Evening star., 1918-02-24
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

OxI4N 4Ax14N AAAS&AAA SSAs'
Unless the calculations of the
best Informed military authori-
ties are upset by a sudden ending
of the war Sam Rice will not
play base ball this year.
Rice's recent letter to John
Henry in which he told his former
feammate that he was consider
ing joining the Navy, followed
by the report. subsequently de-
MED. that he had enlisted at the
Great Lakes naval training sta
ton. coming on top OF his sign
ing a contract for this season, and
in view of his failure to notify
Manager Griffith OF what his in
tentions were, left the players
exact status a matter of doubt.
To clear the situation Rice was
asked by wire to announce where
he stood. The telegram present
ed above is his reply.
Sans dispatch is the first authentic
information that has been forthcoming
on the-to Washington fans-al-im-
portant question of whether he will be
available for service with the Grinmen
this year. He is definite on the point
that he will forego base ball entirely
in 1918, but despite his unqualified de-
cision Manager Griffith is not convinced
that Sam will be recorded absent when
the curtain goes up for the big show
at the Georgia avenue grounds April
Is.
Loss of Rice, the only 800 hitter on
the local outfit and player wfnp rap
idly is developing into one of the best
outfelders in the game. would be the
hardest blow the Nationals could suffer,
with one exception-the failure OF Wal
ter johnson to don a local uniform.
The departure of Rice would leave a
hole in the outfield next to impossible
to plug satisfactorily. in addition to
robbing the team of it's strongest single
offensive factor. With Sam out of it
the Gri6men would just about say
goodbye to all hopes for first division
berth, whereas with him on the job.
aided by Milan and Shotten. the team
place in the money in the champion
ship race. provided no serious inroads
are made on the remainder of the per-
sonneL.
Why Grif Is Optimistic.
Manager Grifith's refusal to believe
Rice is fost to the team is based on the
fact that it may be months before he
1T am more than hopeful that Rice
will play at least a part of the season
with the Washington team, notwith-
standing the telegram he sent you"
what similar to that of Lavan. The
latter has passed his examinations and
received his commission as an officer
in the U. S. Naval Reserve. but has not
been summoned for service and may
not be for some months yet. Lavan is
due here tomorrow to discuss the sal
ary question with me and / feel sure
he will sign contract before returning
to st. Louis.
In regard to Rice. I think it as sig
nihcant that he says he has decided to
play no ball this year for the reason
that he is in class 1 of the draft and
expects to be called at any time. As
understand it, thecall for the first quota
for the second National Army. shortly
to be made. will be for only about 10
per cent of the number ultimately re-
quired, these men to take the places of
those sent abroad and with additional
men called out only when room has
been made for them at the cantonments
by the sending of still more men to
France Unless he happens to be in
cluded in the first batch summoned this
spring there is no definite knowledge
as to when he actually will be called
upon to go into training for the Army.
1t may be June, or later.
Rice already is under contract to play
this year. If his call to shoulder a gun
Is not Forthcoming until some time next
summer is he going to remain idle in
the meantime for no good reason and
with nothing to be gained by it? I do
not think SO. If Rice's turn to join the
Army comes before the ball season
opens h, will not play ball, that's as
sured. But if by the time the race gets
under way Rice still is awaiting the
call to the colors he will be found in our
outfeld. to remain there until Uncle
Same decides he is needed for the big
ger game. OF that / feel certain.
Howard Shanks Accepts Terms.
Slowly and singly. but surely withal,
coming to realization that back
wardness in getting in line for the 1918
campaign is not going to rebound to
, the benefit of their pocketbooks. The
latest of the Clan Griffith to see the
light is Howard Shanks of Monaco.
Pa, outfielder, first baseman, third
Sacker ana SnOrISt0p or the Capital
crew, and Eddie Ainsmith's only rival
among local players for high note
honors in the league of tenors. Shanks
has not signed his contract as yet. but
in a letter received yesterday Hank
assured his boss the figures submitted
to him were satisfactory and that the
document. duly executed. would be for
warded in good time. Howard is the
fifteenth Grinman to get in line
Eleven remain to be heard from.