Evening star., 1924-04-15

Harris, the fourth Washington
manager in four seasons. really goes
on trial today more so than the Ma
tionals. While the majority of fans
here have admired Bucky as sec
ond-Sacker-and there have been few
in the game more brilliant around
the middle station-a number still
are doubtful as to his ability to take
care of two tasks. They fear man
ageral duties may mar his work
affeld. The dual job apparently did
not affect the young boss during the
spring exhibition series, but thou
sands of the faithful are wondering
what it will do in the flag race.
Bucky Qualified to Pilot.
From the manner in which Harris
has conducted himself so far 1t does
not seem likely his handling of either
task will be affected. Always a cool
and resourceful player around the
keystone sack, Bucky has carried
these characteristics into the man
agerial berth. In play he is on ms
particular duties of the second base
p man, but never for an instant tor-
getting that eight other men or ms
team must be watched as well as the
opposition.
tbinlxer in base ball. student of
strategy and most decided In ms
opinions. He will direct play as ne
sees fit and stand or fall by MS de-
cisions Given a fair break IN tne
game and barring INJURIES 10 tbe
PLAYERS, this youngest manager IN lhe
big leagues ought to register more
than an ordinary success in his nrsl
year as a leader of the Nationals
This team of Nationals under Har-
ris' direction does not size up as
rvorIdbeating combination, but In
several respects it seems better tnah
C,Aner recent washington representa-
tives in the American League. II APP
pears to have acquired more PIa PuIci
through the addition of an inhelder
and outfelder, who came TO the cluo
with enviable batting regulations ana
promise to live up to their past per-
formances.
Rockies Pack a Punch.
While neither Doc Protnro, at third
base nor George Fisher, In rlshe
field. is a polished fielder, much OF
their lack of finesse in that respect
NAV he overlooked if they develop
into the pitcher -punishers they threat
en- to become. And couple oil vet
Grams who failed to measure up 10
the expectations of the fans last year
in hitting have been banging the ball
in practice games at rate indicating
they will be much more powerful IN
attack this season. To a horde OF
fans whose club long has been lack
ing in forceful failing this means
And in all likelihood the Nationals
pitching will be much better TINS
year than last. In 1928 the club nad
a throwing rather than pitchlng
corps. many games going to the op-
nosition because of slovenly work by
National slabmen. Few of the box
men last season possessed thal hosl
necessary asset of good pltcher-
control-and most of them lacked the
stamina to go a full route. The wild
men have departed; the newcomers
have shown much more natural pltch-
ing ability than those tried here last
wear. And the entire corps appears
to be in splendid physical condition,
Defensively, the Nationals are as
strong this year as last. The key
stone combination has not lost any
of its ability to execute double plays,
a fielding feat for which it has been
famous for two seasons. The outheld
could be strengthened considerably,
but right now it probably is much
better than at this time in 1928.
Neither Harris nor Manager Mack
of the Athletics indicated this morn
ing that any change would be made
in their overnight pitching selections
for today. Harris some time ago
nominated Walter Johnson as start
ing hurler for the Nationals, while
the Philadelphia leader yesterday an
nounced that Bryan Harris would do
the honors for the Athletics. The
starting line-ups were to be the same
used by the clubs in recent exhibition
engagements.