The Washington herald., 1919-04-12
GAME CALLED
OFF BY STORM
Grifmen Will Play Jack
Coombs' Tribe One
Game Today.
BY JOHN A. DUGAN.

SSAA%S ~ DCSANs
Charlotte. N. c., April 1.-THE same
old tinx of bad weather that has an
nually followed the Nationals after
leaving the Augusta training camp on
the transforming trip jumped aboard
the northern-bound express with the
Griffmen last night, causing the post
ponement of the opening exhibition
game here today with Jack Coombs'
Phillies.
One of those Southern springtime
transforms broke forth shortly after
midnight while the Griffith clan were
sdietracked somewhere in this Tar
Heel State. The heavy rainfall turned
the Charlotte ball park into young
swamp and the Foxy Pilot and
Coombs called off the battle early in
the day with hopes Of a strong wind
and plenty of sunshine tomorrow.
which the field must have to dry 1t
out for any sort of an exhibition.
Like all the playing grounds
throughout these Dixie States, Chad
lotte has turtle back skinned infield
which dries out quickly but the park
today was just one lake of water.
making 1t impossible even for the
twirlers to find enough space to get in
their regular warming up and bunting
practice The optimistic pilot of the
Washington club of course predicts
better conditions tomorrow but at a
late hour tonight neither the moon
nor any OF the stars had peeped
through the dark gray lining. AL
though the rain which had fallen con-
slstently since the wee hours has
matted its rampage. a quartet of Grif-
n1th athletes who are sadly in need
OF all the work which they can obtain
were handed orders for indoor prac-
tice at the Y. NJ. c. A. here. This quar-
let which took long drill under the
Watchful eyes of Trainer Mike Martin
were Jimmy Shaw, Harry Harper,
Sammy Agnew and Hal Janvrin.
Shaw and Agnew are still carrying
around little more weight than the
Old Fox thinks is necessary and al
though their practice today was along
the line that Prof. Beckett would
hand the tired business man, they
claimed to have reduced down to the
limit, as Martin sure put them over
the Jumps. Janvrin is fast rounding
into form. The work he took today
will just keep him on edge to pitch
INTO some honest-to-goodnes practice
when the squad once more hits the
sunshine of the District.
Harry Harper contracted a slight
cold in his salary wing, which ac-
counts for his shot at the indoor
practice. 'Moxie" believes that he
has worked the soreness out and will
be ready to face the Giants for five
or more innings when the Nationals
lock horns with them in Petersburg
Monday
Doc Ayers was relieved from fur
ther work today until Monday, as
he received word from his home in
Hillsville. Va. that his sister, who
has been i'll for some time, was
slightly worse. The hfl billy left
this morning for the Blue Ridge
Mountains and will join the tribe
during the Giant series. Ayers at
present is in great shape and GrIu
does not believe few days lay
on will affect the big hurler.
Walter Johnson has been adver-
tlsed to slam them through against
COombs' crew tomorrow. Griff has
decided tonight to start Barney
i'll the battle with Hovlik and Mat
teson finishing up. Matteson's first
try under the big tent was with
the Quakers. and he is just aching
for chance 10 work against some
Of his former teammates. Jack
Coombs will use Pendergast and
Jacobs against the Nationals in this
lone game.
Coombs and Griffiths had their
heads together all day, but the Old
Fox denies there is any trade or pur-
chase deals going on between the two
clubs. Coombs is in favor of the Old
Fox obtaining Davey Robertson, the
Giant slugger. claiming he would not
stand in Davey's way if he desires
to get out Of the Heydler circuit.
Griff admits Jack is looking for help
and is puzzled that the National
League magnates and managers have
not come forth with some of their
extra material which they intend to
cut loose to help Jack over the rough
grounds.
Ray Morgan, the former National
second sacker. who was waivered out
of the American League only to be-
come the property of the Phillies,
has not reported to date and has
been put on the suspended list by the
new Quaker City leader.