Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-31
CLUBS RESERVES
WEAK WITH FLA|L
Regulars, Too, Fail to Show
Punch, but Johnson Is Not
Worrying.
BY DENMAN THOMPSON,
c-a-4. raf&o. rrt.. C..-

a
for the fact the hitting
- slump of the Nationals this
Spring has been general,
affecting veterans and newcomers
alike, there would be cause for
peSSimiSm regarding the help to
be expected from the second
Etringers in an attacking way dur
ing the pennant hunt which opens
just two weeks from today. There
has been no consistent batting
from any of the reserves and they
are saved from looking deplorably
weak with the stick only because
the regulars have failed to do any
better.
Of the entire lot Joe Kuhel has made
the sorriest showing. Excluding the
game the second stringers won at Mo-
bile a week ago Sunday and which this
correspondent did not see because the
Regulars were trimming Louisville here
that afternoon, Kuhel has just one hit
to show for 20 times at bat in eight
games. This gives him the pitiful av-
"a oSO Va WV anu e4Adt Ndo AOS-
dstered against a Schoolboy starter in
the Spring Hill College game.
In every other respect, however.
Kuhel has looked fine, despite a few
pounds of excess weight due to loafing
through the Winter at the doctors or
ders to rest an injured leg. He is
grace itself in shifting his feet to take
throws at the initial corner, has
strong arm and is sure death on foul
flies. He looms as valuable first base
insurance in the event Judge is hurt
or occasionally has to rest his ancient
limbs.
THE next weakest sister on the face
y Of the records thus far is Harry
Rice, who has a lifetime batting
average Of over 800, but who in IA
times up in seven games has gotten a
ball into safe territory just twice for
an average that any healthy pitcher
would Spurn-.143. The ex-Brown,
Tiger and Yankee is in good condition,
however, lighter than he has been for
some time, and one of the fastest afoot
on the squad.
AS for Baxter Jordan, who collected
q triple, double and two singles in four
trips to the pan in four games, and the
have yet to see him make a hit in 10
trips to the pan In four games and the
same goes for Wally Dashiell, but for
the reason he hasn't played in any of
the other games except that five-inning
practice affair between Al Schachts
Killers and Walter JohnSon's BozoS.
Jordan is looked upon as a good hit
ter, but a rather Indifferent fielding
third baseman, which is the only spot
where he could do the Nationals any
good, and the impression is he viii be
turned back to the Newark Club, from
which he was drafted.
Dashiell also batted well with Chatta
nooga last season until injured, but
with both Myer and Hayes available
for second base, the only position Dash
1ell can play because Of a weak throw
ing arm, his activities with the Griff-
men are likely to be confined to rum
ming the bases for less speedy mates.
TLIFF BOLTON, of whom more was
- expected in swatting way than
any of the others. due to the rep
IItation which preceded him, is having
a hard time getting started.
Prior to the last encounter with the
Orioles at Gulfport Monday, when the
achieved bingles on both of his oppor-
tunities, the youngster had made only
three safeties for IL times up in nine
battles, but there Is no question he can
hit, hit hard and hit to any field, which
IS his greatest asset. Red Hargrave,
with whom he is contesting for the
job of first assistant backstopper to
Roy Spencer, also had a big day in the
last Baltimore game, getting three out
of three, but prior thereto had col
1ected only one bingle in 10 visits to the
platter during three tits.
THE best showing among the reg
u ulars is that of Dave Harris, the
amply proportioned fly chaser
who has an average Of 1854, with hits
IN IL times up, scattered over half
q dozen contests and all made in the
last tits, but Jack Hayes has been
the most consistent. for his mark of
$50 represents hits in 20 times at
bat In games, and in only of them
was he prevented from bingling. With
Hayes, however, it still is a question
whether he is a regular or reserve,
no decision between him and Buddy
Myer for the keystone berth having as
yet been made.
Thus far Buddy, who has not ap-
peared in the last three contests, has
an edge in the hitting department on
Jack. with mark Of $780, represent
ing Z hits for l8 times at hat in z COM
bats. which ranks him next to Joe
Cronin, who Is leading the pack with
an even 400. with 10 safeties for his
rs times at bat IN games.
MANAGER JOHNSON is not in
WI clined to lay much stress on
the stickwork shown by his va
rious charges thus far. however. be-
cause Of the poor conditions which
have prevailed both here and in Gulf
port. but what the players accomplish,
BEGINNING next FRIDAY, when a string
Of contests will be played in good parks
e. Birmingham ard Chattanooga, ~
r0'rte oon,e, viii weigh heavily In his
e~timation.
TOMORROW afternoon the Nation
i as are 70 tangle with the Horse
Of David nine in the last skirrnish
staged for Biloxi this Spripg with Sem
Jones and Ad Liska probably doing
the pitching. This game; originally
scheduled for today. was postponed out
Of respect for the memory of President
E. s. Barnard. whose funeral was to
be held in Cleveland today.