Evening star., 1924-02-24

Il am switching Rice from right to
center field because of his great
speed" Harris said today. ANY
man as fast as Sam should play in 2
position where he can cover a lot Of
territory. Given the middle garden,
L know he will roam all over the
outf1eld. You know Sam broke the
outfelders' put-out record when he
played center q few years ago, and
think he'll strengthen the outfield
defensively by 20 per cent by again
occupying the same position.
Four Eligibles for Berth.
Just who will take his place in
right field is hard to say. OF course.
Memo Leibold has d bit of an edge
on the three other candidates be-
cause of his experience. He had a
mighty good season in center last
year, too, and should do well in his
old spot--right field.
But these youngsters must be con-
sidered. Take Richbourg. He led
the Southern League in hitting last
year until the time broken leg
forced him to retire. You know they
say man who can hit in the Dixie
circuit will do SO in the major
leagues, for the best pitchers in the
tall and uncut are to be found in
that league.
"Lance's leg is again in good shape.
I hear. and he PROBABLY will make a
great fight for the job.
George Fisher who was recalled
from the New Haven club, is a cork
ing hitter, too. He batted 1854 in the
Eastern League last year, and that
league.
Carr Smith, who is the only right
handed hitter of the four contenders
for the right-f1eld job. batted about
400 in the Piedmont League last
year, so 1t can be seen that he must
be reckoned with. too.
"Of course, will not find the an
swer to the riddle Of who is to get
the job until we are all in the train
ing camp at Tampa. Then when 1
see all the boys working I will be in
better position to decide who Is to
be the lucky one"
"My batting order will depend upon
my selection of a right, fielder. If
Memo wins the position ! will line
up my hitters in one way; If a rookie
is successful the order will be
switched around" g.
Enthusiastic over Pitchers.
Harris waxes enthusiastic over his
iikeliest looking band Of moundsmen
we've had on the club since I've been
playing for Washington" he said.
johnson is in superb condition and
should have q great year. MOSr1Qkc
Is fifteen pounds lighter than he was
at this time last year and look for
him to get off to a great start.
Zachary, y Zahniser, Russell and
Marberry should win lot of games,
too. Martina, McGrew and Winfield
ought to come through. Then have
Speece. Roe, Brogan, Noon. Dudley
and Joyce, making fifteen pitchers, all
told. OF the lot 1 expect to have ten
dependable. hurlers.
"I'm not going to make any rash
statements regarding where we'll fin
ish in the scramble for the American
League bunting, nor do / intend to
say anything about what am going
to do with the ball club.
Ball games are not won In hotel
lobbies. All the idle .chatterlng I
might do would not put one man on
first base for us when the season be-
gins.
"Of course, I, have high hopes and
so have all the players. I'll promise
the fans that Well try, and try mighty
hard"
A drizzIe did not keep the Nationals
from their road work today. Harris,
Johnson, Judge, Zachary, Prothro.
Mogridge and Ruel, alternately,
walked and trotted to the top Of the
Hot Springs mountain, where they
spent a half hour tossing the ball
around before returning to the hotel
and the baths.