New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-12
Yankees [ asst
Game IN South
Is Cancelled
Rain Blocks Contest Schcd-
uled With Braves at
Petersburg, Va.
Bv Charles A. Taylor

sETERSBJ kN, "a, ApTll IL ne
Yankees and Braves, en- route north
ward. did no. stop. did not even hes
.afe In this ba;tie-famed burg. where
~. last stand of their joint cXh hi
ION tour was 20 have been made this
.fternoon. Word reached the travel
s;ained pilgrims. while still they were
~ off. that weather conditions pre-
c,ded the fa'rtest possibility OF Il
rsme. The teams, therefore. will bea;
:. straight home from Richmond.
The weather report simply confirmed
tar, that was self-evideut from the
rsio. despatched Pullman windows and
ras welcome news to the tired attn
letes. much as they might have rel
she'd n chance 10 stretch their aching
limbs. The itinerary through the tank
towns. with their spur connections to
The army cantonments. proved very
suceessful from business office
srandnojnt. but rather nerve racking
n the temperament OF the athletes.
With the cancellation at Petersburg
enied one OF the most decidedly sue
eessful training trips q New York
American League club has ever eX-
nerienced. The weather throughout
.hs stav at Macon. Ga. barring a few
Of the early days. was ideal. This
enabled Higgins TO point his club to a
high state OF physical form by the
time the exhibition tour with the
Braves began.
Team Is In Fine Form
Barring the dislocated thumb Of little
Al Walters. the 1918 Yankees are fit
a. the proverbial fiddle, a fact that
was proven to the complete satistac-
ton of George T. Stallings and mis- Hub
mnions. Eight games of the ten planned
we're played against the Braves. and in
seven OF these the Yankees proved VIC
torious
Higgins Il first was somewhat dis
tressed over the temporary loss OF the
aggressive Walters on the eve OF the
championship. This accident, however.
now appears a blessing III disguise.
But for it. little Muddy Ruel might
not have had the opportunity TO Win
his spurs before the campaign opened.
Ruel has shown wonderful form ever
since Walters was put out of commits
sion. Indeed. he has surpassed the
best form AL displayed in the South.
His throwing has been deadly accurate
and his handling Of the pitchers simply
marvellous when it is considered that
he is but youngster breaking in.
Then, too. Ruel has hit all spring
much better than Walters. Like the
kid veteran, he is not afraid to take
chances in a pinch, and is quite as
lively backing up plays behind first
base.
Higgins is praying for fine weather
at Brooklyn. He is anxious to get in
all three games against the Dodgers,
az he hopes IN this way to get line
on the strength OF his club as com
pared TO that of the Red Sox, doped
as enc of the serious contenders Of
The American League. The ROBINS, it
is expected, will furnish a sitter fight
than did the Braves.
The fact that Brooklyn lost many
Of its games to Boston by one run
in either the ninth or overtime in
nings and that Robbie's boys braced
and took the last three straight en-
courages the Yankees TO believe they
will get their first real major league
workouts a. Ebbe.s Field and a.
Newark.
Baker Has New Daughter
Higgins regards spring exhibitions
quite as seriously as Championship
contests, and will go after the Dodgers
With the very best he has. Frank
Baker, who is at his home in Trappe
Nd, getting acquainted with young
daughter who called at his house after
he had reported 20 the team in Ma
con, may De missing from the lineup
but linn Beck is competent under
study for the homerun hitter
Higgins intends to work Ray Cald-
we'll in at least part OF the first game
played in Brooklyn. Miller plans to
match MS big ace against Walter
Johnson in Washington next Monday
Kay needs bit of prepping for this
encounter, as bad weather the past
'wo days cheated him out OF overdue
workouts
The trip Just closed was the most
saceessful, financially ever enjoyed
'y the Yankees. The teams had fat
guarantees Of $1,000 from each Of the
eight stopping places where games
we're played. In all but one of the
owns visited a percentage arrange
nent bettered by far the guarantee.