Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-02
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.
Sports Editor Of The star.

ever have seen" That was tn
Il comment of Bucky Harris toda
after watching the recruits col
iected for the 1928 edition of tn
Nationals go through their first complet
session Of the Spring training season.
Harris was particularly impressed
with the appearance of the youthful
pitchers who have been undergoing pre-
lininary conditioning since a week agt
last Monday and warmly commended
Coach Clyde Milan and Trainer Mix,
Martin on the success Of their directoria
efforts
Il don't know how much these youn:
fellows have got in the way of stuff. anc
won't try 10 find out for several day!
yet" continued the manager. who ar.
rived Yesterday evening from Washing.
ton III party which included Jot
Judge. Goose Gos!in. Oss Bluege. Mich
Altrock and Al Schacht. They wont
be asked 10 bear down for a while yet
Its safer 10 allow them two full weeks
to harden their muscles and besides the
hitters aren't ready to cope with speed
and hooks. You know batSman needs
training for his eye just as we'll as q
pitcher does for his arm and about naN,
Monday will be time enough for the
Fingers to start putting something or
the ball
Pitchers Please Harris.
Instead Of not asking them to bea,
down. guess ! should have said We will
try to keep them from doing it." Har-
ris unused as one after another of the
rockies was cautioned against display
ing tendency TO cut loose while or
the hill. They're not supposed to dc
anything at this stage of the game ex-
cept get the ball over the plate where
the oatsmen can get a fair crack al
It. They're doing that in satisfactory
style and I am more than pleased over
their obviously good physical condition
SO far as ! can observe there is not a
single one who is in anything but fine
form
Harris also was gratified with the
way his more seasoned fingers. such as
CASTOR, LiSenbee, Marberry, Wells and
Zachary, doomed up. With one or two
exceptions, these were directed to pass
up the toll involved in a full session
OF providing targets for batting prac-
fice, but Bucky carefully looked them
all over while In the process Of warm
Ing up and found little to criticize. al
though his shrewd eye discerned tina;
TWO or three Of them were carrying a
bit OF excess weight
As a preliminary to the inauguration
OF the new training program which
went into effect today with the players
divided into two squads with the first
coming on to the field shortly before
10 O'Clock, the second following about
an hour later end all activities ceasine
IN time for the athletes to invade the
dining room for luncheon before /, the
performers on hand yesterday were put
through the initial batting and fielding
drill OF the year First Sans, and then
Griffin, Lisenbee. Burke. Hopkins. Do
mingo and Roy went to the rubber and
hurled for 10 minutes or so each.
Batters Show Punch.
Pete Cooper and Hugh McMullen al.
ternated behind the plate and took
their turns at bat along with West
Reeves. Barnes. Tate. Smith, Hayes
Shirley. ellis, Camel Simons and
Ralph Cooper. Zachary also horned in
on the party near the close. and the
carried all the way TO tse Motel fol
before the session was half over Sam
Rice made his appearance and got in
some whacks, although he had an
nounced earlier that he was not feel
ing very pert and didn't think he would
take a workout
This initial wand drill found Foster
Camel attracting the lions share OF
attention. This sturdy acquisition from
birmingham started In right where he
left of last season at Washington
where he achieved a .437 average, TO
earn nominal leadership OF the A.neri-
can League for the bakers dozen OF
games he participated in. OF course.
the fingers we're merely laying 'em
straight over. but the other batsmen
failed 70 display anything like the punch
Camel flashed. He was swinging
easily and apparently with no effort
whatever, yet repeatedly sent the sphere
On journeys TO the more distant
stretches Of the outfeld Next TO Gan
ze! the best showing with the stick was
made by Sam West and Pete Cooper
Most OF the others had a tough time
trying 10 get hold Of the ball
In the initial infeId drill that fol.
lowed. With Coach Milan welding a ba,
10 provide Founders and Benny Tau
stationed at the plate. Shirley was a,
nTst base, ellis and Hayes at second
Smith at third and Reeves and yoins
Eaipn Cooper at shortstop. This PROVED
70 Dc a spirited session, with all hand,
enaring twisters in surprisingly agile
fashion considering 1t vas their frs,
time out. but again there was an out.
stanc'ng performer. this time Shirley
Shirley Pine al First.
Mule. who was fine fielder when h.
graduated from the University Of EortE
Carolina and first received an inspec.
non Win the Griffmen, demonstratee
tHat he is even better now He wa,
H&shEp4EO tn
snc scf1opapg up throws from ever,
direction, 10 the expressed delight O
the largest crowd Of spectators that ha.
RYacfd Plant Field this season, /
Shirley. with the Greenvilte Club OF In,
South Atlantic Association last season
nss improved as much in hitting a
the ~asi percentage ne compiled Their,
woulc indicate, he may yet give Jidg,
and SisleE tussle for the initial cor
xer assignment, as he can hold his own
on defense with either of them now.
La the 1nteld drill today one cor
don was coinposed ~ Shirley. Harrl.
Reeves and Smith. while the othe
comprised Judge. Hayes. ellis, Elueg
end Ralph CroDer The complexion o
these squads probably wiz he main
tanned TINS way for the time being
with the pitchers spit up betyeeI
them.
The Illness with which Bump Had
ley Vas stricken yesterday evening act
60 ss sort III dafnpef Oh the Spirit
~ the athletes To-Day and caused r1u
siderable apprehension u the official
Cf the club. HadIfy has been a sui
fefer for tome time from chronic ~
peDcicitis He nan one attack wnil
with the club last ssuInmer anothe
shortly after tLe cbySe III The season
Snd third this last Winter.
His present trouble Ia believed u, b
q Eare-up III the old complaint sl
though The doctor called In ~ atten
him has not yet completed his dag
| rFKHINC Il