The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-03-14

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to correct his short stride, and is
hopeful that the lad will make good.
Roe has plenty Of speed and a good
curve ball. but his faulty pitching
motion induces wildness certain to
send him back to the bushes.
Fred Wingfield and Fred Mar.
berry came over from Tampa, but
neither is expected to be used to.
day. They will be mere guardians
OF the inner gate, unless the Dodg-
ers go mad and hammer the young
NterS all over the lot. Then they
may be summoned to the rubber.
Tomorrow the Griffmen open
their home season at Tampa against
the Boston Braves. It will be a
gala opening, too, judging from ad-
vance notices, with the town de-
claring a half-holiday and all that.
Judge Lands won't be ON hand
this year, having decided to re-
main up North and attend to
other more pressing business. but
Nick AltrOck and Al Schacht are
here and the judge won't be
missed. With all going well to-
day. Marberry and Wingfield are
expected to divide the hurting
duties against the Braves.
Walter Johnson's announced re.
ttrement with the end Of the com.
ing campaign, coupled with reports
OF his excellent condition, has
stirred all Florida, and wherever
the Griffs are to play demands are
heard that the Grand Old Man OF
the Mound be used.
Bucky Harris has decided that
johnson will make his first appear.
6nce at Sarasota against the New
York Giants next Thursday, and
already excursions are being
planned. Flivvers will clutter up
the roads in south Florida next
week, all headed for Sarasota.
Carr Smith is another youngster
who may get his char ce today
against the Dodgers. This young
man hit AIS with Raleigh in the
Piedmont League last season and
is smashing the ball on the nose
In practice as though he fully in
tended continuing on from where
he quit.
There doesn't seem to be much
doubt about Smiths hitting ability,
but there is considerable concerning
his skill in the field. Jack Ches.
bro keeps him on the gallop every
day in the garden, chasing him all
over the place, and the veteran
3ungo expert grins whenever the
kid grabs one on the hoof. At
the same time there is some differ
ence between catching fungo flies
and drives in ball game, and
Smith has much to learn.
The two rubber.armed gentle.
men, Joe Martina, the Spaghetti
merchant from New Orleans, and
Allan Russell, the Luscious Lyn-
haven from Baltimore, oiled up
their wings yesterday and pro-
Ceeded to show cause why they
should be retained by the Wash.
ingtOn club after June 1. Mar
tina's control is unCanny. He
can hit dime from any distance
up to a hundred yards. Further.
more he can do it without half
warming up.
Russell was most valuable last
year as a relief finger. This
spring he is out to be starter.
Yesterday. lured by the warm
breeze from Mexico or Honduras or
Colombia or somewhere, Russell un.
corked some Of his pet spitters and
found them in good condition after
the winters rest. He mixed his
splitter with a curve and a change
Of pace that caused Bucky Harris
eyes to CLEAN.
Don't know who'll get the air,
but it won't be Russ" said good
old Rubber Arm as he dashed to
the showers, and that's just how il
looked to all who watched him.
Russell is in fine shape and yearn-
ing for a trial in the box. He'll
probably get it next week against
the Boston Braves at st. Peters
burg.
George Weiss, boss Of the New
Haven club, with his manager, Zeb
Milan, continue to hover about he
Tampa camp, worrying the young
Sters half to death. Milan is open
ly seeking players and the rockies
cross the street whenever Zeb and
George appear. Zeb wants at least
one outfielder and can use two or
three pitchers. He also wants a
first sacker and Shirley attracts
much of his attention. 1t wouldn't
be surprising to find Shirley sent
to New Haven for years season.
ing.
After looking at the Griffs for
almost q week we would say that
their morale is excellent, that
their pitching staff promises
much more than in years and that
the older men ON the club are
out strong i'm support Of their
younger manager.
Just how effective these promis-
ing pitchers are, should be shown
during the exhibition and practice
games in Florida. Sometimes the
most promising fritter away under
pressure. Until the test comes,
however, one must say that they
look good.
Jack Chesbro and Uncle Nick AL
trock have worked earnestly with
the youngsters and in return, the
youngsters have worked honestly
TO improve themselves. There il
not one pitching candidate who
looks really bad, such as was the
case with a number year ago.
Next week will be q busy one
for the Griffs. On Tuesday they
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