Evening star., 1927-03-20
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

B "AMPA, Fla, March 19.--Only II
of the big squad of 21 pitcher:
that the Nationals had at theil
ii training base not so long agt
\, now are on the clubs roster
The latest to so back TO the minors
whence Willard Morrell, Clayton Var
Alstyne, Clarence Thomas and Franz
LOTUS went last week, is Louis NC
Evoy. who today was ordered to re
4 turn to the Chattanooga club of the
Southern Association, the outfit from
which President Clark Griffith bought
q him last Fall.
After trial of nearly five weeks
here McEvoy goes back to the Look
outs with no strings attached. The
husky young right-hander - he is "a
years old stands 6 feet inches and
weighs close to 1870 pounds-at times
flashed some real pitching ability IN
the daily drills, but waste inccnsist
ent in his work to satisfy those in
charge of the Nationals.
McEvoy came to the Washington
club along with Decatur Jones and
Dick CoffmaR from the Lookouts IN
one deal. His record last season in
the Dixie circuit was none too impres.
sive, for he was credited with only
n four victories against 10 defeats, but
he had revealed. enough natural pitch
lIlS dU1llIy tO WARRANT q bCSL Ia OiS
league company, Ii was thought. He
proved, though, to be shy of major
league caliber, although within year
or two the big fellow is apt to come
up again with some club other than
Washington.
1t is not so certain McEvoy will re-
port directly to the Lookouts, al
though he left for Chattanooga late
today He received word this morn
ing that his brother is seriously i'll,
and he may proceed to his home in
Z williamsburg, Kans He has no inten-
tion, however, of dodging a return to
the Southern Association.
Four More Soon to Go.
In all likelihood, four more of the
pitching squad soon will be shifted
y to the minors They probably will be
Joe Carroll. who came up from Little
Rock; Ralph Stewart. Birmingham
product Leo Mangum. procured from
the White Sox with Hollis Thurston
In trade for Roger Peckinpaugh, and
Curley Ogden, who for some time has
been striving to make place for him
self with the Nationals
Neither Carroll. who reported to the
Tampa camp late. after undergoing a
tonsil operation, nor Stewart has
y
an they seem ticketed for an early
return to the Southern Association
Mangum appears to be a rather fair
4 hurler. but so far he has not measured
up to several other members OF the
mound squad, who are being watched
closely by the coaches. Whether Leo
avill be farmed to the Southern circuit
6r shipped to the American Associa-
\ ton or some other high-grade minor
ses - grnffInd II fS
practically certain he will go out
under option when he leaves. Al
though he gave a good performance
when he stabbed for the Yannigans
against the Regulars early this week,
ogden is not capable enough to as
same a big league job right now. the
sSktional bosses believe. They expect
no difficulty in getting waivers on
Curley.
While Dick Coffman, the baby of the
recruit pitching squad is being given
a deal OF attention by the coaches
and promises to develop into first
,ate pitcher. he too, is apt to be
farfaed out soon. But II is certain
that when Coffman goes the club will
have tight rein on him. Both Grif-
9Th and Manager Stanley Harris con-
slider Coffman one Of the finest young
prospects they have watched In some
seasons, and they have great Iaith IN
his future Wherever Dick is sent
the powers that be on the club will
keep i'm close touch with his per.
formances
Sd great has been the Improvement
IN Irving HadleyS work within tne
mast week that he is almost sure Oh
heing carried over into the American
League championship campaign for
thorough trial. For time Hadley
was considerably overweight and the
extra poundage seemed to AFFECT ms
control Recently. though. the TOT
mer Brown University freshman nine
star in better condition has been find.
ing the target, and as he has fine
assortment of "stuff" ii would seem
the club could not afford to let him
go to the minors before test under
FIRE in big company.
Burke and Berger Impress.
One of the great surprises of the
camp has been the excellent showing
OF two of the draftees in the squad.
pitcher Bob Burke and Catcher John
Berger. These boys, purchased Tor
sums small when compared with the
amounts paid for other National re-
crlits. are pursuing their tasks in
renlarka BILE manner The former New
| Haven receiver right now virtually is
first string catcher of the club. He
. has proved To he most capable re.
/ ceiver. can peg To bases with speed
/ and accuracy. and despite poor rec
. ord as a hitter, has been meeting the
hail well in exhibition contests. lie
i Is catching head and shoulders above
Benny Tate. who has been with the
Nationals several seasons. Whether
he will match Muddy Ruel in other
departments of the game remains TO
he seen, but he certainly is a much
better bet than the veteran Of the
staff at any time in throwing.
Burke, drafted from Little Rock,
/, has done n deal of clever southpaw
sIsbbing. He has fine poise and
plenty of speed as we'll as good con.
troll and is making a determined bid
for regular job on the slabbing
stan. 1t looks as though the Ma
tionals drew a fine pair after the
cards were shuffied last Fall.
IL has been hinted that Ruel will
wear some other than a National uni
form this season, although there has
heeu no word concerning a change OF
scenery for him coming from club
headnuarters. There are rumors of
diclsering between the Nationals and
4 the Browns with regard TO the ex
change of Muddy and an infielder for
s~catcher. presumably Wally Schang
and a young inner defense player
n such n trade should he made. Il
T. fsirlv certain that Stufy Stewart
suh second sacker, would he the Ma
,ionai lnfleIder 10 go. II is about set
tied that Bob Reeves will stick with