Evening star., 1928-02-28
BY nENMAN THOMPSON.


"AMpA. Fla. February 2S.--That
ancient saw 10 the effect that
no chain is stronger than its
i weakest link furnishes some
food for thought i'll connection
with tic Washington bali club
The Nationals of 1928, 50 far rs they
can be Visualized at this early stage Of
the training season, seem adequately
bolstercd III the matter Of m0UndSnlcn,
with competent corps Of CatCh2rS 10
receive them. and have tested perform
ers of known worth for three OF the
four infield assignments and for two
Of three garden posts, The points re-
garding which there IS some doubt arc
ShortStop and center field,
These positions are among the most
important OF a bail club 1t is an Old
and universally subscribed 10 axiom q
the diamond that no team not SatiSiac-
tOrily manned on a line straight from
the home plate through 10 the middle OF
the farthevmoSt sector Of the field can
harbor any reasonable hope Of attain
irg 10 championship heights. Veteran
followers Of the paStimo Will defy Tou 10
name any tit!e-winnlng outfit with
faulty cog down through the dead cen
ter Of the machine. although there
have been MANY which reached the PIN
nacle despite The handicap Of deficient
accessories IN other spots.
Many Shortficld Aspirants.
Numerically the GriHmen are well
supplied with candidates for both va
cancies, there being five 2Spirants for
the precinct lying midway between
those patroled BY Goose GoSlin and Sam
Rice. and half a dozen entertaining the
ambition to cavort over the terrain
where George Mcbride and. later. Roger
Peckinpaugh performed with so much
distinction.
Theoretically, all OF these lads Will
start from scratch when the real bat
ting for herths gets under way with the
inauguration of training for the ''regu-
lars" next Friday. but in reality two or
three must be conceded to hold quite an
edge on their rivals II each instance.
The rookie fielding delegation. as an
example. comprises Bob Reeves. Grant
GilliS. Jack Hayes, Ernest Smith.
Tommy Taylor and Ralph Cooper, the
latter younger brother Of Al Cooper,
who is contending here against Hugh
McMulIeu for the Job OF assistant TO
Muddy Ruel and Benny Tate. fixtures
In the backStopping department. Ralph,
although touted as a better natural ball
player than the Cooper clans other rep
resentative. IS merely a kid whose eX-
perience has been limited to Semi-pro
ball il the vicinity OF his home al Fiat
River. Nc. and safely may be disregard
ed 50 far as service with the Nationals
this season IS concerned.
Tom Taylor who has been I'D with
Harris team before and is returning
this time from Houston Of the Texas
League. Is close 10 the 30-year mark and
has only an outside chance 10 stick
around. while Ernest Smith. purchased
from Kansas City Of the American Asso-
ciation, cannot be conceded any rating
higher than that Of dark horse.
Two Apt to Fight for Berth.
Judged by what has been seen Of Jack
HAYES. the 21-year-old resident Of Clan
ton. Ala. who was a Washington farm
hand with Birmingham les. season. hc
e entitled 10 pTeier,ncnt orcr this trio.
but falls 10 treasure ep IN the advance
calculations ID either Bob Recess or
Grant ellis. vino have been made IA
vo-ites in the Winter book for .he
opening II question.
Reeves. nov but % years old, who
came straight TO the Nationals from
the campus al Georgia Tech a year
ago last June. got into about two-thirGS
OF their games last season and impress
CA GA OS2-S fE-S " Ah2a &4AS 25SCEA, SlOk4aA-
covering ability and strength Of arm.
although the best he did III a hitting
way was TO indicate promise.
ClIlis, one year the senior Of Reeves.
made but q mediocre showing while un-
Ger inspection il camp here last Spring.
but placed with Birmingham ac quick
Is got into his stride. His Southern As
so",ation batting aTerace was 80
When recalled 10 Washington toward
~ "a Sea. ri
nothing In an attacking way 10 rave
about. achicFlng 4 mere .222 in 10
games. but he Gelded faWlcssiy. NhoYc-
as ReeTc%' fuu7c0:us errors CARED him
" lard a. tie bottom IF the league s
list of regular snortstops. With q per
conla2e q Caly e23
Takes Many Chances.
In Justice 10 Reeves Il must be set
forth that many If his rniscuca were
registered on difficult chances that
many another short4top would not
reach, and the poor fielding fgurc6 IN
his case Go rot constitute a seYcrc az
Indictment Ct his defensive capabilities
g. ,a!gnt D. thought
He can travel farther 10 both sides
for bounde:s shan GjlliS and can burn
o bali across the diamond Hith greater
velocity. ceEpate his aAk&ayG-appcar-
ing manner II throwing ellis arm Ia
by no manner u means weak. however
Jfe makes up What he lacks Bay CON.
pariSon in throwing power with .
greater decree ot accuracy H!th h..
pegs. anc has IT al over Eob .n an.
other important essential that ~ 81.
ecuf}ng 0rrIf@ g'ayE
When Warrington ua@ winning pet-
raufs i wa cue il ~ a;naI :laaai.la
T. lie !@ct tnaf FcoznDasoA AID
Hams we're saving Their pitchers aud
srgt.r2 alien ca!.las th!u1pu fapIc trf
iA!.-k .llLL2A tZeL-LtAc N.L. Z .Lrc.-.-..L