Evening star., 1926-02-21


brightly.
Trainer NJ artin saw to it that I'll
then drove them at top speed for me
Although most of the drills held this
week have been comparatively short
as regards time consumed they have
been high-pressure affairs while they
lasted, and none of the bunch has
been without some physical reminder
of the unwonted exercise. Stiff joints
and sore muscles are only to be cN-
pected in the elimination OF bodily
rust due to a Winter of idleneSS.. how
ever, and after the lay-off on the Sab
bath the athletes are expected to re-
sumo toll Monday with a fine foun-
dation laid for the conditioning essen
tial to a long Summer of campaign
ing.
Harris in Good Trim.
Despite an annoying cold. Harris
himself showed up in the trim condi-
tion that seems invaria BILE with him.
While no criticism could be made of
the appearance OF the lean and altitu-
dinous Smith, the tall and finely built
Morrell and Thomas, or the shorter
and smaller-framed Joyce and Hum
phreys.
Tate has but d few pounds to work
0ff, the greatest amount of super
!luous avoirdupois being toted by Mar
oerry, Ogden and Larry ScSadt None
II this trio is greatly burdened with
excess flesh, however. and as more
han seven weeks remain before the
season opens plenty OF time is avail
able for gradual reduction.
While no line whatever has been OBJ
tainable on the pitching ability of the
youngsters who largely compose this
initial squad. the elementary nature
in inc
Impossible, the identity of the players
who will comprise the Washington
mound corps when the season opens
can be predicted with certain degree
or assurance, even at this early date.
Figure Ogden Regular.
Assuming that 10 fingers. the Gus
tomary number. will be carried and
that Ruether ultimately gets in line
the half dozen in addition TO Dutch
who are sure of berths are Johnson,
Coveleskie, Marberry, Bush. Fergu-
son and ogden. To this group can
be added the names of Kelley and
Thomas, with Morrell. the most like
y other HEAVIER. 1t may be that Lyle
or Joyce or Humphreys or Larry
Schacht will display enough class TO
warrant his retention at the expense
of one of the favored 10, but that re-
Morrell is a sizable chap of six
feet in height and weighing ITO
pounds, who makes his home in
Wayland. Mass, where he was born
25 years ago. He is a Highlander,
with sandy hair which borders on to
red and has the looSeneSS of action in
his delivery which usually distin-
guishes a good finger from a poor
one.
t. I,n INN
Morrell flashed with team of East
ern Ieaguers in an exhibition against
the Griffmen at Hartford. Conn, late
last season that caused him TO be
signed, end those who witnessed that
effort are confident he possesses suf-
ficient stuff to hang on with the
Champions. Thomas, who is an lnch
taller than Morrcll and outweighs
him by about some 10 pounds, Is only
o1 wears old. but the Abingdon. Va.
left-hander is regarded as an even bet
ter prosnect than Kelley, who is bet
Ter known to patrons of the Georgia
avenue inclosure and IS held In great
esteem by the Washington board of
strategy.
Youngsters Impressive
Although several inches shorter and
many pounds lighter than Thomas.
Kelley has in common with him, one
being youth and the other a sort OF
fadeaway delivery that is expected to
he the chief asset of both in their
chosen profession. While Thomas is
southpaw and Kelley a right-hander,
and they use slightly different
methods in manipulating the pellet,
each boasts of floater that is eX-
tremely hard to hit, and it is this
fn ha
valued. This delivery variously is
referred to as a fingernail ball and
knuckler, but whatever it's name bats
men are agreed that it is difficult
thing to correctly guage.
Where Thomas has the edge on
Kelley it is in the possession of
barrel of speed as we'll as the max
ings of a good curve, Harry having no
fast ball worthy of the name. Zach
has proved his gameness in tight sit
nations, Kelley in particular having
given several exhibitions OF coot
headednesS under fire.
With both the question of their es-
adjustment as big league fixtures
depends largely on the element of
control. While steadier at his age
than most fork handlers all of
whom seem to be naturally bit
wilder than their orthodox brethren,
Thomas has considerable pOilSn 10 dc-
quire in the art of placing his pitches.
and in the case of Kelley there Is
no question but that his future hinges
on his ability to make alien hitters
offer at the sailer he manipulates, for
he hasn't enough in his repertoire
aside from that to get by on.
Knuclxler Real Puzzle.
That it is possible for q finger to
10 achieve notable success with little
stock in trade aside from Il knuckle
ball has been demonstrated conclu-
sively in the case of Edwin Americus
EommeI Of the Athletics. Rommell
makes no effort to disguise the fact
that he is employing his pet puzzler,
or If he tries he doesn't succeed. When
he propels one of those shoots plate
ward, it is apparent to every player
in .:1e park. His delivery is tele-
.-raphed by the manner in which he
holds the ball. 1t is as if he said Here
t is; try and hit it, They try because
ne gets it over, but they don't often
succeed.
Kelley has not yet mastered the art
Of making the ball go where he aims
il, when he essays the knuckler. They
,eldorn meet it solidly when they go
: :, r it, but he has no such success