Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-08
PITCHERS IN FORM
FOR EARLY GAMES
All Are Speeding Throws and
Some at Tampa Try
Their Curves.
BY DENNIAN THOMPSON,
Sports Editor, The Star.

SrAMPA, Fla, March s.-Ten days
of work and not a sore arm in
the squad Is the situation proud
i ly pointed out by Trainer Mike
Martin in regard to the young
pitchers striving for places with the
Washington ball club this season.
OF minor ailments there is the usual
quota, of course, q bruised heel here
and a blistered toe there, but Of the
most dreaded ailfinent to which fingers
are subject in Spring training camp
there is most noticeable absence, and
the Official conditioner of the athletes
Is hopeful that for once he will be able
to bring his charges through without q
single case of lame wingitiS," which
has rnarred the prospects OF so many
promising rockies.
This satisfactory state of affairs is
due largely, of course, to the hawk
like surveillance Martin has maintained
over their activities, but there is a GER
tain element Of luck involved, too, for
the youngsters this year have been re-
Quired to follow program differing
but little, II any, from that In force
with the Nationals for many years.
Starting last Monday, following O
week OF the simplest kind of exercises,
the kids were advised that they might
start to put little something on the
ball. and each day since then they have
opened up q notch or two until now
they are bearing down freely in the
matter of speed as well as tinkering
with hooks.
Get Good Batting Practice.
As a result the batting practice af-
3orded for the catchers, infielderS and
Aot1x Sa fVNrP
ncial and by the time the Boston Braves
are met at st. Petersburg next Tues
day in the first Of 20 preseason exhibit
tons listed with National League clubs
the Griffmen should be able to give a
good account OF themselves on attack.
And so gradual has been the increase
In the amount Of toll allotted them that
the hurlers all should be ready by that
time for abbreviated sessions of box
work.
AS usually is the case with most ball
clubs, the Nationals have a few sea-
soned performers who promise to attain
first class playing condition before their
younger and less experienced mates
butes to start with they also have a
knowledge of their individual require
ments that enables them properly to
rate their pace In the extent and
duration of daily exercise periods with
the result that they can get ready
in about half the time required by their
fellow toilers.
Most notable of these are Outfielder
Sam Rice, Infielder Oss Bluege and
Pitcher Garland 8raxton. The latter,
rated as veteran campaigner despite
the fact he Is but 26 years old. was
among the last OF the athletes now on
"a IN
marked only his third time out. he
displayed an ease and smoothness Of
delivery that was the envy OF the re-
cruits.
Two others coming under the head
ing of regulars, although they are by no
means old IN years for all their expert
ence, who probably viii be among the
very last to get In real pitching condi-
ion, are Fred Marberry and Irving Had
ley, due to the surplus flesh problem
they always have to contend with.
this Spring. probably less than 10
pounds above his best playing figure,
but they are 90 prone to take on flesh
and their weight has such direct
bearing on their strength that o special
training procedure is essential for them.
Must Tear Down Weight.
n is necessary, in the first place,
that their svoirdupois gradually should
be reduced q point some six or eight
pounds below the ultimate figure sought.
This in itself. Is no easy task and In
the case Of Hadley, 1t least, has In
volved ban on any nourishment what
ever at the luncheon period. When
slick in appearance, but lacking in
power, 50 they then are permitted gard
ualiy to pick up the pounds that will
restore their natural strength. This
naturally takes time.
With the other beavers at hand no
weight problems exist. Their sole con-
Germ being to reach the state Of condi-
ton where they can carry on effective
~ over period Of nine innings or more.
As has been mentioned before In these
dispatches, Young Ad Liska is making
satisfactory strides in this direction
and the same thing Is true Of Archie
Kenna, makes his home on the Pacific
Coast.
High hopes are entertained regarding
this right handler, who was obtained by
draft from st. Paul of the American
Association, and in party they are based
on the luck the Nationals heretofore
have had with ex-Yankee pitchers. It
was the New York club which sent
Campbell TO st. Paul and 1t Is pointed
out that in the cases of George Mog-
ridge, Sam Jones and Braxton the
Washington club has Jared quite well
with moundsmen who formerly worked
under the direction of Miller Higgins.
Big Jim Weaver, who Is in the throes
and enormous weight, and Paul Hopkins
and toiling faithfully to obtain recog-
milton, while in the case Of Guy Cam
trell. inexpensive acquisition from
Baltimore, 1t is established he has the
size and potential STIFF making for sue
cess, the question merely being whether
he possesses the acunen TO employ them
to advantage.
The status of Bob Burke and Lloyd
Brown Is yet to be determined. Each
has turned some highly creditable bits
of box work for the Nationals and at
times appeared on the verge of attain
ing the estate Of regular, consum-
nation that may develop this year
Burke, although no less string bean
than ever, appears stronger this year
and possessed Of Q more effective arm
sweep. and Brown is due to make seri-
Gus bid for a berth as starter OF
games The fact that, aside from Brax-
ton, they are the only lefthanders on
the squad, certainly will not initiate
against their chances for sticking with
the club.
Few Casuals.
"Tonsilitis" Harris and Ed Kenna, the
clinical subjects, are reported as max
ing satisfactory progress, although the
latter has spent couple of sleeples'
nights, because Of his dislocated thumb
but nothing further has been heard re-
garding pitcher Paul Mccullough, and
Catcher Cliff Bolton still is unaccountec
for.
Buddy Myer yesterday found it ex.
pedient to cut down a bit on his wort
in order to favor his side, which ht
pulled slightly while batting, but wa!