The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-15

imporfuned some years ago to start
the season later. After consider
able pressure compromise was
effected and the leagues, which
began their contests April 10, listed
them for a, week later
Judging from the brand Of
weather dealt out in the last two
days the soIons win do wise to
shove the opening off another
week. And their Is cause for con-
siderable reflection.
At the present time baseball
teams are training in q Turkish
bath and playing their games IN
the ice box. Starting off In mid
winter for Florida, working under
sunny skies, performing all the
prelfminaries under almost ideal
baseball conditions. all of the teams
come north to start the season
when the frost Is hardly out Of the
ground.
SNOW FALLS HARD.
In this. one Of the two cities
farthest south In both leagues, snow
fell and lay, less than three days
before the opening OF the baseball
season.
Rain. hail and snow halted track
meets. baseball games, golf ana
tennis matches hereabouts. PhiIa-
delphia suffered from blanket
Of from three to six inches Of snow
From financial standpoint there
Is no question but that the at.
tempt TO rush the season Is ii
many instances disastrous. A laket
start for baseball. say May ], and
an earlier closing, say October i
would accomplish just as much
financially.
six years ago on April a snow
fell in this city. Bleak, raw days
in April do not commend tfenls
selves to even the dyed-in-t the wool
fans The weather Of yesterday
and the prospect for today Il 4
fine argument for a later start.
NEED WARM WEATHER.
OF what value to Walter John
son, George Mogridge, Zeb Zachary
and the other hurlers is FOUR
weeks sojourn in Florida to start
under such adverse weather eons
ditions. Remembering what hap
pened to johnson last spring, It Is
q wonder that Bush will care to
take any chance in having lin
perform in the box at this time
The average age of baseball play.
ers in the big leagues is higher
than most people imagine. klah
bordering on thirty and above cam
not get results in athletics Until
they are thoroughly warmed UP
and are kept warm.
But no amount of argument win
suffice in these days until the del
lar mark Is placed at the head OF
the argument, SO it were best to
look at the immediate situation and
the prospects of refrigerating bat
tie between the Griffmen and the
Boston Braves scheduled at Sse5
p. m. today.
WILL TRY AGAIN.
The Griffs and Braves viii try
it again today. Denied any chance
to get together in an exhibition game
yesterday on account of the wet
weather, the teams viii endeavor TO
make the grade at Georgia avenue
at $3.50, as per schedule.
Although the gentlen1anly weather
man has predicted a lessening OF the
downpours, he declares it will be
cold. That will not stop the athletes
from taking the field. Today's game
will present the same lineups sched-
uled for yesterday.
Tomorrow the Griffs hop over to
Annapolis. Md. to show the middies
how it is done. Tuesday George
town University will be entertained
at the baseball park. Wednesday
the curtain goes up on the opening
game in Philadelphia against the
Athletics.
SPIRIT is FINE.
A casual glance at the Griffmen
since their arrival is enough to
show that all of the players are In
the game for all IL is worth. They
seem to have the right kind or
shirt on and off the field from
what correspondents tell US.
There have been setbacks, or
course. Injuries Of one sort or an
other have. retarded the progress
of the team at times. 1t is safe to
saw, however, that Bush has
brought back q better team in
every way than the one which re-
turned here this time a year ago.
This time a year ago the Griffs
were boosted for two-three posi-
ton. This season the critics are
picking them for q sixth, seventh,
or even last place position. But tnaC
means little as the 1923 team is now
a unit, well organized, intent upon
PLAYING winning baseball, and. above
all. willing to give the home sup
porters the best that is in them.
At any rate the Griffmen of 1928
bear the good wishes of all of the
A-11..,a,.e IL hnYka that