New-York tribune., 1920-02-09
Yankee Vets
May Pay Visit
To Hot Springs
Del Pratt and Former Red
Sox Players ON Team
Desire to Take Baths
Bv w. I. Macbeth

When they arrive at Chicago this
afternoon, Coloncls Rupert and Hus-
ton, of the Yankees, will take up with
Manager Miller Huggins a suggestion to
have the veterans of the club spend a
couple Of weeks at Hot Springs, Ark,
in preliminary training before report
ing with the other members for the
regular diet of spring training at
Jacksonville, Fla.
partial to the idea Of course of baths
at this famous water place, and so
recently as during his last visit de-
clared he would not try to influence
any of his men to go to the springs
But he did say he would interpose no
objection If any of the athletes cared
to take the baths. A number Of the
older fellows have written the home
office asking If the. club would not
please prescribe such course for
about February.
Among the number is Derrill Pratt,
the second baseman, who called upon
Colonel T. L. Huston Saturday.
"I'd like very much to 60 to Hot
Springs" said Pratt, "and will hold
myself in readiness to report there at
any time. have reached the age where
it is hard for me to take OFF weight. /
can do myself more good with the
baths in two weeks than I can do by
violent exercise in as many months"
Pratt's arguments are substantiated
by last years performance. Del, espe-
cia!ly during the last half of the year,
locked like his old self of the Browns,
when he was one of the very best
second baseman in fast company. He
was ranging as in the old days. In his
first season as Yankee (1918) Pratt
appeared to have slowed up to prac-
tical inefficiency. That was just after
he came from the Browns in a big
trade. Pratt failed to take full ad-
vantage Of spring training. He re-
ported very late and never did himself
full justice all year. AS he finished
out last season, however, Pratt is a
very valuable asset and so should con-
tlnue for some years to come.
The eX-Red Sox now with the Yam
Shore, have been in theh abit Of visit
ing Hot Springs annually. Until last
year the Boston Americans always
trained at Hot Springs. Ruth and
Mays expressed themselves as greatly
disappointed with having missed the
Hot Springs trip, when the Red Sox
were touring north in company Of the
Giants from Florida last spring.
Colonels Rupert and Huston are de-
termined to afford every facility for
the proper conditioning Of their play
ers. The American League fight has
made them all the more anxious to
land a pennant, if possible, and they
will spare no expense in their pursuit
Of same. 1t but remains for Huggins
to o. K. the Hot Springs idea before
the veterans will be notified to take
the course Of baths, if so disposed, at
the clubs expense.
Del Pratt, by the way, is all smoked
up over the acquisition Of Ruth. Pratt,
who is serving under term contract,
assured Colonel Huston he would make
every effort to cut in next spring right
where he left off last fall.
eve had a good team last year."
said Pratt, "and one that surely would
have won the pennant if the pitching
staff had not gone wrong in mid-sea-
son. We will have much better team
to start out with in 1920. Babe Ruth
is half q team in himself Pm cer-
tainly glad that his bat will be en-
ployed in the New York cause"