Evening star., 1926-02-16

developments of the last year or so
material advancement, but there are
existing conditions with some doub
Calvin Griffith and Stanley Raymon
metropolis of the west coast is, of
the Washington bali club for the az
misgivings in regard to the present
that they may prove serious hant
jective.
When the Nationals first started
doing their Spring work here, back
in 1920, Tampa was a rather sleepy
town of some 10000 population, with
nothing more allurinG to distract the
attention of the athletes from serious
training than a walk in the park
or a movie show. In the six years
intervening the town practically has
doubled IN size and means for activl-
ties generally held not conducive to
the advancement of a ball player in
his chosen profession have more than
kept pace with the increase in popu-
lation.
Too Many Diversions.
This Winter, for instance, there are
half a dozen golf courses, where for
merly there were but two. The most
famous linkSmen of this country and
some from Europe. too, make frequent
appearances and draw huge galleries.
The sport of dog races, where both
matinee and evening programs are
held, with carefully kept charts of
past performances and pari-mutuei
betting. has grown so in favor that
there now are two tracks within so
minutes motoring distance of the city.
Further evidence of the extent to
which Tampa is becoming sport
center is found in the fact that with
in a fortnight some of the top-rank-
ing performers in the tennis world
including Bill Tilden, national cham
pion, and Vim Richards. chief challen-
ger for the title. are to appear in
matches here, and before the end OF
the week the woman's national swim
ming and diving championships, in
which the cream of the country's mer-
maids are entered, are to get under
way at a nearby country club
In addition. Thursday of this week
will mark the inauguration Of horse
racing in this vicinity, when the West
Coast Jockey Club opens a siX-week
meeting at the new track just outside
the city limits. On top of all this
tendency toward a liberal policy in the
matter of other attractions seems
TO be prevailing, cabarets and road
houses being plentiful and no diligent
search being necessary to locate es-
tablishments where games Of chance,
such as faro and roulette, may be in
duged in.
Ban on Ponies.
Needless to say, some of the ave
nues of recreation do not tit in Well
with ideas of those responsible Tor
getting a band of ball players in
prime physical condition for a siren
nous Summer of campaigning, hence
the dubious attitude OF MessrS. Grll-
fifth and Harris in regard to the IN
creased livelineSS OF their spring
home.
With some of the diversions recent
lv made available no fault whatever
can be found, involving as they do
time beneficlally spent in the sun
shine and fresh air. but the president
and manager of the champions are
making no effort to conceal the ap-
prehension they feel over the ADVENT
of horse racing here.
Not only is it calculated to attract
MANY sportively inclined persons VINO
might otherwise patroniZe Dali games,
but the ponies have such a strong ap-
peal TO Il majority of ball players
that when they are running close at
hand the athletes are inclined TO
dwell on matters relating to the turf
~ the exclusion of the national pas
time.
Experience has taught the leaders
nf the Griffmen that racing and base
ball do not mix well, for the players
cannot maintain the proper degree Oh
interest in training II they are
hustling through their chores 10 seI
out to the track or spending thelr OH
hours in pouring over form charts.
Sports Don't Mix.
Roth Griffith and Harris frankly
are fond of horse racing ana ire
uuentlv may be seen at the tracks
1hout Washington after the base ball
season ends, but they are well aware
that it presents an appeal TOO Stfoils
Tor the mere privates in the ranks OF
the diamond sport to indulge In WIFI
out the chief business at hand SUI
tering. Bucky is so convinced OF TINS
fact that he has announced he Will
not attend the track at all, regardleSS
nj the fact that the races Will De IN
operation here practically through
out the time the team is In camp.
AS vet no change in the usual pro
gram for drilling by the players mas
been ordered because Of the tact thal
The bangtails will be sprlntlns oally
on the nearby oval, but If 1t is found
that the boys show too much in.eres. ear
in the horses the training hours Tor
the Nationals will be shifted from
morning to afternoon so that 1t Will
he impossible for them to go 10 tne
track.
This was done the first day out yes
terdav. but simply for the reason
that no dressing quarters could De
provided until the afternoon.
In addition to Harris himseif ana
Coach AL Schacht. the squad at the
Initial workout included Catcher Ben
nv Tate and Pitchers Ogden. Hum
phreys. Morrell, Smith, Thomas,
Jovce and Larry Schacht.
They got out on the track which
SeparateS the grandStand from What
was the diamond before the playing
field was wrecked by the State fair
last week, and after tossing the bal!
about a bit and fielding some buntS.
called it a day after less than an
hour and lined up for cold shower ir
the clubhouse, which Trainer Martin
IS hoping to have habitable within
a couple Of days.
Spence No Marvel.
One figure in a Washington uni
form, so small that the handful OF
spectators, which included the world
famous Jim Thorpe, could not be-
ueve it was that of a serious aSpirant
for a big league birth. was that of
Cecil Spence, the youngster who
came all the way from Paragould.
Ark, paying his own expenses, to get
trial as an infielder.
Spence is not more than an inch
or two over feet In height, and it
is doubtful If he weighs more than