Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-21
BETS SHOWS LOTS
Of STUFF AND MAY
GRAB REGULAR JOB
Young Right-Hand Hurler Shines
for the PhiIlies In Sena-
tors Series
D0N0VAN'S CLUB SHOWS
POORLY AGAINST GRlFFS
BY SPICK HALL

Gainesville, Fla, March 21.--If there
was really any spot Of luminosity for
the Phillies in their recently completed
tragic series with the Washington club
IL was the showing made by Walter
Belts, the dizzy blonde from Millsboro,
Del. While Belts has not been classeu
with the recruits. In the minds Of most
Of those at the Pills camp he really is
one, In spite of his years experience on
the bench with Gavvy Cravath's boys
last season,
Belts was used last year largely to
heave in hitting practice and to go
through the form Of finishing ball games
hopelessly into the sipkhole Of defeat.
Before joining the Phillies, Belts was
the pride of Maryland and Delaware,
when he hurled In many games for the
Milford team. They don't have clubs
down there; they are just teams. Nil i
ford cleaned up most Of the teams In
that section, and Belts was the chiei
cleaner.
That was in 1919. The year before
that Walter blossomed out into star
twirler for Dover Academy, and 1t was
the reputation he made at Dover thai
caused him to be signed by Milford.
Went South
The glowing reports Of Belts pitch
ing for Milford echoed in Philadelphia
and he signed up and went south to tht
training camp last year. His lack ol
experience and his youth were the rea
sons for his not appearing more otter
as a first string pitcher.
Belts has shown enough during ths
spring trip thus far to place his namt
among the first eight with the assur
ance that, unless something unforeseen
happens, he will be retained by Bil
Donovan all season and will be given
chance to start a good many games.
Belts is a right -hander and he scent
to have a lot Of stuff. He has rea
pitching heart, never gets worried in TIT
pinches and pitches better, In fact
when he is threatened than at any othel
time, which Is the real test.
In Saturdays game down at Tamp'
Belts worked the last three innings fol
the Phillies and held the heavy hittint
Washington regulars in fine style. II
the sixth and seventh innings he re
tired the side in order and he woult
have gone through the eighth safely bu
for an unfortunate break.
O'Rourke started the eighth will
what was scored as q base hit, but OF
good ground any average third base
man would have felded the ball. AS j
was there was some question whethe
or not Wrightstone should be given al
error. Finally, 1t was decided to call !
hit.
Belts famed the next man but Zach
ary got on safely when Johnny Enz
,, mann lost his fly In the sun. snothe
one that had to be counted as a hit. 4
sacrifice fly scored the Senator's shor
stop and Bctts' record was smeared bu
only on paper. 1t was evident to ever
one who saw the game that the young
ster made q fine fght in the box ant
showed that he could pitch ball.
Phils Fail
The Phillies did not look better tina,
tail -enders In their four game seriet
with Washington. still II must be re
membered that Fletcher, Paulette. viii
liams, Mucsel and Stengel were not II
the lineup and that according to th'
official averages Of 1920 they were th'
best hitters on the club.
All of this quintet are expected 4
arrive before the Phillies begin thei
northern tour toward home. Word VA
received yesterday by Bill Donovan tina
Mack Wheat and Stengel had signed
Casey arrived in camp last night. ICY
Williams blew In early yesterday morn
ing in good shape and ready for hare
days drill as q starter.