Evening star., 1925-03-08

This is a rather strenuous book
ing for a club in the first week OF the
year for actual base ball, but ac-
cording to Manager Harris his per-
formers are well prepared for the
test and he feels no apprehension
over their ability to give good
account of themselves.
Squad in Good Form.
With one or two exceptions, the
players are all in generally good con-
dition," said Bucky tonight. "and
should be able to put up a snappy
article of ball with little or no risk
of bad effects from stepping out at
so comparatively early a date. All of
my pitchers are not yet prepared for
service But we have a sufficient
number ready to carry us along for a
few days until the older ones get in
shape.
There is hardly a single one of
the regulars who cannot show to
Fsood advantage on defense now, and
any fears that may have been en-
tertained as to hitting have been
largely dissipated by developments
Of the last couple of days. Some of
the boys have been a little slow in
getting the cobwebs out of their eyes,
but the manner in which the pill
was pummeled in batting practice
yesterday and today indicates We
will not be without d punch.
"Goslin had his usual difficulty in
adjusting his optics at the outset,
but he is meeting the ball on the
nose now and ought to prove a real
factor on attack. Judge, Rice and
Peck also are stepping into the ball.
with good results, and it is from this
quartet that most of our attacking
power is expected in the early
games"
Harris voiced satisfaction over the
arrival of Vean Gregg, who checked
in this morning after a week of
travelling from his home in Seattle.
Griff processes to be still peeved over
the tardiness of the lean lefthander,
but probably is as much pleased as
Harris that he finally got here.
Gregg in Easy Workout.
Gregg took an easy work with
the forenoon squad and when It was
ended said his ancient soupbone felt
o. X. Vean failed to throw any new
light on his controversy with the
Seattle club, which was the cause of
his lateness in reporting, merely as
serting that he wanted to make sure
he would get cut Of the price paid
by Washington to the Coast League
team.
In view of the fact that Gregg will
eRot become eligible to receive his
percen tage, which is said to amount
TO $1,000, unless he actually is
member Of the Nationals, II was a
foregone conclusion that he would
affix his signature to g Washington
xsOn tr-a ot with little delay
Although he will be 40 years old
next month, Gregg won more than
two-thirds of his games with Seattle
last season, his victories exceeding
the two score mark, and he sees no
reason why he should not prove
winner for the Nationals Vean as
serted he was well satisfied to land
with the champions and would give
Manager Harris the best that was in
him.
There is nothing wrong with my
arm" said the veteran, who was 26
years old when he first came up with
the Cleveland club in 1911. 81 haven't
used 1t at all this winter which /
spent at my home in Seattle, where
my brothers and myself are operat-
ing a couple of automobile filing sta
tfons but ! have been out in the air
a lot and am in good physical shape.
L figure that 1t viii take me about
Eve weeks to get ready to pitch, and
I'm sure that by TIE time the season
opens I'll be in shape. Im@getting
along IN years, as ball players go,
hut l feel good, and I think there is
a season or two of good pitching in
the old wing"
Long DriIl for Regulars.
The customary procedure for prac-
tice was reversed today on account
of the game. The regulars had the
field to themselves in the forenoon.
while the youngsters were required
to do no work until after luncheon,
4hen they staged a drill that led
right into the clash with the Cuban
team.
The morning grind was marked by
appearance of Walter Johnson on the
mound for the first time thhis Spring.
Barney pitched 70 only few batters
hut worked with his usual ease and
displayed fine control. An extra long
session for Judge, Harris and Pecllin-
paugh of the regular infield was in
duIged in, Bluege being excused early
because of the prospect of service for
~ aft