The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-08

Looking back at the training sea-
son which got under way here on
March 4, for some of the athletes
Ii may be called more successful
than any for several years back.
Indeed, not since Clark Griffith was
taking his club to Charlottesville
some ten years ago has there been
as much spirit shown as this year
Without seeking to make any
individual comparisons. we might
say right off the reel that this
years squad has done more hard
work and more constructive work
than any Washington squad in sew.
Eeral years. Manager Bush spent
many an hour during the winter
laying plans for the training season,
and he has carried out most of
them.
Bush has had small, weIl-picled
squad under his command here
He has driven them hard, but not
too hard. Indeed. some OF the
players might have run around the
track oftener for the betterment OF
their wind. Bush has worked Just
as hard an any Of his players, and
he has their entire respect.
SQUAD TOO SMALL.
Before going into details concern
ing this spring training, 1t might
be said that year from now the
pitching squad will be much larger.
Bringing ten hurlers to camp and
then having four or five unable to
take part in the daily drill is q
mistake, and both CLARK Griffith
and DOME Bush know &.
Sore lv1yes 70 ~. Y1Ss.l,<se7
for among the pitching candidates.
The Griffs have them this year.
Brillheart has a lame wing right
now. Beach, McGrew and Russell
found themselves unable ito engage
in the daily batting pracice early
in the season. Mogridge and John.
son were unavailable, leaving five
hurlers to do all the work. 1t is
a good bet that there will be fif-
teen or more pitchers in camp next
year.
Washington fans. who will be able
to look at the bunch at Florida
avenue next Saturday, may be in.
formed that the Griffs are almost
ready for the opening OF the season.
Their pitchers are not quite in
shape, but the rest Of the team
could step right into champion
ship contest today and look good.
Joe Judge has been Handicapped
by the injury received at Clear
water against the Brooklyn Robins,
but he gives every evidence of re-
gaining his form before the flag
goes up.
HARRIS IN SLUMP.
Harris is not hitting. When he
win begin nobody knows. His
fielding is first class. 1t is probable
that he had too much golf here
before the practice season began,
but he will have no more golf and
should begin to hit in due time.
Peckinpaugh, booked to start the
campaign at short. is about ready
to resume his work after nursing
broken finger for a couple of
weeks. The veteran should sur
prise the fans at home by his
form. He does not look at all like
the man who opened the 1922 sea-
son at short for the Griffs.
Bill Conroy will be at third base
against the Mackmen on April 10.
His work has been first-class ever
since he reported, though most of
it was at first base. Conroy is
Of the plugging type. such as was
Frank Baker. He seldom earns APP
plause, but he gets everything in
his direction.
A year ago experts visiting Tam
pa, said the Griffs had an alright
infield. The same Is true this
spring, specially when it is noted
that Ossie Bluege stands ready to
supplant Peckinpaugh IL the vet
eran falters. Both shortstops have
improved with the passing OF a
year.
There is a distinct Improvement
In the outfield. Cosiin, Tor instance.