The Washington times., 1927-03-05
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BY Louis "A. Dougher

by Louis As Tougher
TAMPA, Fla, March 5.--The first
81 26 spring exhibitions to be played
year comes today on Plant Field
use about two teams. against the
Boston Braves. TomotroW's pa
pers will carry the old familiar box
score for the first time this sea-
son.
Both managers plan to use three
pitchers against the foe, each work
ng for three frames. The Griffmen
will depend upon Horace Lisenbee,
from Memphis, General tCroWder
and Admiral Decatur Jones. Dave
Bancroft will call upon Mills, lIearn
and Edwards. three youngsters.
Iris Speaker is not expected
to appear i'm the Washington
lineup, McNeely and West hold.
ing down Speakers Job in cen.
terrified. Ali the other regulars
win start, though most OF them
will give way to rockies before
the game ends. Like Speaker,
Muddy Ruel will remain out Of
buc SpOkASubS A0VO 0AsU nSASCN
doing the catching.
Billy Sunday, the evangelist, will
umpire and insists that he win get
ousy with the first player who
registers a kick.
what do to old Kid Devil
won't be a marker alongside of
what I'll tell that player who
iares to tell me I'm blind" says
the evangelist.
Four games were on the Washing
ton schedule for next week. The
Boston Braves win be played a re.
turn game at st. Petersburg on
Tuesday. Thursday the Griffs viii
battle the forlorn Phils at Bradenton,
moving down that night to Sarasota,
where the Giants win be played on
Friday and Saturday. The Ameri-
can leaguers will arrive here late
Saturday night, after an absence OF
three days.
Dick Coffman has been promoted
to the first team largely because he
has progressed enough to use a
curve ball. The tall blonde from
Athens, Ala, uncovered his wares
yesterday with entire success. He
burned his fast ball past the bats.
men and his benders had them all
worried. Not till he tired was he
punished any.
Following his trick in the box
COffman underwent instructions
from Al Scllacht looking toward
the development of q slow ball.
If the big lad acquires q change
Of pace he win be back In the big
show In hurry. He may not
hang on this season; but q strong
cable will be attached to him
whenever he slips back TO the
minors.
Iris Speaker forgot he was a pri.
vate yesterday. and, seeing Bucky
Harris busy far away, took George
Murray and Bob Burke over the
jumps. He gave Murray personal
instructions in covering UP the ball
in his glove as he delivered 1t. He
showed Burke how to get more
weight into his delivery by taking
an added step after delivering the
ball to the plate.
Speakers action, wholly unex-
pected. was entirely inoffensive. He
lust saw something to be done and
did it, that's all. He probably never
paused to think how his lessons
might be taken. AS a matter or
fact both Murray and Burke, know.
ing the veterans experience and
great reputation, ate up his words
and began at once to follow his
advice.
President Griffith was standing
close to Speaker and said nothing.
A bright light in his eyes, though,
told a story clearer than words.
The nagnate relished Speakers
earnestness and desire to help the
team. The incident was over in
almost no time, but 1t served to
show that the former Cleveland
manager is going to earn that sal
airy this season in more ways than
one.
Dick COffman was the first to
omen with curves, but Clayton
Van Alstyne followed suit when
the second team swung into &C.
ton and Van AIstyne's sweep
ing hook made COffman's look
like q mere wrinkle. The for.
mer Bridgeport singer banks
ON his curve ball, and he has
. beauty, easily the best Of all
on the squad.
During the week ending today
the Griffs have experienced much
cold weather, not enough to pre-.
vent practice, but enough to hinder
the athletes. Next week, however,
the thermometer IL expected to rise
appreciably, and the players should.
benefit a lot.
When Harris takes his team out
of town for those four approaching
games, Jack Onslow will be left in
charge OF the rockies and he win
supervise their daily workouts. He
is well able to do that, having the
entire respect of every player In
uniform.
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