The Washington herald., 1919-04-14
GRIFFMEN OPEN
GIANT SERIES
Nationals Arrive AT Norfolk
After Hard Journey
from Charlotte.
By JOHN A. DUGAN.


Norfolk. Va, April 2-An set for
he Giants is the way Clark Griffith
md his band OF Nationals feel about
he coming series which opens at
sepport News tomorrow. "An set" is
me Of the many Cob" expressions,
aeauing the decks are cleared for ac-
ion-
The Nationals seaboarded it along
he rocky way from Charlotte through
ne hills and swamps of the TarheeI
nd Virginia States last night and
most Of the morning to arrive at tins
seafarinE town four hours late, but
he log OF Skipper Griffith shows only
me casualty during the rough and
umble journey. This cripple is no
rther than Val Picinich, six months
:. seadog with Uncle Sammy's Pelham
Say jackies. The wartime measurer
4 upper and lower berths for base
ball clubs caused Val to be placed on
he injured list today. as Pick just
-annot get accustomed to the swing
Of the upper hammocks. and during
he wee hours he awoke his shipmates
by taking a neat tumble into the aisle
Of the cruiser "Altermont" which was
The name tackled onto the Nationals
private car when the famous Mr.. Pull
man launched it. Valentine is today
sporting around one OF the sweetest
looking right lamps that any six-round
preliminary plug" ever blossomed. as
Trainer Martin was forced to take two
stitches in the wound. While doing
his famous ''Brodie" into the center
OF the car Val got his left foot tangled
up in the curtains, resulting in a
twisted big toe which has the little
receiver camping around the lobby of
the southland Hotel tonight Val will
rot be ready to face McGraw's tribe
for a couple of days. but the Silver
haired Leader is well satisfied that Ag-
new and Charity can stand all of the
work il it is necessary.
GTln is anxious to get off to a fly
ing start against the Gotham Giants.
end will use Harper, Shaw and
Thompson on the firing line in this
opening clash. while the Nationals are
hsUrinE on facing the slants of John
Paul Jones. New York's sensational
young hurler, as one of the pitchers
in this first game. This seven-game
series is easily the most important
part Of the spring training OF the
Griffmen, as it will give the Old Fox
the opportunity to watch his hired
men under fire Of a strong opposition.
u aNAAl AFkElluS Oil lllt showing OF
new iUfeld candidates in this series,
IS both Davis and Leonard are down
for the test and should they falter in
any way it will not be surprising to
see JanvTin and Shanks kicking into
the regular berths when the gong
sounds
Little Davis gave a brilliant eXhibi-
ton in Charlotte yesterday in his first
real test. while Leonard has been per-
forming in great style. II both can
keep uD their present stride against
the Manhattan crew no switch to
JanvTin and Shanks will be needed.
Griff intends to get the former Red
SoN second saCker started shortly, as
Hal Is anxious to get down to work,
md so informed the Old Fox today.
Tanvrin believes that he is ready to
set into battle but Griff stated tonight
hat he desired to wait a few DAYS
'on=Cr before putting the BostonIan in
he game.
The Nationals hurlers are now ready
o work five or more innings. Thomp-
son. Craft. Matteson. Hovlfk and
Lynch will be given a chance to show
their stock in trade in this SERIES
Johnson. Craft and Lynch will prob
ably work in the Petersburg game on
AAtSNdNs " llllt lJOC ayers, VINO lS
expected to reiCiu the club there. will
no doubt work along with Hovlik
and MattesOn in the game here We'd
nesday.
The proposed game between the
Giants and the Nationals for the ben
eft of the Thirtieth Division. at Char
lotte. y. C.. fell through today, as
War Community Worker Hoyt, who is
In charge Of the game here, refused
to release either club from its con-
tract. Mayor F. r. McNinch, of Char
lOtte. attempted to get Mayor Ash
burner. Of Norfolk. to use his infiu-
enCe in persuading Hoyt to lift his
iron ban, but it was of no avail. Hoyt
reasoned that the games were being
staged here for the soldiers and sail
ors in this vicinity. and as there were
many who could not witness the game
on Thursday. the fighting tribe of the
army here were just as important as
CarOlina's own.