Evening star., 1919-04-05

is little to choose between Milan and
Shannon in respect to patrolling the
outer works, pegging and speed on
the bases. Joe shows signs of devel-
oping into a batsman of ability. He
has good stand at the plate and
takes a healthy cut at the ball. but
uses his arms rather than his body in
swinging a bat. He is being coached
to remedy this deficiency. Horace's
manner of offering at the ball indi-
Gates he learned the proper method at
the outset. He gets every ounce or
his weight and strength back of his
bat. He hits the ball often and. best
of all, right on the nose. His average
of .2SS in thirty-one games with the
Nationals year before last indicates
big league pitching has no terrors
for him. and if he can do as well this
season his future as a major Lacquer
is well nigh assured.
Shannon and Milan are putting up
a doughty battle for the position
Bert Shotton held last season. Their
relative prowess as willow wielders
will decide the issue. as they appear
to he on a rar in other respects. al
though il must be said the question of
quick thinkI1E-abi.ity to size up a
situation and act accordingly-is as
yet an open one. Right now Milan
appears to he the better batsman of
the two. If this is established as
fact to Griff1th's satisfaction Shan
non will have to wait to advance to
equal footing with his twin. Maurice.
who is on Connie Mack's pay roll. and
the box scores of Washington's games
this year will show two Milans sta
toned in the pasture. ''Zeb" in CEN
ter and ''Hoss' in right.
If Robertson should he obtained
there is no question but that a regu-
lar berth would be his, but even in
that event II. Milan may get the as
signment of substitute gardener. as
Menosky will have to demonstrate he
is more valuable player to have
around for an emergency than young
Milan or Shannon. Horace has one
advantage over Mike in that he is a
rightha anded hitter. whereas the as
yet absent doughboy is n portside
batsman. as are also the older Milan.
Rice and Robertson.
Yesterday for the first time in three
years-since the Nationals have been
doing their spring work in Augusta
a full day of practice was lost be-
cause of bad weather. The players
awoke to find it raining and the
downpour continued steadily until
late in the afternoon. They reported
at the ball park, but were excused
shortly after luncheon when it was
apparent practice would be out of the
question. The sun appeared before
supper, as the evening meal is termed
here. and the outlook now is for fair
weather.
The layoff did the squad no harm
as it has been putting in some faith
full licks twice day since it's ar
rival. The rest probably benefited the
pitchers, but Manager Griffith is de-
termined good workout shall be
obtained today. and if this proves
impossible Sunday session in the
ball park will be in order.
Frank Schultz. the veteran outfield-
er. who was given his release by
Griffith to become manager of the
Binghamton club of the Interna-
tional League, wants Frank Ellerbe
to play short for his team this year
and it is likely the Nationals pilot
will accede to his request. The young
collegian shows signs in his work
here of becoming a good hitter and
is believed should make good in the
International. where he will get some
much needed experience. He may
leave for the northern berth when
camp is broken here. but it is likely
that Flaherty, who also is listed to
play for Binghamton. will not leave
Griff's squad until after the exhibi-
ton trip is finished.