New-York tribune., 1919-03-26
McCraw Amazed at Rapid
Development Shown So
Far by His Players
By w. ]. Macbeth

come. The hustling leader Of the club
which earned 80 many pennants for
the metropolis and made tho namo OF
the Polo Grounds hallowed in every
hamlet and cross roads where tho grcat
American summer game IL known, be-
lievos he has discovered Mt last the
ideal spot for : spring base. His
players are enthusiastic over the To-
cation.
Gainesville is n beautiful little city,
too small to embrace that varied form
Of distraction and vice so bound to
prove n drawback to training in tho
bigger centres Of population, but still
quite large enough for tho harmless
forms OF entertainment and amusement
necessary to sidctrack cnnui. Words
fail to describe the glorics OF the
climate that has been the order so far
during the visit OF the Giants.
The critics and grandstand managers.
who from the side lines watched tho
New York players go through their
PAGES in this afternoons spirited
practice, declared that three days.
exercising here had developed as much
physical Improvement as could usually
be boastcd after as many weeks else
where.
Ponce De Leon Thanked
Veterans and rockies to a man agree
that the facts are so and can explain
away the gratifying mystery only on
the theory that the place sought by
Ponce De Leon is somewhere in the
environs. McGraw declared most en-
phatically that he never could have
believed such rapid development pos
sible had he not been on hand to direct
and follow it.
The rapid strides toward physical
perfection which his players, young
and old, have made has altered Nc
Graws personal views on spring train
ing. His theory holds that it is best
to devote q long time to the Job in
order to give proper study to the
cause he will be here approximately
two weeks only, McGraw this year found
it necessary to crowd his athletes, a
thing which at first appeared danger
Gus to him, owing to the presence of an
unusual number of aging veterans.
But, wonderful to relate, the veterans
to-day are showing the way to the
rockies. There does not appear to be
sore arm or even a sore muscle in
camp. Trainer Mackall is having his
first spring vacation of dozen years
The legs as we'll as the arms of the
players have responded in remarkable
fashion. The boys need to condition
their wind only to be ready for the
bell.
The veteran infield this afternoon
simply knocked the volunteer rooters
clean off their seats in q twenty min
ute fielding practice. McGraw himself
hit the .grounders, and he put as much
punch in easy offerings as he is ac-
customed to do at the Polo Grounds in
mid-July. And it must be admitted
Harry Fabian's field here is no Polo
Grounds by any means.
Hal Chase displayed all the old wiz
ardy with which he was won't in ear
lier days to astonish American League
rooters at the old hill top. If Father
Time has thrown any of his sand in
/ Chase's joints or sprained the elastic
ity of his cat-like muscles, Prince Hal
is camouhaging his catastrophe in
commendable style
Chase Still Nimble
The writer personally has followed
the career Of Chase since he first broke
in with the Yankees, back in 1905. He
never saw him cover more ground
move with greater speed and agility
or handle his feet and hands more
nimbly than to-day. He is not taking
the liberties with his arm that Zim-
norman, Fletcher and Doyle are tax
ing. But there is nothing wrong with
the whip. He satisfied himself on that
point on q few occasions.
There is no doubt that the presence
Of Chase has instilled new life and
pepper in tho rest of that infeld, for
now the boys can peg wildly in hurried
plays confident that Hal, on the other
end, will cash in outs on customary
fielding errors. Chase, too, seems to
regard life far more seriously than
was his want. lie seems anxious to
please not only his fellow associates,
but Manager McCraw in particular, and
listens seriously to every pointer Mac
vouchsnfcs
In passing, it may be said that Chase
seems bent upon playing every per-
centagc in his favor while at bat, and
II he but continues In tho way he has
begun, 1t IL not beyond the realm Of
possibility that he may crown his
debut with the Giants with another
batting championship Of the, National
League.
McGraw seems quite as young, vigor-
Gus and tirelcss once moro as Prince
Hal himself. Tho secret of his enthu-
siasm doubtless is the wonderful prom
ise toward a real "come- back" that
Ferdie Schupp is showing. This former
master Of the southpaw art in batting
practice this afternoon had the left
handed hitters Topping like windmiIls
Schupp had grand turn Of speed as
we'll as his copyrighted hook. And he
had in addition control 100 per cent
pure.
, McGraw realizes that henceforth his
chief concern must be in developing 8
pitching staff of class and he is bend
lng every energy to this end. George
Gibson was busy as batter all day
warming up and coaching the rockies
Matty Does Coaching
Christy Mathcwson took charge OF
the beavers who served to the batters
in practice. He coached these in the
little intricaccs of his art, such as
fielding bunts properly, covering the
bag at the right times, changing pace
and mixing up deliveries.
After his regulars had been ordered
to the showers this afternoon McGraw
put in forty-five minutes with his colts
Such rapid development has already
been made that Mac is seriously con.
,, sidering the putting on of the first
practice game. II such is played il
will be limited to five or six inninys
, However, the regulars and sod busters
may be held in leash till Thursday
As matter Of fact it feels very much
.. tonight as if it is shaping up for rain
o