Evening star., 1919-04-17
NORFOLK IS link
TO GR|FF'S TEAM
Weather's Preventing Con-
test With Giants Follows
Past Performances.
WILL TRY AGAIN TODAY
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

NORFOLK. Va, April u. - AL
though exhibition games have been
scheduled for the Nationals in Nor
first one of them is yet to be play
ed. In 1917 they were billed to do
battle with the Phillies. but were
prevented by the soggy condition OF
the grounds. Last spring the weather
encountered at Richmond was so bad,
being cold in addition to a heavy
snowstorm. that 1t was considered use
less to make the trip down here. and
yesterday it rained. The downpour did
not come until late in the morning,
but was so heavy game was rendered
impossible, although it was not until
70 O'Clock that official announcement
was made that the contest was off.
The rain yesterday was of the April
shower variety. the sun appearing be-
tween periods of precipitation, but
Manager Griffith refused to consider
risking the health and limbs Of his
athletes in the heavy going and did
not attempt any practice.
Il don't want my players laid up
feet wet" Griff asserted. They are
in good condition now and 1 want to
keep them that way"
Generally speaking. the Nationals
are in fine condition. Hovlik and Mat
teson are nursing strained tendons in
their legs, Shanks' throwing arm still
has a kink in it and Janvrin has not
yet worked the soreness out of his
muscles. Otherwise the physical con-
dition of the squad leaves little TO
be desired.
At the rate he is progressing there
Is no question but that Janvrin will
start the season at second base. He
will not be ready to cut loose by that
time I'll and his batting eye will not be be
able to play acceptably until he
rounds into tip-top shape in the
course of two or three weeks, and in
the meantime Ike Davis will receive
nicely under the coaching given him.
nicely under the coaching given him
and by the tine he has worked with
Janvrin long enough for them to un-
derstand one another and thoroughly
will have, as fast pair of keystone
sack guardians as there is in the cir
cult.
accurate in going to his left for
grounders. He is trifle weak in
travelling to his right. Few inf1elders
are not, for it is oftentimes a bare
hand proposition in that direction. 1t
also carries them away from their
unfavorable position for throwing. off
balance, and with their momentum a
handicap rather than an advantage as
when charging toward the initial sack.
with his speed will snare many
Texas Lacquer back of second and in
short left field. At the bat he appears
to better advantage daily. Change of
pace bothers him. as it does even the
veterans. but he stands correctly at
the plate, has good eye and takes
lusty Wallop at the ball
Washington fans should not expect
too much Of Davis He is but young
ster, seeing his first service with a.
to learn. His lessons" have covered
such a wide field that it Is too much
to- expect him to absorb all his in
structions at the outset. Like every
other youngster. he may be expected
to show evidences of greenness at
of tricky veterans. but he possesses
natural ability in an unusual degree
and with the proper support and en-
couragement should develop into
star in time.
One Of the few thousand "dont's"
attention concerns hurrying his peg
after fielding a ball. Davis has a
strong throwing arm and, like all
other juveniles. a tendency to get
the ball away from him as quickly as
possible. The necessity for accuracy
in throwing constantly is being i'm
pressed upon him. He has learned not
to hustle his throws unnecessarily,
and as a result has not made q single
wild heave in the exhibition games
ing in a championship game where SO
much is at stake he may prove err
ratio. What yoYngster wouldn't? But
II fans in the capital will go along
with him and condone the mistakes
only natural to expect from a boy
be rewarded by having on the Wash
ington club the niftiest young short
stopper to come up since Joe Cassidy,
whose untfmely death cut short what
would have been a brilliant career.
Rain or no rain. the grounds today
are bound to be heavy from the
downpour Of yesterday, as the park is
on low land, which does not dry
readily: If it is possible to play. how
his selection Of johnson and Craft as
the Nationals pitchers, and 1t Is like !
ly McGraw will send to the mound
Rube Benton and Cecil Causey, a |
couple of lefthanders.
Griffith has been informed by Presi-
Hickey of the Cardinals |
that he again is willing to make the !
three -cornered deal involving Robert !
son, Gonzales and Lavan. in view of the |
shortstop's injury being SO slight, but |
neither the Cubs nor Pirates have in |
dicated they will recede from their posi- |
ton of refusing to waive on Robertson, |
30 the deal is no nearer consummation |
than 1t ever was. If Fred Mitchell can |
be induced to consent. it is believed |
sufficient pressure can be brought to |
bear to make Barney Dreyfuss acqui- |
esce, but to date no success has resulted J