Evening star., 1928-03-25
ostop Problem Yo1 Paddock gain Yard Mar
SISLER FIXTURE AT FIRST:
CENTER JOB WON By WEST
Conlcs; Between ellis and Reeves for Iuiied Berth
Still Ragng--Na,onals a Better Looking
Outfit Than Las, Year.

lousy low figure last December, won
over Joe Judge, for years past the
Washington initial sack guardian right
after the exhibition series began.
And the question of realigning the
outicld virtually was settled before the
training season was opened, although
the pilot was not so sure that the re-
cruit Sam West would measure up to
the center field JOB or that the veteran
Sam Rice had rcgainei his strength
after last years Illness sufficiently to
patrol adequately the right garden. For
a time. Vests ailing leg kept the rookie
idle but since returning to the lineup
Sammy has performed remarkably well.
while Rice seems sturdy enough 10 cam
paign, so that Harris now is concerned
only with the matter of picking reserve
outfield talent
But the business of selecting short
stop for the club still has the manager
guessing. For a time. Bob Reeves with
the Nationals since the middle Of the
1925 season. was regarded the logical
.choice for the berth Latcly, though,
the pilot has been paying much atten-
ton TO Grant Gillis. brought back from
Birmingham whence he was farmed
after trial here last Spring ellis
has been getting considerable grooming
in recent games. while Reeves has been
employed only in emergencies.
Both Grant and Bob have been hit
F., ting at a better clip than expected. but
Grant has been a bit more steady afield
/ than Bob. Harris probably will not
pick his man for the shortfeld. though,
until the week before the season opens
Two Catchers Ready Now.
TWO Of the three catchers in camp
are ready for the bell right nov. Benny
] Tate, never flashy receiver, but
capable one and a clever hitter is in
great trim. Hugh McNfullen. drafted
from Louisville, appears To be reii-
able catcher and a strong thrower now
that his arm is losing It's soreness.
Hugh is not rated good hitter. but
Harris has an idea the new man is of
the type that steps out every once in
while and slams the ball TO all cor
. ners of the lot for a week or two.
Muddy Ruel. catching dependable since
] he joined the Nationals in 1923, still
has TO shox whether his throwing arm
is in condition for work. Otherwise
Ruei appears quite fit
This Washington club may not be as
great as the Washington clubs that won
pennantS. but right now Ii certainly is
much better looking outfit than las.
years aggregation. Ii has more spirit,
more hustle and It's members are in far
better shape physically than were the
players last Spring at a similar stage
Of the training campaign, The tenta-
tive regular lineup lis a good defensive
combination. its pitchers are working
smoothly and effectively and 1t has good
reserve material. Only in attack has
the club been somewhat sluggish. and
this week has seen an improvement In
offensive.
The few more days here and the 10
day Northward trip ought TO round out
the few rough edges remaining and put
into Washington for the opening OF the
American League flag fight the best
looking ball club the National Capital
has had since the season of 1925