The Washington times., 1917-03-24
GREFF DISSATISFIED
WITH SHAW'S WORK
Pitcher Must Improve on Show
ing Against Birmingham
to Hold Job.
RICE PLAYS FIRST BASE
Shanks Unable to Handle Feet
Properly Around Initial
Corner.
RICE PLAYS FIRST BASE
Nv LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 24.-Jim
Shaw is far from being in condition
to face major league pitching in
championship game, IL his work
against the Birmingham Barons yes
terday means anything. The big
Ptttsburgher was as wild as a hawk,
having the greatest trouble in getting
his fast ball to break properly. Man
aEer Griffith was far from satisfied
with Shaw's performance and didn't
hesitate to tell him, either.
- Shaw started the game and in the
three innings he worked allowed three
hits, two OF them doubles by Doc
Johnston and Daddy Clarke. His wild
pitch In the opening inning allowed
Johnston to reach third base and
later cross the plate. In the second
session he went insane, issuing three
passes in a row and forcing another
run for the home boys.
shaw Must Improve.
Shaw's future as a Griffman rests
largely on what he does on this trip,
especially on his showing against the
Cincinnati Reds. He will have to i'm
prove considerably il he hopes to
hang on. Wildness of the Shaw va
rIety does not belong in the American
League.
> Manager Griffith turned a new
trick, too, when without warning he
sent Sam Rice to first base and had
Hank Shanks go to right field. When
asked for the reason of the shift, he
said. "Oh, just wanted to see what
Rice could do at first base" Though
the Old Fox won't discuss the matter
to any extent II is surmised that
Shanks has not made good at the in
itial sack. The Monacan at Augusta
had great dioculty keeping his feet
on the bag, and frequently his atten-
ton was called to this weakness.
However, It was not thought that he i
would be taken off first base in favor
of Rice. The latter has not hitherto
done any playing there, but he may
be seen there before long. In yester-
days game at Birmingham he acquit-
ted himself well enough, though no
hard chances came his way.
Weak Hitting shown.
The same old type Of weak hitting
was shown by the Griffs against the
Barons. Six blows were chauxed up
for the big leaguers. Doubles by
Leonard and Smith and a single by
Sam Rice drove over two taI1ies in
the eighth inning, giving the Wash
ington club the game 4 to ..
Arthur Johnson, a typical busher,
held the enemy hitless during the |
three frames he toiled on the mound |
So did his namesake, the renowned
Coneyville farmer. Black, a big south |
paw, was on the rubber when the big
lesguers settled the contest.
Jameson Was Lucky.
Charlie Jamieson's slow ball fooled |
the Barons, but he had luck with him,
the slowness OF the infeld keeping |
several drives from going for safeties. |
Jameson depends almost wholly on |
allow ball and a splitter Manager
Griffith seems to think the little fell |
low may get away with that in the |
big show, but much remains to be. |
seen.
President Baugh, Of the Southern |
League, was an interested spectator OF |
the game. He had never seen Walter |
johnson and he delighted in the thor
ough workmanship of Washington's |
pride and joy. The Southern League |
mogul also enjoyed the exhibition Of Nick |
Altrock. who put in a busy afternoon |
@NNP-Ab ZIG large crowd Laughing. Al L
times the fans forgot the ball game to |
watch the comedian at work
Smith Makes Ringer.
Elmer Smith tore of championship
catch in the sixth inning when he
raced across the foul line and seized
Haworth's foul fly with his gloved hand.
The feat took speed and absolute ac-
curacy, for Smith got the ball back
handed. He was loudly applauded by
the fans.
Two games are scheduled here. To-
Gay the Southern Leaguers are TO be
played, Dumont and Thomas facing
them. Tomorrow sthe first clash with
the Cincinnati Reds is on the card, with
Shaw and Johnson performing. A bet
ter line on the abilities of the Griffmen
should be obtained by the games with
Matty's athletes than with those against
minor leaguerers. Right now, there is
much room for Improvement.