Evening star., 1924-02-29

otuciS udSillS PdoSSu Oh. AhSiS 10
little difference in the temperature 1
when Walter was conditioning him
illustrious career.
1t will be recalled that it was
preliminary work under conditions
of the Old Dominion, with the sweep
sary on more than one occasion to
best showing in the American Leagu
champion Red Sox and Athletics in
Influenced probably by the results
attained In 1912 and 1913. Griff is a
firm believer in cool weather for
training purposes and pronounces the
brand prevalent here as ideal, despite
the fact that with the mercury hover
ing around the fifty mark it is some
thirty degrees cooler than usually is
the case at this time of the year in
Tampa.
Long Batting Practice.
With Specie, McGrew. Wingfield,
Brogan and Marberry taking turns on
the rubber, Roe, Dudley, Moon and
Joyce having worked the day before.
another long batting practice was
held to the advantage Of the hurlers,
although the stickmen failed to enjoy
1t much. due to the coolish air Weld,
produced singing sensations that
made them all vince.
The hitting session was held for the
first time on the diamond proper
through special dispensation from
Mike Martin. who alone designed it
and Is personally responsible for its
construction. With a little additional
rolling and a couple of haircuts the
grounds promise to be in fine condi.
tion for the initial session of infield
work slated to be held a few days
hence.
The base lines and other skinned
portions will require even more pack
ing before they are ready to with
stand the cutting wrought by spiked
shoes, however, and although the
pitchers and hitters were permitted to
occupy their respective regulation
stations, the running out Of bunts
allowed each batsman was confined
to the turf outside the lines.
Lance Richbourg made, the best
showing of any Of the seven athletes.
including the two catchers. Hargrave
and Tate, who participated in the
wand drill, his Whacks resulting in
a greater percentage of liners than
any OF the others. The former Giant
greatly resembles Dick Wade in ac-
tion at the plate. 1t Is to be hoped
that he will not prove the morning.
glory that Wade did during his trial
with the Nationals. =
Fisher Hits Ball Hard.
George Fisher also got off some
long drives, giving the reserve pitch
ers who were shagging flies in the
outf1eld many a chase. but Smith,
Bluege and Gagnon seemed unable to
successfully time the straight stuff
that was being dispatched. The last
named especially had trouble in
properly focusing his optics and met
very few solidly. Bluege was a bit
weak and uncertain in his actions
and Smith. although he whaled away
heartily, found himself off balance a
great deal of the time. Smitty has
the style ad5udged best adapted for
clean hitting, however. that used with
such signal success for years by iris
Speaker, to mention one shining ex-
ample. 1t consists of fiat trajec-
tory-a swing that is parallel to the
ground from the time it is initiated
until nn1shed. Thus his weapon al
ways Is being propelled on a direct
line with the course most desirable
Ior ball to take when leaving the
pat. 1t Is conducive to ne-drive
hitting IN that he neither chops down
on ball or hits under it when proper
Shanks' physical makeup had been
such that he could have adopted that
type or swing, as Jameson did under
tne tuteiage of Speaker, he would, like
Jamey, now be numbered among the
oeSl oozen oatsmen In the circuit.
Brogan Has Sore Arm.
The batting practice brought to
Of getting through one training sea.
son without having to coddle a sore
arm has been dashed. The ailing wing
- attached to the spare frame Of
Godfrey Brogan, the half portion
por.sider DOTS who has been one of the
mOGt nd
camp. The agile Manhattanite does
not attribute the lameness to excess
siye toll this spring as he has care
Iuiiy observed all warnings against
attempting too much. He is inclined
70 blame his trouble on the fact that
ne did no pitching at all last sum-
mer. when he was out of base ball
completely.
He reasons that his arm was weak
sr at the outset than 1t would have
oeen II ne mad pastimed as usual last
season and believes that after it is
Sumciently strengthened by exercise
no Will have no further trouble with
~; he. ne says that prior to his vacation
OF isI3, ne never went through a
campaign without participating in at
least thirty ball games and that his
souper seldom, II ever, has given him
any trouble.
speece, McGrew and wineaeld
Eorked under wraps with the exhi-
impressive due to the polished man
ner OF hurting he has acquired, but
1t remained for Fred Marberry to
stun. The Texan, who has been Ia
boring early and long to melt of a
ton or two Of weight, evidently has
thrived on the toll for he uncovered a
bundle of speed that kept the wand
wavers cool and nervous throughout
his tenure Of the mound.
Vets to Report March 2.
President Griffith has received word
from Manager Harris that he plans to
pull up stakes at Hot Springs week
IRON 1oday az 20 or.,r,ns Ir,ns sd ms sauad a. OF OF
3. Bucky said that Peckinpaugh re-
ported In fine shape physically and
that no Is looking for the short stop
per to have another great year.
WcITnRSTn ATTACK