Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-11
BOSS ROBBY FACES
: AT0UCH SITUATION
HitIess Fielders and Weak
Fielding Hitters Offer
Difficult Problem.
BY BRIAN BELL.
Associated Press Sports Writer.

Wilbert Robinson, the Jolly
Robby" OF Brooklyn base ball,
~ finds it harder to display his
beaming smile as the Robins,
established and preSumptive, go about
their training. Any frowns Robby may
be concealing seem justified. His star
pitcher is out of the nest, his captain
and shortstop, about whom he expects
to build his team, is suffering from
sore arm, and he has some fielders who
can't hit and some hitters who can't
field.
Big Dazzy Vance, the speed ball king
of the National League, is losing valu-
able days of preparations for a busy
season while he confines his attention
to the business Office instead of the ball
field. The DaZzler thinks the club Off
Gals have underestimate his value by
about $4,000, and wants his contract
figures revised.
Glenn Wright. great shortstop for
Pittsburgh pulled up with lame arm
in his first day of practice and is under
treatment. Until the extent of the hurt
is finally determined, Manager Robin
sons plans for his infield combination
must remain uncertain.
Coordination Is Lacking.
Brooklyn lacks coordination in some
of the players. If Wally Gilbert could
hit like either Babe Herman or Harvey
Hendrick he would be third base SEN
sation, and If either of the clubs star
hitters could come up with the balls
Gilbert gets Robby would worry much
less. "Too early" says the manager
when asked If he had made tentative
arrangement of his infleld and outf1eld
combinations. The task may be trifle
difficult much later
Two positions seem assigned. Del
BiSsonette, who can hit and field, will
play first base and Herman will take
care of right field. Herman is no ball
hawk, but he is the clubs best hitter.
Jake Flowers was given a tentative
advantage at second base in the pre-
season calculations, but Billy Rhiel,
who has had two trials with the club,
has complicated the situation by his
good playing in practice. Rhiel APP
pears certain to remain with the club
as he is versatile performer.
Wright, in shape, is conceded the
shortstop position without opposition,
but If his arm should be slow in coming
around. Dave Bancroft will have to step
in. Gilbert is essential at third base
from defensive standpoint, but If he
fails to hit, Hendrick may have to be
moved in from the outfield for the sake
OF the offense.
Rube Bressler will be an outfielder,
at least part of the time. Max Rosen-
field, one of the University of Alabama
crop Of foot ball and base ball players,
John Frederick, a Memphis graduate,
the much travelled Henry Cullop and
Hal Lee, former infielder, furnish an
outfield openings. Max Carey is listed
as an outfielder, but probably he will
coach and act as first lieutenant to
Manager Robinson much of his time.
Seven of last wears pitching staff, ex-
Guiding Vance, are back. Thus far there |
has been no indication at the training |
camp that any of the veterans will be |
displaced The holdovers are Doug Nc
Weeny, Watson Clark, Big Jim Elliott
RUDE Ehrhardt. Ray Moss and Louis
Koupal.
Win BalIou Trying Again.
One of the young pitchers is not so
young. Win Ballou, drafted from Mil
waukee. has had much major league
experience. Jim Richardson from New
Haven. elise Dudley, late of Atlanta,
and Bill Moore, Macon product are
working hard to win a place. One, or
two at the most, can succeed.
The Robins have half dozen other
youngsters around, but probably they
will 60 to Macon, the Sally League
farm. One of them. Buck Newsome,
pitcher with deceptive underhand
delivery. may be back later.
With Max Carey acting as drill mas
ter the Brooklyn players go through
one Of the most elaborate programs of
exercise in base ball.
With military precision the squad
falls in. counts off and then executes a
series of intricate maneuvers. Bats are
used for guns. Manager Robinson yells
advice and comments from the club
house porch. Perhaps these are his
happiest moments of the day. He is
not SO carefree when the ball playing
begins.