The Washington times., 1929-08-27


''In baseball" explained this
oracle with the wisdom of al.
most n half century i'm the
game behind him. "yOu either
go forward or go back. There
Is no standing stiIl.''
Connie plans changes in his in.
'fietd, youtfield and pitching depart
nlents for next season. He may
Rce be successful in finding the
men he needs to strengthen those
posts. Some players that he now
plans to trade or release before
another season rolls around, may
have to be retained.
But 1t will not be the man.
ayers fault if the changes are not
made. He has two scouts, Ira
Thomas and Mike brennan, search
ing all the minor leagues in the
country for the best prospects they
can send him. Already they have
purchased two shortstops, second
baseman and pitcher.
These four are only the start.
They have orders to dig up a
couple of outfielders, more pitchers
are wanted, so is another young
catcher. When the Athletics go
South next year, they will probably
have more recruits than any cham
pAonship club has taken to camp
in years. The positions that worry
Connie Mack the worst now. are
shortstop and second base.
No one is more aware than
the tall skipper, that the Ath.
letics' keystone combination is
wOefully weak on making dOu.
8 BILE plays.
The weakness OF Joe Beley's
arm Is in the main, responsible
for that. Boley's whip has never
kecovered it's full strength since
Il went back on him before the
season opened. Though he is the
Steadiest shortstop In baseball, and
de noted for his sure fielding in
the most exciting situations, Boley
is giving Connie great concern
because of the condition of his
throwing arm.
That there is considerable doubt
In Comics mind about Boley being
able to go through the balance of
the season is proved by the urgency
Of his orders to the scouts to get
data on the best shortstop available.
in case of necessity, the Shortstop
deemed the best in the minors will
be bought for immediate service
and placed right in the lineup
The shortstop purchased will be one
noted more for his fielding than
his hitting.
There are several shOrtstOps
In the minors who are con-
sidered big league timber.
CrOssetti on the San Francisco
club, Is one.
Gordon sIads, of the Missions, is
another. In the American AS
sociation there are three likely pros
poets. One is Jake Warner, former
Detroit player, now with Toledo;
another is Olivares a Cuban, who
is cutting up a lot of didoes for
Louisville, and the third is WarstIer.
starring for the Indianapolis club.
Brennan and Thomas are fol-
lowing all these players. They
have been watching them for some.
time and are trailing them closely.
Any one of the five mentioned may
be the man the Mackmen may pur-
chase if Boley's arm should happen
to grow weaker.
Bishops trouble is most physi.
cally. Connie Mack is about con.
WINGED that the dapper Balti-
mor'ean will never be rugged enough
to go through full season at
top speed. AS long as Jimmy
Dykes was available, Connie never
worried greatly about Bishops
vacations.
But, since Dykes has been on
the sidelines nursing a severe at
tack of charley-horse, 1t has been
brought home to Connie that he
needs more reinforcements for the
4nfield.
Jimmie CrOnin, the young in.
fielder from Portland. of the
i Pacific Coast League, has shown
considerable promise as
fielder.
He may be easily developed into
q valuable asset, but CrQnin hasn't
developed physically enough yet to
be figured available for regular
duty. Jimmie needs a few more
pounds of heft. Bishop may come
back stronger than ever next sea-
SON
II he is fit there is little likelihood
that any player in the minors could
replace him, but in any case he will
have to face lot of competition for
the bag.
According to Connie. tie com.
petition in pitching and outfield de-
partments for the extra berth will
be Just as fierce, The Athletics ex-
pect to take three or four new out.
fielders TO camp next year.