The Washington times., 1931-03-03
NEEDS SWING
/. BEHIND HIS
THROWS
By JOE HOLMAN


BILOXI, Miss, March 3.-By
taking a longer stride in the box
Bobby Burke, Walter Johnson's
youthful leftrhanded pitcher, may
develop into an overnight speed
ball sensation. Such is the be-
lief of President Clark Griffith,
Washington club magnate.
During the past several days
the Old Fox has impressed upon
Bob the Importance Of lengthen'
ing his step some six inches. He
says:
"Once Burke gets the proper
swing behind his pitches, he's
going to show you one Of the
prettieSt fast ones in baseball.
/ studied him during the latter
part of last season. All he
needs is the proper momentum
for his delivery; he's got all the
natural stuff in the world"
'YOu noticed Lloyd Brown
came through fast last year.
Well, BObby'S still young. And
don't be surprised if he bios
some out just as suddenly.
We've carried Burke on this
ball ball club for several years
ON his promise alone. He's
still q kid and if 1 know any
thing about pitchers he's ready
to click"
Bob, himself, is convinced that
an abbreviated stride has ham
pered his effectiveness hereto,
fore. Consequently he is correct
ing this shortcoming in the daily
practice. And judging by the
way he is pouring his hard one
into Catcher Roy Spencer's mitt,
he is getting results.
Relief HurIers Short
The fast fading crop Of relief
pitchers so prominent several
years ago is causing Manager
Walter no great concern. There
are two reasons. In the the first
place he thinks he has the finest
balanced pitching staff in base
ball. And again, he has un-
limited faith in Lloyd Brown, his
crack southpaw. johnson states:
Brownie can pitch his
regular turn and still save us
lots of ball games. I never in
tend using Fred Marberry as
Q part time pitcher again un-
less necessary. He's proved to
me he can shoot nine inning
ball with anybody in the bust
ness. And we need him to
start and win us flock of ball
games"
Unlike his teammates, Sam
Jones and Alvin CroWder, Mar.
berry is greatly impressed by the
raised stitches on the new base
ball. He says:
There's no doubt but what a
fellow with long fingers can get
D better grip on the ball. In
fact, / think it will help me get
my fast one back. lost it last
year, you know"
Among other things, Pitchers
irving Hadley, Fred Marberry and
Carl Fischer are going through a
Weighing-in process after each
regular workout. A brand-new set
Of scales has been installed in the
locker room at Biloxi stadium.
Despite yesterdays driving rain
which wiped out the regular morn
ing session, these hefty lads were
sent through a brief workout
calculated to reduce their pound.
age.
Rice May Get in Drills
Outfielder Sammy Rice was gaz.
ing longingly at his favorite bat
this morning as his pals prepared
to sail into their routine, although
he insisted he would not start
work until next week upon his ar,
rival yesterday. It would not sur
prise if he did not get in some
batting practice licks within the
next few days. He admits:
''The games got me, guess.
I do want to get in some golf
before I do anything. But the
old ball field looks mighty
good"
If the playing field isn't too
soggy, the Washington club bat
terymen will launch batting prac'
tice today. Coach AL Schacht
whose verbal slab comeback has
so thoroughly impressed Manager
Walter Johnson, will do the
singing.