Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-25
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.


AUGUSTA, Ga. March 25.-Smau as
h Grifiith's squad, numbering only
twenty-five players, it is to be still
further reduced. Before the players re-
turn from their sojourn in Dixieland
there may be not more than an even
score of athletes in the troupe. One OF
the first to depart probably will be
June Cass. the little outfielder obtained
from the Des Moines club of the West
ern League Not that Cass has failed
TO indicate enough promise for his re-
tention. The youngster neither has nor
has not made good. as far as can be
Judged by the little opportunity offered
by the one week he has been perform
ing under the eye of the manager
The decision Grin has just about
reached in regard to Cass is based on
the fact that he is in class l of the
draft and his number in the order OF
liability is so low. being in the first 400,
that there is no assurance he would be
able to remain with the Grifmen more
than a month or two, much less the en-
tire season. If retained the Washing
ton club would have to pay $4,000 for
Cass under the agreement with Des
Aoines, and the pilot figures 1t would
be poor business policy in these lean
days to she'll out all that money for a
youth yet to demonstrate his class, eS-
pecially when he is liable to be sum-
noned for Army service within a short
time, possibly only a few weeks OF
course, il Cass showed the earmarks of
Becoming a player of the first rank. one
capable of displacing either Shotton.
Milan or Rice right at the jump. Grih
would willingly write out check for
the amount due in payment and take a
chance on getting $4,000 worth of serv-
ice from him in whatever period of
time he was permitted to remain with
the club, but as far as can be judged
from the six days of practice INDUCED
IN here. Cass is a good fielder, with a
fair arm and considerable speed on the
paths, but rather a doubtful prospect as
Gar as batting is concerned.
In the first place. Cass is a southpaw
4ticker. although throwing in ortho-
dox manner, and the Washington club
this year has superabundance of play
ers who face pitchers on the first base
side of the platter. Secondly. the Iowan
meet-'em" boys, unlikely to turn in
any extra base wallops, despite his
speed afoot, while what Griffith is look
ing for is an outfielder of the cleanup
type, able to exercise the enemy's out
delders in chasing his drives.
The Nationals will. Of course. not en-
ter the race with only three outf1eld-
ers, as would be the case were Cass re-
lcaSeQ anu no one OOldInSQ IN MS stead
Grin will have to fortify himself
against possible illness or injury to
one Of his regulars and will keep an
eye open for a right-handed hitting
outhelder Of the 1arruping variety. one
Ct the same time not eligible for mill
tary service.
sRice, Milan and Shotton all bat left
handed, and. with Judge also swinging
his mace from the port side half. of the
eight players in the game every day
1bur will be hitting left-handed, with
Ave as the number on occasions when
e4ther Harper or Yingling is oficiat-
ing in the box.
Where Grin is to get a gardener who
neasures up to his specifications is
but if the International
hague fails to start one may be OBJ
TUNED from that organization If not,
~ viii look to one Of the other numer-
ops circuits which will not do business
tAts season on account Of conditions
hgought about by the war. That he
VII have to pick up an outf1elder some
Haare Is assured. for although Shanks
- fully capable or filing In anywhere
in the pasture, Hank is needed for DOS
s5b5e emergency service in the inner
works. George Mcbride being the only