Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-07

AS many as 1Our players may
be cut loose by Washington. Any
draftees sent out very likely
would go back to the clubs from
which they were procured last
Fall, for those minor clubs, under
the base ball code. would have
first call on such ployers. There
are others than draftees now with
the Nationals, however, who seem
in need of further schooling be-
fore they may be considered we'll
equipped for service in the big
show, particularly some pitchers.
The Crackers may get one or two
young hurlers from the club here
under option.
There is little likelihood, though, that
any of the present crop of Atlanta
players will be transferred to the
Washington club. according to Griffith.
The local preXy says the Crackers right
How have nothing the Nationals could
use. In fact, Griffith seems bent on
strengthening the minor league aggre-
CATION before he begins to look upon it
as farm for Washington. Atlanta
Grst," is the way the local base ball
executive puts it. Il am determined to
GAe the fans there a square deal in
bic to give them an up-andgoing ball
club. It's a good base ball town, and
deserves fine representative in the
Southern Association
Good Developing Plant.
But Griffith does not intend to over
look the possibilities for helping the
Nationals that lie in the possession of
the Atlanta club. He feels that it will
become a fine school for players the
Nationals may corral but who may not
be ripe enough for immediate employ
nlent in the big time. Ownership of
the Atlanta club will assure the train
ing of prospective Nationals according
to plans formulated by the Washington
club. In this way Griffith hopes to
bring to the Nationals in the future re-
cruits who really have been taught the
finer points of ba-e ball instead of half
baked talent, such as many minor clubs
have been foisting upon the big outfits
in recent years.
This is not to be done, though, at
the expense of the Atlanta club, Crit
fifth insists. He first intends to build a
strong minor club, then graduate to his
major club players reckoned good
enough for trial in the higher class. In
promoting players Grifhth intends to
avoid stripping the minor club of the
greater part Of its power. He plans to
have well qualified requirements for all
moved from the Crackers to the Ma
tionalS In every way the WASHINGTON
owned Atlanta club is to be conducted
as a f1rst-rate minor league organiza-
ton.
Joe Engel, scout of the Washington
club, Is to be president of the Atlanta
club, for the remainder of this year at
least, Gr1f1th announces. But Joe Is
not to relinquish his scouting duties.
He viii comb the bushes for talent for
the Crackers as well as the Nationals.
BOO. The Washington prexy declares
ne executive job doesn't keep one so
BUSY that one cannot delve into the
tntnors for material. And Griffith
ought to Knowles been a club presi-
dent some years.
No Help in Atlanta.
Most of the talent now with the
Crackers is of ancient vintage. Yelle,
who used to be with the Tigers some
time ago, is the only catcher belonging
Solely to the club. Lopez is a younee
eter and good catcher, but he belongs
70 Brooklyn. In the pitching corps are
such l1nknowns as Keifer, Bonely, Will
kins and Blethen, all youngsters. Then
there are Brennan, an oldster, who was
with Walter Johnson's Newark club
Sast year, and Oldham, with the Detroit
Club years back.
Blrrus, formerly of the Braves, is
playing first base; Sheehan, veteran,
Is at second; Jones, once with the
Dodgers, plays short, and Marriott and
Haley, both old timers, are used at
third. Nick Cullop, who has worn a
path between the minors and the big
show, so often has he come I'D and
gone back, is one of the outfielders.
Nothing in Atlanta now, it seems, for
the Washington club to go after.
This Gates, latest to be added to the
Washington pitching staff, came here
from Baltimore last week to be looked
over by Johnson, and he has been taken
on probably for only a short stay with
the club. He is a protege of Jack Og-
Gen, one of the Browns pitchers.
Like Ogden, Gates is a Swarthmore
product and Jack persuaded the Balti-
more management to accept the young
ster. Baltimore first farmed him to the
Eastern Shore League. When George
Weiss, former New Haven magnate be-
came business manager of the Orioles
:hls year Gates was sent to New
Haven, but rebelled and was suspended.
1t was with Weiss that the Washington
club arranged for the purchase of Gates