Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-10

Special Dispatch to The Star.
" AMPA, Fla, February with
the first squad of the Washing
ton ball club scheduled to report
Il for training purposes two weeks
from tomorrow, the officials OF
the club who have been In Florida three
weeks rapidly are completing their
plans for the reception Of the players,
President Clark Grifith's main duties
since he arrived at Tampa have been
conferred around the correspondence
with the unsigned members of his club
but with the -wind-up today OF the
Florida State fair, which has. been
staged In the Enclosure used by the Ma
tionals for their training headquarters,
the real work of preparing the ball field
for practice purposes VIII get under way.
In past years Mike Martin, trainer OF
the club, has had the entire RESPONSE
bility of getting the grounds in condi-
ton. And this always has been very
hard task Practically the entire play
ing field, infield and outfield. has been
covered by some part of the fair ex-
hibits, and the infleld especially has
been torn up badly this year.
Martin will have the assistance this
season of the clubs new groundkeeper,
Emil Haismar, who Is scheduled to re-
port here this afternoon. It win be
Haisman's duty TO rebuild the diamond
proper, while Mike will see to 1t that
the locker, shower and restroom of the
players is in proper condition for the
strenuous use to which it will be put.
But Martin has not idled since he
arrived in Tampa a week ago. He had
not been here long before he went into
q huddle with Grifiith and the net re-
suit of this confab was the ordering OF
irving Hadley to come down with the
first bunch Of players February "a, in
stead Of waiting until the following
week, as originally planned. "Hadley
needs lots Of training to get him in
good shape" said Martin yesterday
land told MFR. Griffith he should come
South as early as possible" 1 know
walter johnson expects big things Out
OF Bumps" this year, and 1t Is my Jot
that he is In good shape Tor his work.
"Hadley was in splendid shape when
he struck here last season, and II that
appendix of his had not started cutting
up, necessitating the operation, be-
lieve Hadley would have had great
season. And then, after he weathereo
the operation so well, he had to rur
into an attack of ringwormS after
ne went North. think the IL victories
Hadley secured against IL losses was
fine work, all things considered.
1--WE don't want any pitchers COM
planning of not being ready If we can
help 1t. And I know that Hadley will
be tickled to death to report here early
enough to be ready for some OF the
early practice games. Leave 1t to me
I'll get Hadley in A-No. / shape this
season" ..
Griffith did not need much coaxing
to agree with Mike.
"HadIey thYives on hard work. He's
big, strapping boy, and we want him
ready to go from the start this season.
am only too glad to have him down
here with the FIRST squad"
Still another player Is to check in
here earlier than the original plans
called for, Ossie Bluege. who Is
slated to do the Shortstopping for the
Nationals this season, viii report March
3, instead of March 10, the date assigned
originally for Ossie to come South, as
1t was Walter Johnson's idea to have
Ossie take that step. :.
Walter felt that Bluege could not
have too much practice in his new
position" said Griff, land for that rea-
son I have notified Ossie to pack UP In
time to reach here March 8. While
short Is Bluege's original position, he
has been away from it for many sea-
sons, and there are quite few changes
in his playing style he must master in
order to attain top-notch proficiency ir
| the position. Bluege can do 1t, am
positive of that. Washington fans
should be just as pleased with the WORT
at short of this quiet, Woodworking
player as they were while he was hold.
| ing down the hot corner"
The signed contract Of Pitcher Bot
| Burke was received this morning bj
the Nationals boss. The number o.
signed players now is 20. while IL hav,
yet to afflx their signatures to thi.
years playing agreement. Whether OF
not President Griffith will inform tht
unsigned members Of the first squat
to stay away from training camp unit
] they come to terms with the club ha,
not yet been definitely established. i
Is more than likely, however, that h
viii take this position.
Lloyd Brown was a visitor at head.
quarters here today. and had Ions
chat with Mike Martin. He has beer