The Washington times., 1925-04-20
AZ II n THOMAS.

By r. d. THOMAS.
PHILADELPHIA, April 90
Comes the tip that Walter Beall,
the American League pitching
puzzle, is counted upon to start q
game for the New York Yankees
In the Griffmen's homecoming
ries opening Wednesday.
If Beall foots the rubber the
Nations Capital win view the con-
test with hashed emotion. Loyalty
70 q native son wiz vie with 10y
atty to q home team for which
Washington has q large place IN
its heart.
II a with considerable interest
chat the Griffmen look forward to
= clash with the youth who got his
baseball start on the lots OF their
own adopted town. They have In
mind & day two springs ago when
Beall stood them on their ears with
4 curve ball one yard wide. tnat
broke too fast for batting comfort.
Beall, pitching for Rochester, was
marked then and there by Stanley
Harris and other Griffmen as
certain major league prospect. He
became the most effective pitcher
III the international League and
Miller Huggins thought 1t q fair
bargain when Colonel Rupert was
prevailed upon to hit the bankrou
$50 900 worth In exchange for Beall
toward the end Of last season.
The Washington youth inn
modiateIy showed class by win
ming four out Of six games in the
thick of one Of the hottest big
league pennant races on record.
Higgins congratulated himself
upon having picked up q real
pitcher. He visioned Walter Beall
in the role of a regular on his
pitching staff for the campaign just
getting under way. IL Higgins has
been quoted accurately.
But BealI is now some what OF
an uncertainty.
In spring training camp the
Yankees hammered his stuff about
as they pleased. No Importance was
attached to his early efforts,
naturally, but as the days went by
and Walter showed little improve
ment Higgins. it is said, was q
trifle disappointed. Throughout
this spring Bean has shown to no
advantage. In his last appear
ance, against Brooklyn In an ex-
hibition game, he issued four con-
secutive bases on balls and was
yanked.
But the young man himself is
neither disappointed nor discour-
aged by his showing. II am
sorry" he said recently, that /
that may have been expected Of
me, but 1 am sorry on Huggins'
account alone. He has had faith
in me and has not indicated to me
that he has lost 1t. will prove
to him later on that his confidence
has not been misplaced.
81 have never been much good
in the early spring. The year
pitched against Washington was
one Of the few good springs |
ever had, even while pitching
sandlOt ball. need q lot Of
actual work In the box to put me
really right. The bull pen won't
do II. have got to pitch to
batters TO get my stuff working
effectively.
well, I expect to get a lot Of
work throwing 'em in there for the
rest of the boys batting practice and
1t won't be long now before
come around. 4 can pitch winning
ball in this league. And, according
to at least one leading authority on
pitching, Beall's is not a meaning
less chirp. Walter johnson has
seen Beall perform and today voiced
his respect for the young mans
ability.
He has a real curve ball." Wal
ter said. land his fast one is not
half bad, with a hitting club be-
TO be a winner this year and / be-
believe that il he takes care OF
himself he will make a fine record
in his major league career"
1t il almost needless to mention
that Walter johnson is not given
TO flattery.
However, the Griffmen are in
tTested, but not deeply concerned
over the prospect of facing BealI,
nor any other member of Miller
Higgins staff of Fingers.
The world champions have i'm
mediate cause for worry. Connie
Mack has q pitching staff not to be
laughed out -" the way and num-
bkred among the clan of Cornelius
are several batSmen Of exceeding
skill.
Ed RommeI, Stan Baumgartner
and Sam Gray. all worthy pitchers.
are waiting shots at the -Griffmen
in the two games that remain 70 be
played here today and tomorrow.
IL II George Mogridge's turn to
tOil Tor the Griffmen johnson will
Fitch the opener In Washington.
AnnNntm Vw10op A 1aAfkaas feAaN,