The Washington herald., 1917-04-06
TO PLAY
THE PHILLES TODAY
Grlfmen Battle Quakers in First Exhi-
bition Game of Series in Norfolk.

I
The first squad of the Nationals. under
the leadership of Capt. George Mcbride.
hopped aboard the Norfolk and Washing
ton river liner at o'clock last night,
hound for Norfolk. Va, where the first
exhibition game OF series of three will
be held today with Pat Moran's Philadel-
phia Nationals.
The Old Fox did not make the trip
with the club, and today he will put the
fannlgans through long practice ses-
sion. Pitchers Mollie Craft and George
Du Mont will work in the game today
against the Phillies. while Eddie Ain
smith and Eddie Charity will do the re-
ceiving. George Mcbride will hold down
the short field position with the club,
| while Joe Judge was sent along to play
| first base.
The balance Of the team viii be made
up of Foster at second base, Joe Leonard
at third. and Elmer Smith, Clyde Milan.
and Sammy Rice in the outfield posi-
tions.
weather Indications wired to the Old
FOX last night claim that prospects for
the playing OF the game today are good.
After the battle both teams will jump the
O'Clock boat to Washington. where the
second exhibition game with the Pbillies
Is scheduIed TO be held at the Florida
avenue stadium tomorrow.
AS the Phillies are rated as one of
the best teams ever collared in President
Teners circuit, the Nationals will be
given real test in these contests. The
games with the Cincinnati club which
were played on the transforming trip
were little too early in the season to
really get line on the ability of the
Nationals. but this three-cornered affair
with the Quaker City CROWD is sure to
come somewhere near deciding the real
value of the local aggregation.
walter johnson and Jimmy Shaw are
slated TO do the hurting against the
Phillies in the contest here Saturday.
ABOUT the same lineup which made
the trip to Norfolk will be used by
the Old Fox in the contest against Joe
Tinker's Columbus club on Sunday.
Uncle Nick Altrock made the trip with
| the regulars yesterday and will also be
taken on the Columbus trip Sunday.
The Old Fox was smiling last night
when he announced that DR.. P. Ed
! ward Larkin. the clubs physician.
claims that Harry Harper's shoulder
was not seriously affected from the
blow that he received by a pitched ball
last fall. Harper has been suffering
with a sore arm all spring. but since
the x-rays did not show any broken
bones, Manager Griffith is confident
that he can round him into form with
in the next few days. Harper will be
ready for the sound OF the opening
gong. as he is fast rounding into his
old-time condition, and should win
many games for the Nationals this
season.
The balance of the Nationals squad
that did not make the trip to Norfolk
last night will report at the American
League Park bright and early today to
jump into the military drill. Although
Corporal Dean arrived here Wednes-
day night, no drill was-held yesterday
because of the wet condition of the
grounds, but the Old Fox is anxious to
get the athletes once more interested
in preparedness and will hustle them
into action this morning.
Cuba" Acosta wired the Old Fox
yesterday that he had left for Wash
iugton and is expected to report at any
time