Evening star., 1918-04-05
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

| ATLANTA. Ca. April 5.-n fitness Of
the battery men alone could bring it about
| the Nationals would be assured Of getting
| of to a flying start in the league race.
There is nothing wrong in any particu-
lar with the backstops. both Ainsmith
and Charity having shown by their work
thus far that they are fit for the Cruel
| ing struggle ahead. Furthermore. five
of the nine pitchers on the roster are
! ready to go the route. By their work in
| the games here johnson, Harper and
Ayers have demonstrated that it only
will be necessary for them to mark time
for the clash of the gong April Is.
Jim Shaw, the other member OF & the
ton this season, is a little below form be
cause of the weeks interruption in MS
training at Augusta, due to sore arm
sub for him until the Pittsburgher is
ready, however. and with ten days more
to prepare. the famous rabbit hunter may
not need an understudy when the big snow
gets under way. Both Shaw and Du Mont
will be tested today as Johnson. Harper
and Ayers have been. There is little doubt
but that Du Mont will emerge with flying
colors, as he Is in tip-top physical shape
time since he Joined the team--and that
is saying a good deal, as he looked
mighty good the early part Of last sea-
son. Shaws arm is not as strong as "
will be- but he should be able to travel
at fast pace for about three innings.
AL Waldbauer is another now able TO
toe the mark and show all his stun.
This youngster has remarkable lot OF
for a boy scarcely out of his teens,
Yingling is not far advanced as
could be wished, but he habitually is a
slow starter and as long as there Is
4. t. Ir,rr 1%a ~
pected to attain his best playing shape
within two or three weeks. Joe Engel
is working hard and getting good re-
suits, but will not be pushed for rear
of sustaining a setback. Molly CRAFTS
physical condition is all that could be
desired and he is having no trouble
with his arm, but seems to have con-
siderable difficulty in fooling opposing
batsmen. Craft now is entering upon
his third season with the Grinmen. He
naturally Is q much better fielder than
when he first Joined the team and ha 8
learned many of the fine points of the
pitching art, but his actual work on
the mound does not seem to have i'm
lys principal deficiency is lack Of
speed. Although coached constantly to
lengthen his stride and get more of
the weight of his body into his delivery
he is unable to buzz the ball through
the way he should. Craft has a nice
curve and fairly good control, but to
prove successful in the majors he
should be able on occasion to bust 'em
by the batter, and this is something
Craft is unable to do. Manager Griffith
has not lost hope of Craft making good
and he says he has hunch the young
ster will do it this year. but then Griff
has the reputation of being the most
optimistic pilot in base ball.
The manager has carefully thought
out program of work for his pitchers
to have them in prime shape for the
tap of the bell. Shaw and Du Mont will
divide duty in the game with the
Crackers this afternoon, and tomorrow
at Chattanooga Harper will pitch for
six innings, with Waldbauer finishing
up. In the Sabbath game at the Ten
nessee metropolis johnson will perform
for at least five frames, when Yingling
probably will be sent into take up the
burden. Ayers is listed to go against
the Crackers on the return game, which
will be played here next Monday. and
Harper is expected to be picked to face
the Philadelphia Nationals at Columbia,
S. c.. Tuesday.
Johnson will get a final long work-out