The Washington herald., 1920-04-05

Grfn Calls on Game.
After waiting until , p. m for
the weather man to turn on the
steam heat. President Griffith de-
cided to can everything OF.
Now the many fans who would
have been on hand to watch the
mighty Walter and Eric do the
heaving against Jimmy Ring will
have to postpone their desire until
the teams return to this city.
The opening day on the local
grounds will roll around before
long, and the fans will have many
chances to root for the best club
that ever represented this city-not
forgetting those of 1928. The
Boston Red Sox, whom the Griffith
ties will go against in Boston. on
Wednesday week, will be the open
ing attraction here.
Those who made the journey to
the park yesterday were much
amused by Erickson. Ellerbe and
Picinich tossing and hitting the ball
around. The players were doing
their stunts in front of the new
club office. and the trio caused
many a laugh by their antics.
washington and Cincinnati teams
departed for Richmond this morn
ing at 5 o'clock. for game TINS
afternoon, providing they have bet
ter luck than that of the past rev
days. After giving the Richmond
folks a chance to see the club battle
both managers will take their play
ers to Portsmouth for game on
Tuesday, and then to Danville on
"Wednesday. Roanoke will be the
battle-ground on Thursday. and
Clarksburg. w. Va, on Friday. Ihe
governor of the State and his staff
will be on hand to welcome
Greasy Neale. whose home is In
that city during the off season.
After the game the clubs VIII
move on to Cincinnati to complete
their series of spring games. Two
games will be played, one on Satur-
day and the last on Sunday AFTER
noon.
when these games are finished
the Nationals will head for Boston
arriving early Tuesday morning, In
time to get a good workout before
the opening game of the American
League series.
The Nationals will play four
games in Boston, then entrain for
the trip home. stopping off at Phila-
deIphia to take a few falls out OF
Connie Mack's bunch Of kids. The
schedule calls for three games in
the city of Quakers. Then all hands
will nike back to the Capital to open
the seasons festivities here.
President Griffith decided to leave
seven of the players at home during
the trip to Cincinnati. The players
who will remain here and work at
the park are: Ellerbe, Leonard,
Torres. the Cuban catcher. and four
pitchers. When the Nationals ar
rive at Boston these players will
rejoin the club.
Leonard, who has been bothered
with a bad leg. will have a chance
to rest up, while Ellerbe's arm is not
as strong as Manager Griffith would
desire it. Torres. the Cuban. was
left at home to work with the
pitchers.
Rice Has Good Record.
The study of the batting records
pf the Nationals in all the games
they have played to date proves
some interesting facts. For in
stance. take the figures made by
Rice during the eighteen games he
has played. He has made 25 hits
for an average of $50. OF course
II can be said that he did not face
the best of pitching, but had the
fans seen the work of the Cuban
pitchers and the Reds artists, his
hitting would be greatly appre
.iated, as both the Cubans' and the
Reds hurting staffs are in pretty
fair shape.
Both the hitting of Milan and
Roth is enough TO convince the
'ans that the outgarden will be well
aiken care of in both the hitting
and fielding departments. Both of
:hese players are busting the ball
'or a better mark than 800.
Take the infield with the players
who now hold down the various po-
sitions and study their work. Judge
IS batting S4S while O'Neill is lead
.ng him by two points. Both Harris
and Shannon are hitting timely and
heir work in the fielding line is
sensational for so early in the sea-
son. When warm weather arrives,
he fans of not only Washington
:ut around the circuit are going to
zee a fast aggregation.
The club as a whole Is batting
eSs and fielding .967 for eighteen
games. This shows the relative
speed of what the team is capable
,f doing. By this time next week
he training season will be finished
md as the Grifites will have this
entire week to hit against the Reds
lurlers they should be in the hest
IF condition when they reach Bos-
:on to open the season.