New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-08
Yanks Battle
With Brooklyn
Men Tomorrow
Warming-Up Game for
Season Scheduled for
Ebbets Field

The spring series between the New
York Americans and the Brooklyn Ma
tionals if played at all-will be limit
ed TO one dash, sudden death. i had
been planned to make it two best out
Of three. but rain Friday caused a can
collation. Of the proposed opening at
Ebbets Field, and yesterdays weather
appeared too fraught with chill laden
gales TO risk the constitutions Of the
million and more dollars worth Of hui
man flesh and blood that would have
been called into action if game had
been played.
The fact that this years intercity
title will hinge on one game should not
detract from the worth Of to-morrow's
entertainment at Ebbets Field. This
will be positively the last opportunity
for "Wild BIZ" Donovan 10 align his ar
ray before the Yankees are called upon
10 face the worlds champion Red SoN
in the seasons opening at the Polo
/ Grounds Wednesday,
4 Dress Rehearsal
Donovan intends 20 make a sort OF
dress rehearsal Of the affair. lie viii
send his pitching selection the full
route and will use the lineup that is
TO face Boston in the curtain raiser.
Uncle Vnbert Robinson is in much
the same boat as is Donovan. Both
these managers had counted upon a
zane yesterday as most advantageous
for working the pitchers who would be
asked TO shoulder opening day burdens
This convenience has been denied. how
ever. To-morroT's game, only two days
ahead of the league opening, would not
hermit OF pitchers engaged 20 rest up
suGicieptlv for service " ednes day.
IL il generally understood that Dono-
van 10 Counting upon Ray Caldwell for
oncuinr dav. and that Uncle Robbie IN
tords "a start the veteran JACK Coombs
against the right-handcd hitting Phlla-
dclnhia club. Neither Of these pitchers
;s Ikcly 10 figure prominently in to-
morrow's battle. though both may pitch
an inning or TWO as a sort OF "Arh-uP
for the big show. $50, -.
Yankees. who were loaned 10 the Bos-
ton National second team, WI! report
IN the Yankees at Newark this alter
noon.
L. i d s
game al Fbbets Field viii determine
whether or not Fritz snail start jhe
season nj second base for my cluD,
said Donovan yesterday, .,u.,,
"Fritz looked fine at Macon Nv I'D
Rip continued. "When We started
through the brush towns he didn't look
ca fine. I'm inclined TO think his fall
ing of was due to the poor diamonds
on which we were forced to play.
Fritz on Probation
"I'm going TO see what he can do at
the patrol up here, where there can
nc no excuses. Just remember that he
and not Gedcou Is on probation. J
lrov what Gcdcon can do. There's no
better fielding second bascman in the
country than Joe. ] think he can hlt
TOO though ne hasn't Nalsels speed
or base running ability. lie was sick
most Of last year.
"Johnny Evers. Of the Braves, who
ought 20 know second baseman,
"Wild Bill" went on, "bawled me out for
not keeping Gedeon at the keystone
throughout the training trip. The Tro-
ian thinks Joe just about the niftiest
thing going at this position. Gedeon
was the brightest star OF the All-Amer-
lean collection that played against
Fyers and the All-Nationals in tour
10 the Panama. Pacific Exposition in the
winter of l9l5-l6.
"l'm not worrying bit about the
position." continued Donovan. speed
is u wonderful attribute 90 modern
baseball success. All things else even
Naisel would be the better man for us
But Il Fritz should fan down Gedeou
could step right IN and assure the
Yanks' inheld as great defensive
strength as any inner line in the game
Normally. he should add to the Of
fensive strength as well The team
packs terrific wsllop, no matter who