The Washington times., 1922-05-28
NAVY is WEAK
: ON EVE OF BIG
DIAMOND GAME
Record Crowd Expected to At
tend Annual Clash With
Army Tomorrow.
BY HUGH X. RILEY.

"a spite of the heavy dispro-
"A portion between victories
and defeats in the series of many
years and a considerable amount
of hard luck, chief of which was
loss of the coach within two
weeks of the final contest, the
Naval Academy is looking for
ward with confidence to the game
against the Military Academy,
which will take place here on
Monday and be the big event OF
the local spring season.
Since the falling out with Billy
Lush, the team has been taken in
hand by his assistants, Vic Blakes-
lee, captain of the 1919 nine, and
Eddie Miner, who was at the helm
In 1920. The incident served to
make every member Of the squad
feel determined to fight harder than
ever, and they will go into the
Army game animated by the most
intense spirit and desire to win.
The Naval Academy is admittedly
weak in pitchers this year, and
reliance will have to be placed
entirely In Kelly, a slim, but wiry
and cool-headed youth, who has
done most Of the pitching this year.
The only possible change pitcher In
Niemeyer, who will start at right
field, as he is hard hitter.
Fleming Is Lost.
The first piece OF hard luck came
when Fleming, the most promising
member of the pitching staff, was
taken with pneumonia and was lost
for the season. A little later
Humphreys, captain and first base
man. received a very bad sprained
ankle, and. after several attempts.
had to give up for the season.
Hederrnan, the hard-throwing short
stop, has been cut OF the game a
long time on account OF a broken
nose and two separate sprains to
his ankle, while Hogan, catcher,
lost the first month on account of
scholastic difficulties.
Now, however, good substitutes
have been broken in or the veterans
have returned to the game, and the
nine Is working into its stride. From
the start, there was no anxiety
about the outfield, with Rawlings,
Harris and Niemeyer. and the back.
stop position was finally cared for
when Hogan got into the game. The
hitting OF the team was also strong.
30 that the pitching department eLd
infield were the chief cares of the
coaches.
Barchet's Wing Uncertain.
Durgin has been doing we'll at
Humphreys position at the initial
sack. and Mills has proved an excel
lent second baseman, having won
the place after numerous expert
ments with others. The nine will be
much stronger II the short stop posi-
tion Is filled by Hederman, as
sBarchet's throwing is far from re-
liable. Baker has proved the find Of
the season at third. his handling of
bunts being an especially strong
feature.
The team has hit at high
standard throughout the season. and
in most OF the games has had at
least one glorious swat fest. II Is
upon ability along this line that the
friends OF the Navy team are rely.
ing. The are inclined to believe that
the midshipmen will find any pitcher
the Army has. II has been rather
thoroughly reconnoitred, and the
Navy scouts do not feel that the
Army is particularly strong on the
slab.
While the Navy has not fielded
consistently during the season, 1t Is
believed that it's infield Is better than
ever before, and that with Kelly
twirling. the opposing score will be
kept low, while the batsmen will be
relied upon to slug through a vic
tory.
Army Is Superior.
The overwhelming advantage Of
the Army in the service baseball
series gals naval people immensely.
in spite Of the fact that the Navy
has a small margin both as to foot
ball and basketball. Out of eighteen
games played between the mines Of
the service schools, the Navy has
won but five. This year, the mid
shipmen intend to fight more des.
perately than ever for another tri-
umph.
The game will be an actual feature
OF June week, the commencement
season at the Naval Academy, In
stead OF taking place just before 1t =,
as has been the rule. In addition to
the permanent stands, temporary
stands to seat thousands are being
erected, and there is every indication
Of the biggest crowd which ever
Witnessed an athletic event at An