New-York tribune., 1918-04-19

fnally able to start the season at the
The postposement at the Polo Grounds
.,s severe blow to both the New
york and Brooklyn managements. In
i. two games already played at the
| pn,sh Stadium both the Giants and
| rodeers showed a pronounced lack of
r;,ehing efficiency. McGraw and Rob-
;irson both escribe these ills to the
vr limited training season permitted
n National League managers. A rule
award economy adopted this spring
! syes maximum training period of
. four weeks.
uitehers appeared equal to more than
very few innings at top speed. with
| ,he exception of Jess Barnes and Jack
. foombs. who figured in a real old fash
| ;oned duel in the second game of the
cries. The others are short of work,
fact which their bosses readily ad-
nit There is only one way to remedy
his evil That is in hard practice
hoth morning and afternoon. An idle
d,y with the pitchers off form means
further setback. The veterans, of
course, may be expected to suffer more
/ rreatlg than the colts. And when it is
. remembered that the veterans will be
i depended upon to carry the banner in
| he early battles one can easily appre-
cate the disappointment of postpone
usnts at this particular time.
Woes in Younger League
As q matter of fact, pitching woes
10 not appear to be confined to the
heal National League clubs. In the
. hi games played in both circuits so
| i,r really high class box work has
Men the great exception. The Red Sox
. tsirlers, always among the very top
nsehers, have done better than any
| s.hers as a staff. Carl Mays just
| missed no-hit game against the Ath-
ls;ies, which would have been a strik-
ing triumph for this early season.
D,M Ruth also pitched a creditable
zane, but Dutch Leonard was hit hard.
He usually is a fine early spring
| pitcher.
Elsewhere tremendous hitting rallies
| and high scores have cropped out with
striking frequency. Teams supposedly
| weak with the willow have been hit
! ling in double figures Or close to it.
The Yankees had the hardest kind of a
time to take the big end of three
| game series from the supposedly weak
hitting Senator's. 1t was not that Griff
beasts powerful punch at attack;
| Huggins's box men are far off GUS
onary form.
The outlook for game this after
moon at the Polo Grounds was anything
bu! reassuring late last night. The
playing field last evening was in a de-
plcrable condition. 1t raned very hard
~ in that section of the town, flooding
he outfeld couple of inches deep.
Nothing but high wind or exception
ally bright sun is likely to put the plot
IN condition for play by this afternoon.
II it should rain this morning the
Nothing Doing" sign doubtless will be
nung out before noon.
! In case CT another postponement to-
day two members of the Dodgers will
be particularly disappointed. These
are Manager Wilbert Robinson and
southpaw Rube Marquard. Uncle Rob-
be is anxious to take the measure of
Tie champions at least once before he
soves to other scenes of activity, while
the Rube is determined to square ac-
s'unts with the Giants for the rough
Asa!ment he received in the first inn
as Of the opening game. Robbie had
a'snded to use Marquard yesterday
I'D to send Burleigh Grimes after the
slants to-day. If game is played
lals afternoon Grimes doubtless will
served for the opening clash at
siladelphia. The Phillies, as usual,
"a pretty strongly to right handed
atsers.
Areal line on the offensive strength
Miller Huggins's scrappy Yankees
s'oaid be had by the time the Amer
aa Leaguers return for their home
ssang at the Polo Grounds, next
asdnesday afternoon. The New York
aseneans to-day shift from Washing
70 % Boston to engage the Red Sox
i've ! Ms games in four playing days.
e'snei Ruppert's club has appeared to
'sss!lent advantage both at Washing
g and in the spring exhibition tour
no the Boston Braves. The only ap-
'sat weakness lies within the hurl-
fas corps, and this is a condition which
s.. ~ easily be adjusted by continuous
'''''ce and good weather.
huggins Needs Pitchers
~ paper the staff does not appear
sss one by any means. Because of
sailstments Of Ray Fisher and Bob
1ey and the transfer of Nick Gull
a. aad Urban Shocker to the Browns,
sssas Is left pretty short handed, so
veteran pitching talent goes.
.,n;.s mi as nSs a number Of promising re-
4. "a. these develop spring train
Z Premise they may be nurgcd along
.s aa 'ae Old fellows in a manner to
very satisfactory results.
issxsssi punch in attack, as mas been
~ ss.,sd' s' was displayed by the Yank-
.saahs, the Braves and Senator'S.
sss =. . n"ailop continues up at the Hub
ms local fans viii have reason
s.,s ,spses lot Of high class entertain
lii Ton. rom the Huggins aggregation
n - essoh. boston's pitchers, as usual,
sa w 'ae great dependence Of the
sIsssa.. sn. 100, II the Yankees escape in
~ n weather in Back Bay to-day
ua srsy oegin 10 hope that Huggins
sr ,tay succeeded in eluding the
Asssass ~ mas 30 reIigiously pursued
sta. ~ iorx American League forces
IN shy years.. For this il Patriots
sss ss ~ OF the very best holiday
! Asy 80 me boston season. Patrjotg'
rns.. ounker Hill Day in the City
ssss. =. generally furnish better
On NJ man Independence Day or
vi fl. Games are scheduled for
morning and afternoon.
aSsdan' aSesdsa aaraans, the dashing Cuban
s.ss;r,. seefns either particularly
'sssssiiip,1nased 'sssssiip s'lsed Or Indifferent 10 his
NE i.,. .usare; The Cuban gardener,
" TX @ way broken shortly after he
ssjssla' l'n st. Louis last summer.
tasIns.,. % report to Hugzins at
kssxS,gss iast honday. He is still
Syty MiAHiHN Il