Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-06

This battle heads the list OF
American League have listed against
circuit. two OF the international Lei
can Association.
Following the tilt this aftcrnoo
action again until next Thursday. "
encounter tho Buffalo club. a retui
for a week from today at TAMPA.
four games each being schedu ed TO-
the 10 days immediately prior to the {
they are carded TO play every after
The New York Giants en- route No
billed at the Georgia Avenue Stad
10 and II.
These pre- season skirmishes are re
garded as the best method Of con.
ditioning club that can be devised.
Mere practice. of course. is essential
and is the means to an end that
could be achieved in no other way.
but it is in actual battles that the
players get the polishing they need
for the regular campaign, for in them
alone does team encounter the same
conditions that prevail when the real
race gets under way.
Exhibition Games Help.
II was to the fact that the Nationals
had a tough exhibition schedule with
the Giants last Spring that their SUI
perb condition at the outset of the
1925 sea son principally was due. All
told a dozen clashes We're staged then
with the McGrawmen and their con
clusion found the Griffs right on
edge.
It will be recalled that the Wash
ington club made a poor showing at
the start of its series with the Giants
Ia st Spring, finishing on the short end
Of something like five of the first half
dozen contests. This was because
Manager Stanley Harris refused to
drive his men at top speed until
thoroughly convinced they were able
20 stand the gaf. and the wisdom Of
his course was demonstrated by the
strong finish made by the Griffmen.
who finally wound up on even terms
with the National League representa-
tives.
II is not improbable that history
will repeat itself this year and that
the Nationals may appear far from
impressive in the early games. as the
same holdhack policy again is to he
pursued. But Harris wisely figures
that these Florida results do not get
into the standing of the club and will
he content to have his players ready
for the big prize regardless Of how
the preliminary sortes result.
May Not Use Thomas.
Only about two-thirds Of the squad
nlotored over here by bus TODAY for
the meeting with the Braves. the
others being left back in Tampa to
do their training chores at Plant
Field as usual The stay-at homes in
clnded all of the veteran hurlers in
addition to some Of the greenest
Youngsters. 1t was Harris intention
10 use Ray Joyce. Irving Hadley and
Clarence Thomas in the box against
the Beaneaters. each to toll three
innings.
But as there was some question
of the latter's fitness. due to slight
hip injury he received in practice
Thursday. Jim Lyle also was in
cluded with the fingers as a pre-
cautionary measure. Larry Schacht
and Harry Kelley also were brought
along TO pitch to the hatteYS in prac-
tice prior to the game. while AL
Schacht was on hand TO help out
with that assignment as well as clown
with Nick Altrock for the aInuse-
InenJ Oh the sunshine lily 1dpS.
Kenny Tate and Hank SEVERED
we're down TO split the catching job
between them, and the starting line
ZIP was expected to consist Of Johnny
Tobin In right field. Manager Harris
at second base. Sam Rice in center,
Goose Goslin in left. Judge at first,
OsSie Bluege at third and Buddy Myer
at short.
In addition. Earl McNeely and
Maurice Archdeacon were toted along
for relief duty in the outf1eld. while
Stufry Stewart and Joe Harris made
the trip in expectation Of seeing some
service with the inner Gordon.
Braves Are Ready
Because of the unexpectedly fne
showing of the Braves las1 season.
with the resultant heightened hopes
ON the part OF Hub fans. Manager
Dave Bancroft is expected TO push his
charges to the utmost in an endeavor
TO make as good a showing a s possible
in the preseason tilts. and in that
manner convince the folk back home
that he is hossing a potential first
division entry.
The Nationals probably viii be
called on today to face hurting of mid
season caliber, including plenty Of
hooks. For this reason they will be
at considerable Of disadvantage. as
but one or two OF the Griffithian
rockies have csSayel curves thus far.
and the batsmen, most Of whom have
been in training less than a week.
have had no opportunity Of getting
their optics attune,i for high-grade
hurting.
Harris naturally docs not relish
defeat at any time, but asserted this
morning he would rather finish on
the short end Of the count than take
chance Of giving some Of his charges
a setback by asking them to attempt
more in the WAY OF effort than their
condition warrants.
Bill MCGOWAN. one OF k,e newest
members of Presiden. ia johnson 5
staff OF ahitrators. and W is slated
10 ofticiate in al tho eXhibAion games
the Nationals participate in. blew into
camp YESTERDAY evening" and accom-
panied the players here. MCGOWAN Is
popular with the athletes generally
and. judged by his work last season,