Evening star., 1919-04-21

1t was GriffithS intention to send
johnson to the mound against the
Mackmen in the opening game We'd
nesday, use Harper Thursday. Shaw
Friday and Craft. Ayers or Hovlik
Saturday. with Johnson making his
second appearance Sunday. If Har-
per's condition will not permit of the
southpaw being sandwiched in be-
tween Johnson and Shaw Craft prob
ably will be called on for duty Thurs
day, which would put it up to Ayers
to perform Saturday. The doctor is
willing. but is not in good shape yet.
owing to reporting a week later than
the other hurlers and having to abb
sent himself from training for two or
three days since then because of sick
ness in his family. If johnson is not
called upon to work too hard in the
inaugural or to relieve a faltering
brother in some subsequent game he
may be ready to toll again by Satur-
day and and it may be that Harper
will be in shape to do himself justice
by that time. According to present
plans Harry Thompson will not get a
chance to exhibit his wares this week
unless it be in an emergency role.
Griffith has plucked another Wem-
Der from his f1inging corps in the
person Of Edward Matteson. the thir-
ty-five-year-old veteran who was OBJ
tanned from the Dallas club of the
Texas League when that organization
goes whence he came and with the
best wishes of all his mates. by whom
he was well liked. Matty's poor
showing against McGraw's men Sat-
urday was factor in his release, but
aside from that it was necessary for
Griff to trim his pitching staff, so
after sending Adrian Lynch to Wich-
70 TN Nat
and hang on to the more youthful
Craft. Hovlik and Thompson. This
trio. with johnson, Harper. Shaw and
Ayers. comprise his entire array
of hurting talent and it is unlikely
any further pruning will be done in
this department. although a release
not affecting the mound staff may be
meted out in day or two.
Today and tomorrow there are two
sessions of practice for the Griffmen,
at 1880 in the morning and 2 o'clock
in the afternoon. The pilot has lot
men in preparing them for the cham
pionship campaign. Team signals will
be rehearsed and extended batting
practice indulged in, some of his best
stickers not having appeared to ad-
vantage against the Giants pitchers,
especially on curve balls.
Hal Janvrin gradually is regaining
his strength. and although it will be
several weeks yet before he 10 able to
travel at top speed and get into his
normal stride with the bat, he will
start the season at second base, the
position permanently allotted to him,
and play alongside Ike Davis. who
may be said practically to have
cinched the shortstopping job. The
is learning fast, and looks
more the part of a big Lacquer every
day. He and Janvrin have been mess
ing up some rollers around the key
stone sack. but the condition Of the
diamond is more to blame than any
thing else. Owing to the uncertainty
of the base ball situation the diamond
was not resurfaced last fall as Is
customary. New earth was not ap-
piled until this spring. and as result
1t is soft and cuppy. Packing with a
heavy steam roller today and tomor-
row is expected to remedy this con-
dition and put the grounds in prime
shape for the initial contest.
From the present looks of things the
Robertson deal still will be hanging