Evening star., 1928-04-07

ESPITE the drubhing 1t mas SUI
fered for the past two weeks.
Manager Stanley Harris stiil
H. believes he will be able to whip
into shape good ball ciuo
to represent Washington in the IN
ausllrai of the American League
championship season next TUESDAY.
What Harris has for the making OF MS
team local fans may see here To-Day ana
fnYnnrrow. The Giants will be met at
GTifath Stadium with each game start
tag at 5 O'Clock. as will that OF TUESDAY,
although all other championship con-
tests for the remainder OF the season
will get under way at $50.
Cns az the Oldest traditions of base
ball is that no club looks good when II
Is not hitting. If this be true. II is no
wonder the Nationals have been such
sorrv-aupearing crew in eXnioltlonS
staged since leaving the Tampa tram
ing field. They have not swung their
bats enough TO induce good perSpira-
ton. But Harris has an idea the hit
ting power is there and hopes J. VIII
not be long before it is revealed. Then,
with pitching that certainly ought TO oe
stronger than it was against the Giants
during the greater part Of the north
ward transforming tour and q reason
ably expected improvement In defense.
the Nationals should make their pres
ence felt in the flag flight. the pilot
contends
There was no punch produced by the
Nationals yesterday at Norfolk. They
took a licking from the Giants. as usual,
the tally against them being 10 TO z.
The high spots of the game were home
run drives over the wall by Red Barnes
and Fred LindStrom and the all-round
playing Of Benny Tate, Stocky catcher
OF the Nationals.
From a strictly Washington point of
view. much satisfaction was to be
cleaned from the performance of Sam
Jones. who pitched three innings
against the Giants He showed to
advantage on the hill for the first
time this Spring and apparently is
pretty close to top pitching form after
a long period Of slow and careful
training.
To Divide Work i'm Center.
In an effort to bolster the clubs
offensive the pilot has revised his team
the center field work between Sam West
and Babe Camel and shaking up the
batting order.
West, who is q far better fielder than
Camel. did not appear to advantage al
bat during his somewhat lengthy trial
In recent exhibition contests. Since be-
ing benched. however. the left-hand-
swinging recruit has displayed such a
fine spirit in endeavors TO increase his
batting ability that Harris will send him
into action as lead-off batter for the
club when the opposition starts right
hand pitcher. What little hitting West
has done has been against hurlers Of
orthodox persuasion.
CAMEL win get the cali for the center
field berth when southpaw finger is
started. but win bat In second place in
the order. Sam Rice. who has been
heading the batting list, win drop TO
the second hole when West is In the
starting lineup and resume his GUS
tomary position when Camel Is EN-
pl0yed Harris believes that West viii
do better as a lead-ofT batter than he
cid in the fifth position he formerly
helG. The pilot holds that West, al
ready IN fearful slump at the plate,
was more depressed by following batters
who were meeting the bali fairly.
When Goose ooslin viii resume his
left field position permanently Is un-
certain. The Goose has been complain
ing OF sore throwing arm for some
time. but apparently has not done
much to rid the wing Of its ailment.
When in the field. he makes no effort
to throw any distance and the arm
trouble seems TO have brought about
q deterioration in his playing. Hits
from Goslin's bat have been scarce
and his fielding of ground balls this
Spring has been atrocious.
System of Fines Adopted.
Harris has intimated that the Goose
must do something quickly to get him.
self into condition 70 play or adorn
the bench without drawing pay. This
Is In accord with the managers newly
adopted policy OF cracking the whip
from now on. A system Of fines. some
thing the Washington club has not had
for several seasons. nov Is In effect,
ard all members Of the outfit, re-
cr11its as well as veterans. viii have
their pay Topped If they make mistakes
In play or fail to perform With spirit.
Careiessness on the base paths. fall
TIRE 10 run out hits OF 10 slide In obvi-
oaIsly close places, sloyenly outfield play.
the missing OF signs and other steps OF
similar nature VIII bring quick punish
n1ent for the offender. The manager
vii be a bit more lenient where the
rockies are concerned than with the
vets. but none viii escape. In the case
Of the younger players the fines win be
YsgiIder, but they viii draw them.
Against the Giants yesterday Harris
tried the same pitching plan he used
In the final game Of the world series OF
1924. He started q ieft~hand hurler
then switched 10 q right handler caus-
ing the New York oatfieid 10 he changed
70 a portside punching crew. and came
back with another Solthpaw finger II
did not work 80 well. though, AZ 1t did
fn "a. In the first three rounds Bot
Burke was reached for seven niis ailo
six runs Sam Jones then came on foi
. fine three innings. I'm which ne gave
up bat one safety: then I'd Wells took
his punishment in the last two frames
He Yielded four hits and as many runs
In the meanwhile the Nationals fonno
II difficult 10 DO much 10 the pitching
OF Chaplin, q right hander, VINO mas
had bat one year Of professional expert
ence since leaving the University of
Fiori6a nine. The Nationals got nus