Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-19
CLUB APT TO CALL
HOLDOUTS HANDS
Washington President Not
Disposed to Dicker With
HurIers, CatcherS.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special Dispatch to The Star.
HnOXI, Miss, February 19.-
* One week from today the
manager, 10 pitchers,
catcherS and 3 coaches of
the Washington base ball club
are scheduled to report here for
the start of the 1880 training
campaign. Walter Johnson, OF
course, is to to head this contin-
gent of the club he again is to
pilot, and ne is to be assisted by
his coaches, Nick Altrock, Al
Schacht and Ed Charity. Last,
but not least, Mike Martin, the
clubs trainer, will be present to
lend a most helpful hand.
Whether all the players listed to re-
port here next week will be in attend
ance when the first ball tossing starts
is a matter which at this time is not
definitely known, however Two of the
Nationals veteran pitchers-Fred Mar
berry and Sam Jones-Have yet to aff1x
their signatures to 1880 working agree
ments with their club, nor have Gar
land Braxton or Adolph Liska signed
contracts, although Liska has told
President Clark Griffith he will report
here as ordered.
to terms are Lloyd Brown, now here
for early workouts; Bob Burke, Irving
Hadley, Carlos Moore, Herbert Pyle and
Myles Thomas. OF the catchers, but
one of the regulars-Muddy Ruel-has
signed. The rookies-Nelson Jester and
Gordon Phelps-are in line, but Bonnie
Tate and Roy Spencer differ with their
boss as to what they are worth for the
coming season.
No Signature, No Training.
Following his usual custom of steer
ing clear of any talk concerning players
salaries, Grifnth is loath to discuss
the situation created by this list Of
non-signers. Technically they will not
be holdouts until the season begins, al
though Grit will consider all PLAYERS
failing to sign by training camp report
ing time in that class. "They have got
TO sign their contracts or they cannot
train here at my expense. That's fnal's -
said the Nationals president today.
The players know this and they know
that mean 1t. have offered every
non signer the top figure I thing he Is
worth to the club this year. 1t Is now
up to them"
Braxton may be given more time
than the others to consider terms
offered. Braxton had his tonsils re-
moved this Winter and still is a bit
weak from the operation. Griffith has
recently written the lanky lefthander
suggesting that he come here with the
flrst squad and take it easy for a week,
but Garland will not be compelled TO
report before March 6.
Marberry always Is tough customer
for the Nationals pilot to oicker with
and it looks as though Fred will take
old Tom zachary's place as the prize
'hoss trader" on the team. Zachary,
1t will be recalled, always put of sign
ing until he arrived at Tampa He then
world hold several sessions with his
oUoS and smoke a box or so nf Grit
flths best cigars before putting his
John Hancock on the dotted lines.
Serious trouble, though, Is not expected
as lar as Marberry is concerned, nor in
the cases of Braxton and Jones.
At least two of the catchers appear
firm in their convictions as to their
worth, though. Tate and Spencer have
returned their contracts unSigned-and
Spencer intimates the team will agree
to his terms or else do without his
services this year. Griffith evidently is
equally determined to exact his terms
or let Spencer make good the threat.
Whether Tate has enough confidence
In his stand to make a serious issue of
the matter is not so certain. The fact
remains that he is still outside the fold
with only few days left before he is
due to leave his home in West Frank
fort. Ill. for Biloxi
The balance of the team has a full
week more Of grace before failure to
sign contract becomes a matter of
serious consideration and Grifith ap-
parently is giving scant attention to
these men.