The Washington times., 1917-03-02
Tiger Not Wanted at Augusta
+ If Seeking Only to Improve
His Batting.
RAIN eREETS GRIFFMEN
'tSunny South" Not Very Sunny
In Neighborhood Of Train
ing City.
By LOUIS A. DoUGHER.\ \

AUGUSTA. Ga, March fly Cobb.
the Georgia Peach. who hopes to enjoy
three weeks Of practice with the Grin.
men. may md It not so easy to turn
this trick. There seems q well defined
theory here that all he wants Is batting
practice.
II he declines to take his turn in the
fielding drills every day, but insists on
hitting all the Washington pitchers, he
may find himself shut out Of the camp.
Cobb is in good condition now. He
visited the Albion yesterday, calling
upon the players. who had Just arrived
in town from Washington. He extended
to them the freedom Of the city. in
which he now lives. invited them out to
see him play golf on the Bon Air links.
and then promised to be around as soon
a. the batting practice began.
Cobb does not expect to report to the
Detroit club until March q BY re-
naming here until that time he would
be able to be with the Griffmen through
out all their spring training trip. For
several other reasons besides Cobb's
willingness to hit and not do any field
ing, it may be impossible for him to
remain in the camp.
1t Is unlikely that the Old Fox will
want Cobb. a member of his league enc
mics. the Detroit Tigers, to get much Of
q line upon the actions Of his players,
especially Of his pitchers. This whole
matter Will be decided finally as soon
as Manager Griffith comes down from
the Capitol with the remainder of his
SQUAD next week
Mike Martin has mapped out q course
ofeprouts that will not call for much
hard work until Monday. He wants
the pitchers to improve their wind
and strengthen their arms before try
ing any real pitching. 1t will take
several days before they will be
ready for the opposing batsmen.
Rain accompanied by a high cold
wind prevented the first days work
out for the Washington battery can
didates. 1t is unlikely that the ath-
letes will be able to begin their
training until tomorrow. Today most
of the players journeyed to the ball
park to complete all their necessary
arrangements for the daily practice
sessions, and then returned to the
hotel.
John T. BerI, the Chicago semi
pro pitcher, is another addition of |
Ed. Charity, and while he says
nothing, he is going to work his |
hardest to make an impression on
the Old Fox.
1t is quite like old times for the /
Griffmen to find rain awaiting them /
at their training camp. It rained. in
spells all day yesterday and blew
UP cold at night. The outlook today
is for more rain, followed by clear
ing and warmer weather.
The ball park to be used by the big
lesguers during their stay here is in
fair condition, the grass coming up
prettily in the outheld. The Augusta
club has torn down its old grand
stand and is now erecting a new one
The fence has also been demolished
and SO anybody who wishes will be
able to watch the daily drill.
Accommodations for the players in
the club house erected for their par
ticular use are all that could be de-
sired and no complaints have been
heard from the chronic kickers. With
good weather, Griffs players ought
to have little trouble in getting away
to a flying start.