The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-03-15
EGIAN
(3R(QONED
70 STAY
BY Louis A. Dougher

OY AUuAG kAs 4WGSAA~A
TAMPA, Fla. March 15.-Three
weeks ago sammy West was con-
sldered certain to start the season in
center field Tor the Griffmen. Today
Lovely Barnes, the sorrel-topped,
freckIe-necked, barrel-chested fot-
bali star from the University Of
Alabama. has well nigh crowded
the Texan out OF the picture. Now,
81 looks as K it would be Barnes
whose name would appear in the
line up on April 10 when the Boston
Red Sex help the Griffs open the
1928 campaign in the Griffith Stau-
fam.
Vests injured leg, thought COM
pletely cured BY the winters rest,
has broken down again. To make
matters worse, the youngster mas
Ioet confidence. He fears it may
70 out altogether, leaving him
crippled and done as a player.
on the other hand Lovely
Barnes ii built like a locomotive
and has the courage OF great
dane. He was at first being
groorned for right field, but now he
u PLAYING the middle garden ana
being coached to remain there. I'm.
less he. goes to piece altogether.
ana that seems impossible, he VIII
ret the call over West Tor the
starting Job in the outfield between
GosIin and Rice.
West has plenty Of speed
when IN shape, Is q baIl-haWk
fm the OutfieId and Is q fine
thrower. But Il he can't move
around on that leg, he viii be
Of no pibbIe to the team,
and he seems afraid Of taking
chance and finding out one
way or another. Meanwhile, rs
thu days 90 BY Barnes looms up
moro and more formidable as >
rival. Right now he has the
call.
Barnes, like West, is q south |
paw hitter. though q right-handed |
thrower. He has quite as much |
speed as the young Texan, though |
he doesn't look the part. At st.
Petersburg he showed excellent |
judgment in going back to the
fence an robbing Hornsby OF an
extra base hit. Manager Harris had
plenty Of praise for that catch,
which really called for skill in the
player.
Something has been said Of
Barnes. poor work on ground balls,
but he hasn't shown any OF this
weakness thus Tar. Furthermore,
neither GosIin nor Rise IS exactly
wonder on ground balls In the
outfield and Barnes win hardly
disgrace them.
In his three games played to
date. Barnes has hit for ~,
going to bat III times, scoring
two runs and getting three hits
for b total Of five bases. Three
Of the seven pitchers facing
him have been sOuthpaWs. yet
two Of his hits. including his
three bagger. came off left.
handlers. This does not argue
for much hitting weakness.
A IN outfielder. Barnes looks
a. good AZ the others. He ISN'T
afraid to call for q ball. Indeed,
he insisted on making q catch at
st. Petersburg with Goslin right |
beside him. His voice could be |
heard all over the park. as he |
called for the ball. Goslin pulled |
uEy LhOuSu No COuIu easily nave |
made the catch. Barnes gameness
pleased Manager Harris not a lit
tie. Not every youngster would
have made that play in just that
way.
Babe Cancels terrific hitting In
practice entities him to the belief
that he win be retained. IL only as
an occasional hitter in tight places.
Therefore, ii West in kept in the
hope OF eventually playing, Tzloza
and Simons may be sent to Birming-
ham for seasons experience before
once more trying their luck in fast
company.
IL 1t Is decided to part with West.
giving him another year in the
minors, either Kloza or Simons may
hang on as extra help, with the
former favored because he looks like
coming slugger and hits from hte
right side of the plate.
But Lovely Barnes seems to
have cinched the center field berth
for himself. with Vests future very
much In doubt.