Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-27
|eR|FF IS SEEKING
REAL 0UTF|ELDER
Hopes to Obtain Hard Hitter
Capable of Making Team
IS. a Contender in 1920.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

'How about next year,"
This IL the question uppermost in
the minds of Washington base ball
fans who, although they are content
to let foot ball, basket ball, bowling
and the other cold weather sports
have their innings, are not unmind-
ful Of the fact that only four short
months will intervene before the ma
tional pastime again will become a
topic of live interest and who never
cease to be concerned over the pros
pect that their many years of weary
waiting ultimately will be rewarded
with winner.
Although the campaign recently
ended was . disastrous failure from
an artistic standpoint. the outlook
for 1890 Is far from discouraging.
There are four good reasons why the
Nauonals wound up In the subcellar
OF Ban Johnson's official structure
box. 80 '"'
Harry Harper's inexplicable lack of
effectiveness was severe blow to
the strength of the team from
pitching standpoint. and it's defense
further was weakened by the futiiity
trying to plug the inf1eld and out
neid holes with square pegs like Ike
DAVIS, Hank Shanke. Mike Menosky
ana ana Bob Murphy. Clyde Milan's long
iiimess also was a severe handicap.
the adverse moral effect on the club
whole of the existence Of
breaches of such dimensions in il.
defense cannot be underestimated.
ana IN view Of the circumstances the
Nationals may be said to have ac-
complished ali that reasonably could
De expected of them.
Facing the necessity of unearthins
material with which to weld new
r fInxs f9s the weak spots in his chain.
Ia Grimth secured the highways
ano pyways of the sport and corralIed
mors than dozen athletes, several
OF whom by their work in the closing
wesks or the race demonstrated great
promise Tor development into per-
The list includes Pitchers Courtney
1nd zachary. lefthanders, and Fischer.
JORDAN, Schacht. Snyder, Gill. Golden
@no Scheuer, the latter to come from
minneapolis. which also stands ready
advisable to give him another trial
In the spring.
The Unfolding array embraces Har-
rs. Ellerbe, Davidson ana Lindsey. all
OF whom have been seen in action by
O'Neii and washburn. The Latter ef fwn
nau IRON Shreveport and Wichita. re-
ssPsotiveiy' ana were unable to report
snis IaiI. OF the pitchers, Courtney
S ch,dsent Zachary and Snyder seem to
infislds ns most @bn pfcmise: Will Of the
ma HARRIS are most highly regarded.
There 10 little doubt that from,
ths aggregation Of talent lined un
SOU go psion Tor the problems presented
csrr U0'r vt tne In inner works and pitching
leaves the gap In left field unfiiIed.
VIVA Ailan having recovered his nor
nlAi neaith. he and Rice can take care
OF two-thirds of the work in the outer
s.setcoes In ans style. and II the club
garry the Isht-hittins shanks i in l. r.
ESnmthe worries anent regulars for
mig garden would be ended.
out ing chances are all against the
siuo packing sufficient punch to make
s "a pian practicable, besides Howard
She question of landing a capable left
rIeiees 70 replace the inadequate
Menosky and Murphy remains, and the
manager plans to meet it in a wholly
S ~ manner by purchasing
chaser OF hitting propensities.
NO one realizes more than GrifYith
The urgent necessity Of obtaining a
rtght-handed batsman to Cooperate
with Milan and Rice. He IL mum as
% the source from which the needed
aid 10 to come. but has asserted con-
ndence In the success OF his quest AL
though he will keep his eye peeled for
promising garden material In the
youngster class. he will not try to de-
vsiop q juvenile into a regular for his
0utdsld next season.
What he proposes and r. sanguine of
being able TO do 10 to arrange for the
transfer to Washington of an out
fielder OF established ability, a player
who already has arrived and who 10
capable OF supplying from the outset
OF the campaign the punch required
20 make the Nationals a contender in
1920.
Grin has q wealth of material in
players who have outliyed their use
fulness here, or who cannot be waited
on to prove their worth, who could be
utilised to good effect. together with
some cash, in inducing some rival
manager to part with an athlete of
the type required. II this is done the
Gfihmcn next season will bear watch
Ing.