Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-27

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bit of punch if Goose Cos
lin continues to spurn President
Clark Grif1ith's salary offer OF
$4,000 and a bonus, if earned, but
the outfield will not be totally
wrecked because the Salem real
estate broker fails to put in an
appearance. Manager Walter
Johnson has at hand now two
pretty good looking gardeners in
George Loepp and Red Barnes
and with either of them toiling
with Sam Rice and Sam West
who hanked the Goose in the pas
lures last year, the Nationals will
not lack defense in the far reaches
of the ball orchard.
Nor are the Nationals likely to- be
much weaker at bat so far as their out-
fielderS are concerned should Goslin
persist in holding out. If what Loepp
and Barnes have displayed at bat in
exhibition games and swinging drills
thus far means anything Johnson will
have a sturdy hitter in the lineup
whether the southside slapping redhead
from Alabama or the blond Michigander
who hits from the right side works.
These boys have been singing the ball
viciously to date. Each has plenty OF
action at the plate and deal of power
In the shoulders.
AS to fielding, the Nationals may find
their new combination better than the
West oSlin-Rice outfit of last season.
Loepp apparently knows his onions In
the garden. He is fiyhawk of quality,
has much speed and can whip the ball
back to the infield or plate from deep
outheld. He covers ground amazingly
fast with his long and steady stride and
has the canny knack of placing himself
for batters that he may make his
catches easier. Daily his performances
become more impressive and Manager
johnson sees great possibilities in
George
1t will be recalled that Barnes, who
ut the outset of last season was slated
to supplant Rice in right field, was
rather weak at coming in from the deep
field for short lofts. He was poor in
this phase of fielding to such an extent
that johnson lifted him from the line
ND shortly after the season started. Also
It viii be recalled by Washington fans
that Red, while fair fielder generally
In right field, was not so good in center
and terrible IN left. It's different with
Barnes now.
johnson has groomed Barnes care
fully in the business of rushing in for
short lofts. Daily Red get a half hour
or more individual instruction in this
phase of fielding and it has Melted good
results. Several times in exhibition
games Barnes has dashed in from deep
field to make startling grabs of hard
drives and johnson thinks the young
Alabaman has overcome the fault that
Handicapped him so last year. Red also
now finds himself as much at home in
left or center field as In right. In fact,
he is as good In left field now as he was
In right two seasons ago and promises
TO become even better as the training
season progresses.
1t is not certain yet whether Barnes
or Loepp will start the season in left
field. Right now it seems Barnes is the
longer hitter. but Loepp is the surer
fielder Whichever draws the assign
ment, though, the pasture will be well
cared for. And that is one worry of
Johnson'S mind.
Last year Washington got little good
fielding in the left sector. Goslin
slumped afleld as he did at bat, prob
ably worried by his weakness with the
fail. Really, the Washington Club has
had no good defense in left field since
the season Of 1927, for year before last
GoSlin had an ailing arm and could do
no throwing.
Both Rice and West are coming alone
kgell and should be quite 1T for their
respective tasks in right and center
Fields. Rice Is one Of the wonders OF
the game. Now 38 years old, the vet
eran still can travel about the field
with plenty of speed, his arm remains
strong and at bat he shows much punch
West seems to be improving at bat and
he rates as one of the best fly hawks
in the business. His throwing arm that
11tfrA 40 mn vi -
the week is coming around again. West
says most of the soreness has gone. and
he thinks the wing will be as well as
ever for the two-game series with Mem
phis which begins Saturday.
Lookout Mountain, beside the city
was covered with snow yesterday anc
the Nationals called of their scheduled
exhibition engagement with the Chat
tanooga club. They did not idle, how
ever, for in the afternoon scrub till
was staged, with some of the Washing.
ton club playing with Chattanooga play
ers and several Lookouts working witt
Nationals. Fred Marberry and Irving
Hadley had turns on the hill, Marberry
pitching three rounds and Hadley two
The chilled Washington Chattanooga
cast that supported these pitchers man
aged to score more runs than the othel
side.
johnson was to send his charges
against a reserve team drawn from the
SQUAD of the New York Giants this aft
ernoon. Originally, the game was listed
for the Lookouts, but as the Giant Sec
ond-stringers are here again tomorrow
President Joe Engel of the local club
gave over today's date to the Wash
ington outfit.
Garland Braxton is ready to begir
training again. The left-hander report
ed to the squad for the second time
late yesterday after undergoing a den
at the Sign OF the
Moon EoA Unn ~
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