Evening star., 1926-03-15


why should a lot of people. es-
peciallv club managers. get the idea
that q couple of pennant victories in
the league will he enough for club
that for wears was an underdog. Har-
ris continued. DO You think that
tust because some of our players have
been in harness a long time they are
ready 10 rest on their laurels and give
the other fellow the glory without
fighting" II SO. these rivals had better
open their eyes.
incentive Always Present.
This winning business IS
worth much TO the players. intrinsical-
iy and otherwise. No matter how long
a. man has bcen in base ball he re-
tains that int lse desire to win. He
doesn't hask in past glory when the
need to fight arrives. And remember.
few Of the Nationals. despite long serv-
Ice. ever got a shot a a generous world
series pool until year before last. Now
having had two Of them. they are
eager for more. IT would not be natu-
raj for them 10 curl up under the cir
rumstanceS.
You will recall that before the
opening of the season last year some
critics inferred that inflated noodles
following the winning of the American
League pennant and the victory over
the Giants would wreck the morale
nf the Nationals. They looked for the
club. especially the older members OF
II. to resort 10 a defensive game. evi-
IDENTIFY figuring Champions would
consider themselves So good that the
fight TO wrest the pennant from them
would have to he carried To them.
NO club can afford TO get into that
mood. no matter how good il is. And
the Nationals never got that way.
They won in l924 by carrying the
fight to the other man. and they won
the same way last year, and | know
I'm speaking for every one when |
say the men will carry the fight to the
other fellows again this year.
Morale OF Club Is Fine
Even though we still are somewhat
in the experimental stage. the morale
Of the Nationals is remarkable |
have been fortunate enough to lead
two fine bali squads. and | consider
the third squad | am heading AS good,
at least. as either OF its predecessors.
When the regular club steps on the
field April 3 the fans will see Il club
fully prepared for a finish fight" liar-
ris concluded.
Close observance OF the Nationals on
Harris discourse. There are no
shirkers in TIE daily drills. Every one
is on his toes and a splendid spirit OF
cooperation prevails. The veterans
virtually assured Of their jobs are toll
ing as earnestly as the recruits striv-
ing for n least second string places
All hands are looking forward 10 "A
third successive pennant for the ciub.
but with the realization that il will not
yla
every man in the squad knows that
there must be no Stacking al any time
during the struggle.
There is no oNerconfidence in the
squad. The veterans DO not Ieel that
thev must only stick along with the
other clubs until the proper time ar
rives TO step out and knock them
into Oblivion. Not by = long Shot
They are far from being cocky and
self sufficient. When they meet with
reverses they ought to know how to
take them and turn the tables on the
oppositinn As To the recruits. llar-
ris does not have IL think about
overconfdeane. These young fell
lows know m have got - hght al
the time to sin their places in the
sun.
Few Idle Days Remain.
the American League pennant chase
these Youngsters viii have plenty of
opportunity to show their wares in
competition. During tn" little more
than two weeks the Nationals are to
remain in Florida. there are but
four days, excluding sundays. for
which games are not scheduled. and
these four will he filed with plenty
Of work for al. hands.
This afternoon Il flock of the re-
cruits were to be sent into IA game
with the Tampa Cubans. who were
vanquished in tilt with the Ma
tional Yannigens last Monday. To
morrow Will be devoted to rudimen-
tary drilling, bGt thereafter the
squad Will he in competition on the
diamond almost daily unl! the 1926
training sea son Is completed.
AL Schacht and Nicn AltroCn.