Evening star., 1931-03-12
FEW EXTRA GRIFF
BERTHS ARE OPEN
New CatcherS and InfieIderS
Have Chances to Land
Sub Positions.
BIZ DENMAN THOMPSON,
E~n~fr EAgAA~ sTTE,a G4,r

way a l1IIlC AIlUES llldll OIIS IlO1lOli
hence, practically was all set from
the time last Winter that Harry
Rice was obtained from the Yam
KEGS.
AS consequence Spring train
Ing this season for the Nationals
Is just that, rather than a con-
test between various players for
positions as in other years, but
there are few jobs in doubt and
the fact that all are of the utility
brand will not lessen the keen
ness Of the battling.
One. of course, is that for third
string backstop in support of Roy Spen-
Ger and Pink Hargrave, between Cliff
Bolton and Ed Kenna. The latter, who
admits to 20 years, has been up with
the Nationals before and is a seasoned
campaigner, having originally been
bought from Minneapolis of the Amer
icsn Association in 1928 for $4,000
and who this time comes on purchase
from Washingtons Southern Associa-
ton farm at Chattanooga where he did
the bulk OF the backstopping last year
while compiling 291 batting average.
WITH Bolton it is not merely ques-
w tion whether he can develop the
necessary catching skill to stick.
The youth-he is but % now-attracted
attention in 1928, his first season in
pro ball, when as catcher with the
High Point team he led the Piedmont
League batsmen with a mark of .4OS
which resulted in his purchase by the
Nationals for $3.50.
FarTned to New Haven the following
season and employed in the Garden
because the profs possessed an expert
enced receiver the lad was betting the
pill at 800 pace until he broke his
leg sliding into base and after get
ting back on the job the effect of the
injury and long lay-off was reflected
in slump to around $50.
Then with CHATTANOOGA last sum
mer the .377 average he compiled while
serving only part time and principally
in the outfeld, compared favorably with
the best figures in the Southern Asso-
ciatioI1 and clinched recognition of him
as a natural hitter, so, with the i'm
provement he is displaying here In the
mechanics Of catching It would seem he
has earned q thorough big league trial
put there /, are other considerations
involved.
ONE is that for the lads best inter-
~ est he should bs placed with some
strong club where he will be as
sured of the steady, daily toll he can't
get at Washington, where he would be
restricted largely to bull pen duty and
pinch hitting. But under the rules of
the game he cannot again be farmed
out and II he Is sold all strings would
be cut on this very promising prospect.
All in all, therefore, Bolton represents
quite problem.
With Harry Rice flashing the form he
displayed as Brownie and Tiger team
ing up with Dave Harris as reserves for
the regular trio of Heinie Manush, Sam
West and Sam Rice, 1t will take more
than any Of the recruits at hand are
likely to show TO horn into the outfield,
while with the pitchers, it simply is a
question of how many are to be carried,
whether Lynn Griffith, Carl Fischer or
Walter Tauscher is retained. If il is
decided to have a l0-man staff it Is
possible all three will be kept to supple
rnent the seven already assured Of jobs.
nancy Lsarberry Liska, Jones, Hadley,
Crowder, Burke - Brown.
IN this event, under the 25-player limit
i which goes into effect in the majors
on June Is there would be room for
would be the regular quartet of Bluege,
Cronin. Myer and Judge, with Hayes
as chief OF the utility brigade; Kuhel
as first base replacement and Dashiel
TO play second in case Hayes services
were needed at short or third.
1t is likely, however, that only eight
or, at the most nine pitchers will be
carried and II this proves to be- the case
it now seems more than probable that
Baxter Jordan will make his Summer
headquarters in the Capital.
This international League draftee,
who hit .349 for Newark last season, Is
making fine impression on camp
observers In the daily drills. Stationed
principally at short for practice, this
cleanly- y-built 24-year-old has displayed
plenty Of speed in covering ground, a
nice pair Of hands and a good whip,
while in batting he takes a vicious cut
at the ball and connects in consistent
fashion.
JORDAN came to the Nationals touted
as a good hitter. but rather poor
ball player in any position except
first base, where he likes best to per-
form. 1t being cited by observers that
he was found wanting In a trial with
the Giants. This hardly should be held
against the youngster, however, as Nc
Graw probably has let go Of more
potentially great ball players than any
manager in the business and in some
instances has regained them by paying
fancy prices.
Dashlell is well thought Of by Man
ager johnson, for with Chattanooga
last year he had developed into $50
hitter before q spilSing accident took
heavy toll and he was regarded as one
OF the best base runners IN the South
ern Association. which he topped in
sack pilfernig the year before. He is
slated to stick around, but II there is
room for still another infelder Jordan
IL due TO get a lot Of consideration with
the likelihood that he will be drilled at
third base, where he already has had
considerable experience.
TT was considered probable Jordan
4 would get shot at third sacking
this afternoon in the FIRST exhibition
of the season, which brings the Balti-
more club here from its training base at
Gulfport. after Oss Bluege has per-
formed for few rounds, with other re-
cruits also getting chances In various
positions after the regulars have been
in the game long enough to bat. a couple
OF times.
with good weather the contest. which
gets under way at a.3Q O'Clock, WASH
inEton time, was expected to All all
available seats at Biloxi Stadium to
the number Of about l.500.
Grinth, Fischer and Tauscher were
expected to split UP the pitching, al
though Ad Liska might get a three
inning workout IN place OF one Of these