-
son, the Griffmen will have the heav-
iest-hitting club in years.
Play This Afternoon.
The Washington Yannigans meet
misht team being sent against the
virEinians owing to the absence of so
many players in Columbus. However,
Manager Jones' team should find
plenty of trouble winning from the
Yanigans.
Manager Griffith did not accom-
pany his team to Columbus. He gave
command to Capt. George. Mcbride,
and II things break right, will be in
G arendon today looking over Mike
Menosky under fire. He thinks this
is of more value TO him just now.
Walter johnson and Jim Shaw are
carded to face Joe Tinker's team to-
day. Tomorrow Molly Craft and
George Du Mont will climb the hill
against Pat Moran's Phillies. Then
Gag goes up at Shibe Park Wednes-
day.
Team still Undecided.
With but two more days to go be-
fore the major league campaign opens
for 1917, Manager Griffith is still un-
decided as to his regular lineup. not
so much for the first game as for the
season.
Joe Judge will be. at first base
against right-handed pitching and
Shanks will be there II a southpaw is
chosen to oppose the Griffs. That is
for the opening of the campaign, but
both Sam Rice and Mike Menosky re
main possibilities for the berth.
Mcbride will start at shortstop, but
Sam Crane is lowering around in the
shadow, waiting for a chance.
Morgan IL CIamorinE.
Ray Morgan is cIamoring, not by
word OF mouth, but by power of his
deeds, for a place in the lineup, and
may yet land there. Morgan's supe,
rior hitting, especially in the spring,
makes him a formidable opponent for
Leonard, Mcbride, and Crane.
II Leonard falls of in his work at
the hot corner, Foster may be shifted
over to let Morgan play second base,
the position he occupied at this time
last year.
II Mcbride loses out, Morgan may
be given q trial at shortstop, where he
played in the bushes before coming
to Washington. In any event, it will
not be well for any OF those inheIders
70 falter with Morgan close behind.
Play Pills TomOrrow.
Tomorrow at Georgia avenue the
Griffs will play the PhiIs for the last
time. Eppa Rixey, former Virginia
University twirler, is expected to per-
form for three or four innings, fol-
lowed by Erskine Mayer, the Phillies'
qnderhand pitcher.
Tuesday the home boys will hold
their military drill and their morn
Ing practice. The afternoon will be
spent in preparing for the getaway,
as the whole team will leave at Z
o'clock for Philadelphia. As usual,
the Grihmen will stay at the Majestic
Hotel
Wednesday the big league seasons
open, with the Washington club fac
ing the rejuvenated Mackmen at
Shibe Park. The Yankees will oppose
the worlds champion Red Sox.
Outlook IL Pleasing.
"The outlook for this season Is
pleasing" says Manager Griffith.
"Our training season has been q COM
plete success, and We are ready for
the bell. II is true that We lack
capable left-hand pitching right now
but Harper will soon be ready to take
his turn on the rubber, and Jameson
80 not far behind him.
Although frequently credited with
claiming pennants, l never do claim
any. and ] don't now. But do be
lieve that my team, II it gets any
kind OF luck. will play good baseball,
and that's what the fans want-gOod
baseball.
"AIl Is harmony on my ball club.
Everybody is working for the vel
fare OF the team. We're ready, tell
the fans, to do our best, and our best
should bring many victories"