Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
Criffs Need Rookie With Punch
More Than Defensive Star Now

with Montreal and Fred Sheridan with
Newark
OF the inactive infielders here. none
has yet shown any pronounced ability
at bat Cronin, soon to report. Is not
supposed to be a particularly strong
hitter. OF the lot farmed out, only
Shirley has been banging the ball to
any extent. Not much punch in sight.
The club officials are to be commend
ed for endeavoring to strengthen the
Nationals in any way possible. Buying
players always is gamble, yet the
Washington club never has failed to
gamble In this respect. But. many ask,
why all the hunt for an abundance Of
prospective defensive strength when
one good socker. even though rather
crude fielder might be so much more
valuable TO the Nationals?
Manager Harris expects TO get an
other smart game out OF Sam Jones
this afternoon In the second game of
the series with the Browns. The vet
eran has been In fine fettle for some
time and has had good rest since his
last start that meant anything. His
effort Friday took nothing from him.
for he made but two pitches before rain
ended hostilities with the Indians.
The St Louis hurting this afternoon
likely will be done by Jack Ogden or
George Blaeholder These pitchers
have had much more than the custom
airy iay-off since starting last.
Spring exhibition games may not be
so dismal. in so far as the Nationals
exchequer Is concerned. at Tampa next
year. Latest advices from the Florida
town reaching the clubs headquarters
indicate that Sunday base ball will be
permitted at the Nationals training
base next Spring and already clubs OF
the senior major league that train In
the vicinity OF the West Coast city are
dickering with Clark drifith for Sun
day dates. Games on this day should
help both the Nationals and Tampa.
Little money poured into the Golfers
of the club last Spring. the expendi-
lures at the training camp running far
In excess OF the receipts. SO poor was
the patronage of the week day engage
ments that President Griffith declared
he would have to seek another training
base for his club unless It's exhibitions
were better supported. Tampa is an
ideal spot for conditioning ball club
but much money Is needed 10 pay the
freight and Tampa contributed little
1t has been the policy OF the Wash
ington club to offer the finest exhibit
ton program TO be found In Florida
during the training season, but this
policy would have to be abandoned I'M
less the Nationals we're assured OF
better backing by the Tampa fans. The
club would use Tampa only for actual
training work and play It's games else
where In the State, according to Presi-
dent Griffith should there be- no change
In the attitude of Tampans toward the
exhibitions at Plant Field
But with Sunday base ball possible
President Griffith sees an opportunity
To bring the best of the National League
clubs In training In the Gator State 10
tho Washington lot at Tampa With
the other cities not having Sunday base
ball, the Tampa games would attract
ihrongs from the greater part OF the
West Coast territory and the Wash
ington treasury would be helped sum
GENTLY 10 permit the Use OF Plant Field
for most OF the clubs Spring engage
ments on week days. too. when patron
age would not he so heavy
II really looks as though Sunday
base ball AT Tampa would beneflt
Tampans as much ms the Nationals.
Alvin Cr0wder has been challenged by
Irving Hadley his former teammate
here and at Birmingham. TO duel to
the finish and very likely IT will be
fought tomorrow at Grifiith Stadium,
The former Baron and National now
with the Browns has been travelling at
a great clip on the hill this year. just
a few days ago turning In his tenth
win and he has yet to suffer defeat,
Hadley has not been getting along any
too we'll. despite much good pitching,
but the Lynn boy opines he can take
the measure OF the General, II the
managers are agreeable. the boys will
20 Ia II tomorrow And the remainder
al the Nationals are Just as conndent
A. their pitcher that they viii be the
club to shatter CroWder's winning
streak, Yes. The jousting ought 10 be
worth watching.