The Washington times., 1930-07-28
WEST TO STAY
IN CENTER
FIELD
BY JOE HOLMAN

d. c., July 28.-Art Shires is going
TO get a real chance to make good
as an outfielder. Manager Walter
johnson admitted as much as the
Griffmen steamed homeward this
morning.
When George Loepp was re
], leased to the Newark club. as part
payment for Carl Fischer, re-
Gently. Shires voluntarily stepped
in and started practicing in the
outer precincts.
Manager johnson said:
'sI'm convinced that Art
means business. When we turn
nut for our workout tomorrow
morning I'm going to supply
him with sun glasses ana see
that he gets plenty Of work IN
the sun field"
Realizing that he is not sched-
uled TO perform often at first base,
Shires is convinced that he Will
Lreak into plenty Of games II he
makes good as gardener.
Having settled upon West as
his regular center fielder for the
time being, johnson nevertheless
intimates that the slightest shp-up
in his plans may react nene1i-
cially toward Shires.
Il want Art to work out
both in left and CENTER" ne
declared today.
Should he prove too slow in
center field and a change oe
necessary, ManuSh could always
be shifted to the mid station.
Shires is good hitter and
willing worker, and any pan
player who hustles and fights as
he does deserves any breaks he
gets. In the meantime Sam
West, prince of American League
outfielders, has. been brought TO
q showdown.
In other words, it's up to
West to deliver in center
field against all brands Of
pitching hereafter. In the
past Sam has been . COM
plete loss against sOuthpawS,
necessitating the installation
! of an alternate system this
past spring.
First George Loepp played CEN
ter field when left-handers were
shooting. Then Sammy Rice
shifted to center and Dave Har-
ris moved into right.
Neither Loepp nor Harris de-
livered up to the desired stand
ard. So now West must Develop
into a full-time gardener or an
other arrangement will be ef-
fected.
On paper, West, who has batted
well above 300 to date, met with
unqualified succe, during his
clubs recent western swing, cold
statistics show that he hit around
1856.
Actually his batting did little
good and he was also below his
defensive par. Sa' S let-doWn
was most conspicuous in the
pinches and in tight games when
hits mean something.
Sans got it in him to bat,
field and run the bases" Man
ager johnson explained today.
"And now it's up to him to
make good.
"We know he can field al
ready, but . ball player must
deliver in all departments.
Those fellows who have their
spots picked don't often get
anywhere. Vests tim dity
against left handlers dates back
to 1927. Then with Birming-
ham, of the Southern AssOcia-
tion, Sam one day was severely
beaned by Ed SettlemOre,
speedbaII merchant with Mobile.
"That was four years ago,
however, and it is generally
thought that West has had
time to throw off this fear.
In other words it is now or
never for the youngster who
has thrilled thousands with
his fielding exploits.
Yester Sam was sent
against Dutch Henry. Chicago
White Sox sidewinder, and imme-
diately gathered himself two
hits, a bunt and line single,
while driving across as many
runs. Later he collected mis-
third single off Ed Walsh, an or
thodox thrower.
Hitting as he did after first
going into conference with Pres
ident Clark Griffith on this sub
ject, Vests performance was en-.
couraging but his real test prob
ably will be offered this week
when the Athletics shoot their
forkhand speed ball specialists,
Lefty Grove and Rube Walberg,
against the aspiring Griffmen.
Though tomorrow is an
off day, the Washington club,
In a body, is to turn out for
a morning practice. In view
Of his clubs recent slump,
Manager johnson feels that
extra licks win be needed be-
fore the impending twO-game
session with Connie Mack's
Athletics.
The AS are to be met at Amer
lean League Park Wednesday and
Thursday. Pitcher Bump Hadley
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