Evening star., 1928-02-22
ROCKIES ARE FREE
SPENDERS0F TIME
Drill About Two Hours Each
Day-AIways Show Plenty
of Pep at Table.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.
Sports Editor OF The Star.

TAMPA, Fla February 22.--Just
what is this training" big league
players do in Spring camp?
Well. it varies bit according to the
notions of the managers and directors
of physical conditioning with the in
6ividual clubs, But in the case of the
Nationals, who may be regarded as a
fair example of the lot. it really is a
very simple proposition and for the
first squad, made UP largely of can
didates for battery positions. only about
two hours of actual 5rk is required
daily. And owing to III, nature Of this
1t really is fun for tE> ooyS. especially
the younger ones. liEe Tie rockies. who
are here now.
OF course. a couple Of weeks hence.
after the regulars arrive with their
added years and sitter joints and the
exhibition games start. the going is a
bit more strenuous. but for present.
the average recruits program is some
thing on this order.
Start Not so Easy.
a.m.-Ou, of the hay. Pulls covers
of of sleepy roommate. Puts on one
sock and can't find other. Concludes
roommate hid it, SO toSses water on
huddled figure in bed. who promptly
gets up and starts 'raSslin" match.
Finally locates missing sock stuffed in
same shoe that held other one. Tries
TO think whether it was yesterday or
the day before that he last shaved.
Can't remember, so passes up the shay
ing. Finishes dressing. including room-
mates new tie while latter's back is
turned. and starts downstairs. banging
on doors Of the other fellows en- route.
$50 am.-Meets the chap he played
With two years ago in Double o League
and borrows cigarette. Starts search
of lobby for discarded morning paper,
but can't find one, so steps out on
porch to look at thermometer. Specu-
lates on temperature back home and
then asks clerk If there is any mail.
No mail Looks again for paper, pass
ing the newsstand where they are on
sale nine times. weighs himself on free
scales and is annoyed to observe same
poundage as on day of arrival. Finds
paper and trudges to dining room.
Sports Pages Scarce.
9 am. Ogles waitress, slyly puts
salt In coffee of left-hander who sits
ON his right and orders everything on
new training table menu arranged by
Mike Martin. Discards paper which he
discovers is a day old. eats breakfast
and wanders back to lobby. Borrows
cigarette Finds two papers. but with
sports pages missing from both. so
reads news over shoulder of elderly
gentleman seated in front OF fireplace.
e:l5 a.m.-Decides to write letter
home.
s:l6 a.m.-Decides not to. Joins gab-
fest with other players.
$50 am.-Starts for ball park. paus-
ing to eye enviously sporty roadster
owned by wife Of city's leading rum
tician
Gas a.m.-Enters clubhouse. Makes
sure prize glove is where he left It,
Spits in glove and sits on it while
crawling into uniform.
10 am.-Emerges on to field and Is
sent back by trainer to get his sweater.
Emerges again and wonders whether
fringe OF spectators will mistake him
for johnson. Remembers Walter isn't
with club this year. warns up. tossing
ball back and forth to another player.
Takes OF sweater to pose Tor action"
trainer yells.
Really Does Some Work.
1890 am.-Is refused privilege of
WELDING bat In pepper game, so lines
up with others In fielding bunts. Back
begins to hurt. Steps on finger in
fielding low one and shows 1t TO trainer,
who won't give It a tumble.
1880 a.m.-Joins ring Of players
passing heavy medicine ball. Back
hurts worse. Sneaks over to sit on
grass for rest
l1'io am.-Waits till volley ball net
Is erected, then wishes himself on team
he thinks viii win. Lotsa fun. Forgets
about back
1870 am.-Nojsiiy Joins chorus pro-
testing Frankie Baxter's refereefng
beat his team. Is ordered to hike twice
around park. Slows down TO walk at
FAR end and starts TO jog again when he
sees trainer giancing his way. Waits
TIL trainer disappears then cuts across
Geld 10 clubhouse.
il:45 a.m.-Gets under hot shower
1850 a.m.-Turns On cold water.
1852 am.-Turns Of cold water.
115l am.-Reaches for shoes and re-
members back Carefully places prize
glove on shelf Borrows cigarette. Re-
turns 10 hotel
1890 p.m.-Enters dining room. ogleE
waitress and orders everything on menu.
1870 pm.-Returns 10 lobby. Bor-
rows cigarette. Considers going fishing,
seeing movie or playing cards. De-
ctdes 10 take q nap Nothing TO do I'll
tomorrow.
p. s.-News note) Tate hasn't
signed yet. Nor Gosiin, Ruei BraxtOn,
Marberry. Jones. Judge. Smith and
Tayloy