The Washington herald., 1917-02-03
CHICAGO SANDLOTTER
is signed BY GRIFF
John T. Berry. Winner of Johnson's
World Series Prize, Cast Lot
with Nationals.

John T. Berry, a Chicago amateur ball
player, yesterday signed a contract with
the Nationals for the season of 1917. Berry
Is a right-hand pitcher, is years of age.
weighing about $50 pounds. The Chicago
sandlotter Is the best amateur ball tosser
developed in the Windy City" last sea-
son, and has on various occasions played
the infield position.
Berry won the prize offered by Ban B.
Johnson, president of the American
League. for being considered the best
amateur player in the Chicago amateur
ranks last season. johnson sent the Chi
cago sandlotter to the world series, and
II was while watching the Brooklyn and
Red SoX battle for top honors that Man
ager Griffith obtained his word to play
with the Nationals.
Berry will report In the Augusta train
ing camp with the first squad on March
and the "Old Fox believes that II he
Is as good as touted he will have a grand
chance of sticking with the Griffmen
during the 1917 campaign.
Nick Altrock, known to all youngsters
who join the Washington club as Uncle
Nick" regards Manager Clark Griffith
as one of the wisest pilots in baseball
Not long after hooking up with the local
tossers the famous comedian nicknamed
the Old Fox Teacher" and from the old
est veteran uOWn TO lIlc newest yOuUgSltE
this name of Teacher" hangs to Griff
like any of the non de plumes handed
prominent athletes.
But during each year that the Old Fox
has been with the local club It appears
as il the nickname Teacher is more
truth than poetry, as Manager Griffith
Is always willing to give any youngster
a chance and is always willing TO teach
the sandlotter the inside dope" OF the
game.
Griff has always been a staunch be-
lever in the development of young ball
Players. He is always willing to take
a chance on a youngster coming through,
and has time and again given sani-
lOtters from different sections a chance
with the local club. That Griff still in
tends developing a few players during
the present season can be seen by the
number of youngsters he will ship off to
the Augusta training camp on February
Y
Two local players OF sandlot fame will
be included in this party. these being
Eddie Flaherty, the big right-hand hur-
Ter, and Mike Moran. the sensational
short fielder of the Rosedale club. With
the addition of young Berry to this string
of youngsters, local fans that are be-
levers in the development of youngsters
will have plenty to occupy their atten-
ton this spring.
@. NJ. Barry. the owner Of the Norfolk
club, OF the Virginia League. who quietly
visited the Old Fox Thursday afternoon
was not only seeking ball players. but
was also looking for a playing manage :
Although the Old Fox could not see
where he could cut any OF his veterans
loose 20 take the reigns OF the Norfolk
club. he helped out Barry by recommend
ing ''Wid'' Conroy. the Nationals old
third sacker and outfielder who last sea-
son piloted the Elmira, N. Y. club.
Barry not only considered Conroy, but
was In touch with two local men who
were former big league players. and 1t
would not be surprising II one OF these
local athletes land the Job. as pilot of
the Sea Gulls.