Evening star., 1917-03-11

the workouts next week will be pre-
vented on account of bad weather.
OF the twenty-seven players eligible
to get into a championship game now
here every one is in splendid condi-
tion except Harry Harper. and he feels
sure he will be able to toe the mark in
shape for work when time for the
season to open rolls around.
Manager Griffith's driving tactics
have had their effect on the players.
and not quite so much pep" was in
evidence today at either the morning
or afternoon sessions as there was
yesterday. although it must be said
showed considerably more life than
the veterans The latter are some
what stiff and sore from the two hard
periods of work given them. and al
though Nick Altrock and Griff himself
kept after them today. there was a
noticeable absence of the dash that
characterized their movements yester-
day.
Practically IDEAL weather prevailed to-
day, the sun being good and warm and
the wind of yesterday not being in
evidence at all. The regulars all
showed the benefit they derived from
the first batting practice by meeting
the ball squarely although somewhat
hampered in their movements by the
soreness of muscles which have been
dormant all winter. The" outfielders
Rice, Milan and Smith. are demonstrat-
ing that there is nothing wrong with
their batting lamps, and Shanks also
is hitting the ball hard. Eddie Foster
already is practicing at place hitting,
for which he has an enviable reputa-
tion. Each of the men is allowed to
hit two balls in practice and Foster in
variably hit the first into left field
and the second to right. Eddie is not
hitting them far, but is getting good
hold on the ball and sending it on a line
over the infield. Shanks is hitting
them on the nose to all corners. giving
the outfielders a chase nearly every
time he comes to bat.
Those of the players who expected
Manager Griffith to be ''all ir' from his
strenuous eXertions of yesterday were
considerably surprised when the pilot
got on the job again today and went
through just as hard course of work.
He was out on the diamond for nearly
four hours again today directing the
work of the pitchers and knocking the
ball around to both sets of infielders.
In addition he went into the box and
pitched a few balls in the morning.
Griff admitted he felt the work he has
been doing. but said he was going to
keep at it until he gets all the sore
ness worked out. He is game to the
core and does not want player on
his team who is not. He assuredly is
&
Ray Morgan and Doc Ayers were the
only two men, aside from the manager
and Nick Altrock. to work out with both
squads. The performance of the latter
since arriving here is even more remark
able than that of the manager, consider
ing the fact that he is not in nearly as
good trim as Griffith. carrying A lot OF
superfiuous weight. Nick invariably is
the first man on the field and the last
to leave it and in addition to warming
M the pitchers and bunting to them he
plays first. snags flies in the outfield
and does considerable fungo hitting to
chase the twirlers around in the garden.
Ainsmith and Eubanks did all the
catching for the second squad at morn
ing practice yesterday, practically the
same program as the day before being
gone through. Shaw, Humphries
Flaherty and Ayers each pitched to the
batters for about fifteen minutes. The
latter. in addition to the catcher, in
cluded Judge, Morgan. Crane SAWYER.
Moran, Menosky, Horace Milan and
Berry. Following this Griff hit the ball
around TO the infield, Sawyer playing
third and both Crane and Moran short.
with Morgan at second and Judge on
first Sawyer and Judge were the most
active members of the quintet the for
mer pulling some of the acrobatic work
for which he has become famous Judge
is as fast as a streak this spring and
from his actions gives the impression
that he is in earnest about making
Shanks hustle to take his job away
from him. Menosky continued the ter
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