Evening star., 1923-03-06
FIGURES ON SPITBALLER
TO SAVE MANY CONTESTS
Probably Will Not Start Game, But Is Likely to
Complete Lot of Them-Is One of Best in
Business as Relief Hurler.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.


TAMPA, Fla, March 6.-To VIII:
=. activities of the Nationals VIII
some six weeks hence, remain
making no secret of the fact that he
twister to prove real pitching fact
cred as candidate for hrst-string
catcher Ruel in the swap that sent
Red Sox for rescue work exciusivcl
prove one of the best in the business
When the recent Frazee- Griffith
tendency on the part of Capital 4
stops sterling worth, to entirely dis
regard the exchange as a three-for.
therefore. may be agreeably surprise
1t is doubtful whether Russell will
start single contest next summer,
but he is due to finish a lot Of them.
and his well established prowess in
his respect Is expected to turn the
tide of battle in many a game: Much
delving into the 1922 records has es-
tablished the fact that George
Mogridge along lost six battles in
the ninth inning when he entered
the final frame either with lead or
the count knotted. The lanky south
pay annexed eighteen victories as II
was. while dropping thirteen deci.
sions, and had there been available q
finger qualified to take up the burden
three rounds Mogridge and his fell
low fingers. too, would have COM
piled much better records.
No Opposition for Role.
johnson always has had notoriously
poor success as an emergency man,
and when Zachary essays to help a
faltering mate the opposition athletes
game as 'in." while Brillheart lacks
the experience necessary for the as
signment. Besides, these fellows are
expected to take regular turns in the
meal duty in between interferes with
their training routine and throws
them off their stride.
Warmoth possesses characteristics
indicating he might succeed as a
game finisher. but he and Hollins-
worth are looked upon as the leading
candidates among the newcomers for
regular berths. so Russell Is not ex-
the application of his speciality.
Being one of the few licensed spit
ball pitchers remaining. only Shocker
of the Browns, Coveleskie of the In
dians. Faber of the White Sox and
Quinn of the Red Sox being left In
the American League. Russell will
have distinct edge on the batsmen
from the jump off, for stickwielders
yearly are getting less and less OPP
portunity to face damp deliveries and
make the purveyors OF moist balls
more and more effective.
Russell does not depend entirely
upon saliva shoots for his enective-
ness, however. 1t is invaluable as
threat when not used at all and for
a short route he can travel at a
terrific clip. mixing fast balls with
hooks to act as foils for his splitter.
Russell's method OF pitching 10 IN
a jerky motion that Is calculated. to
throw batter off his stride. Being
injected into the proceedings late
Russell usually. finished his task be-
portunity to solve II.
Working for the tail end and
dispirited Rex Sox Russell last season
was credited with winning six and
losing seven games and with the
Washington this year he VIII nave
the chance to make record for pull
ing games out of the fire. Right now
Russelrs arm is in fine shape. supple
should be a matter Of only a rev
weeks of work here until his general
physical condition. Will be up to par.
Muddy Ruel, who blew into camp
yesterday morning, three days ahead
Of schedule, lost no time getting busy,
and Joined his new teammates IN the
regular workout for a brief spell. The
former Boston backstop is boyish
looking chap, and so far as weight
is concerned, will not have to toll
laboriously to get into condition. for
he is toting no surplus. He Joined
the golfing contingent in the after
noon, but his shots off the tee are not
nearly so acurate as his pegging in
base ball. Muddy gets plenty Of dis
tance with a driver. but he slices 'em
all on to the next fairway to tho
right.
George Adonis Fisher was another
western Association ny chaser who
comes via the MinneaPolts route
1000 in the good-looks league. but
apparently is not so well aware Of
it as to be handicapped. He is just
a young fellow, having voted only
twice and needs considerable polish
ing in the business of patrolling the
outer stretches. but he Is a natural
born hitter and he swats them far,
too.
Dad HankinS showed mp as per
schedule for his individual workout
yesterday afternoon. Only Manager
Bush and Trainer Martin were on
1t plenty and will be as far advanced
as the other twirlers when the order
for pitching to batters is given a little
later on.
There fs a possibility, although re-
mote, that a miniature major league
for spring games only will be or
Eanized among eight teams in the
American and National circuits next
year. The idea originated with AL
Lang. former mayor of St. Petersburg
and now president Of the Florida
State League. 1t has been tentatively
proposed that Washington. Cleveland.
Philadelphia and st. Louis OF the
American League and Brooklyn, st.
Louis. Philadelphia and Cincinnati of
the National League arrange a regu-
lar schedule Of exhibitions to be
played at the various spring camps
in this section during the training
season. Permission OF all the state
league clubs whose territory would
be invaucu wuu.u DC n,> r.saI., u.
course.
Clark Griffith looks with favor on
the proposal and should 1t go through
would send his rockies south as early
as February l to get in shape for the
opening of the circuit, about the mid
die of that month. displacing the
rockies with regulars as they arrived
and got in shape.