Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-29

HElNlE WEBB, VINO enjoys Tie
- profound respect Of Umpire
Ping Purdy as ball player
and sportsman, is disagreed
with by the lean arbiter. Heinie re-
Gently went on record as saying that
the Understanding base ball club on
the Washington sandlots was last years
Pullmans, champions of the city series.
Ping admits it was q great ball club,
that managed by Harry Smithson, but
not the one with the most potent bat
wielders.
"Give me Brooke Lees Silver Spring
team" chirps Ping. THAT was the
club that packed a wallop."
Purdy will find plenty Of supporters,
no doubt, who bark back to the suour-
banites who reigned on the sandlot
throne from 1920 to 1925.
On that Silver Spring team was Lem
Owen, the peanut-eating pitcher. Lem
was in his prime then. "Giyvy" Clio
vanetti, truly great sandlot catcher,
was behind the bat. Monk Fraser, who
manages John Blick's Arcadia bowling
aljeys' was on first base. Monk later
went lp with the New York Giants and
was with McGray when washington and
the Giants battled in the 1924 world
series.
ROXY Roach was on second base.
Purdy played shortStop. OF Brownie
Iemerick was the hot corner guardian.
And Ray Grubb, Johnny Bleier and
Buck Sterzer composed the outfield.
THAT was in the days when a man
did real days work If he got Two
hits" explains imp Purdy. Now If
you get four you're hardly noticed.
That Silver Spring team brings TO
mind that by a single victory over IL
Buck Grier's Petworth Wonders put
themselves on the sandlot map.
One Sunday, with Brinkman, an
high pitcher for Central, on the mound
the Wonders noSed out the over-cor.
fdent Silver Spring aggregation by
to 2. Purdy points to the sudden rise
in fame of the Wonders after that
game Just as proudly as he does to the
many victories won by the Springers.
THAT showed how good We were rated,
Ping observed.
Both teams chosen by Webb and
Purdy were among the greatest OF an
| time local teams, at least. No doupt
many other old timers have still otner
| choices, but both Ping and Heinie agree
ball. PLAYED then, was better than that
of today.
II seems. taking it from the vets, the
chief source of trouble today Is in the
| Lack of pitching. In short, while wal
| ter Beali Lem owen, Heinie webb ana
other twirlers whose names are carved
| in the sandlot hall Of game breezed
them by the batter then, the present
crop of ball players do an aoout-face
and the batters breeze 'em by the
pitcher now.
Champing at the bit, so to speak,
sandlotters are wondering If they ever
viii GET a real chance to begin Spring
! training" 1t was announced yesterday
| at the Public Buildings and Public
| Parks office that even should today be
clear, the Monument diamonds would
This IS the third successive Sunday
that sandlotters have been hampered
in their efforts. With the league sea-
| sons slated to get under way shortly,
| little opportunity for practice VIII be
given the boys.
However, rain or no rain, hustling
sandlot managers are busy arranging
schedules.
Schwartz Midgets, who won the
midget championship Of the city last
year as the Sam Vests, are booking at
Columbia 1859.
Manager Horn Of the Moose Juniors
is arranging the schedule of that team
at National $500, branch IA and 10.
Manager Carl Dennison, who recent
" sought a couple of pitchers, now
wants an experienced first baseman to
round out his Palace-D. G. S. squad
He can be reached at West 2013.
Warren Ellis wants to corral some
unattached peewees. He is planning
to organize a ball club. Call North
265l-W.
There will be an all-star Jewish base
ball team on the Sandlots this season
A meeting OF candidates has beer
called for Tuesday in the Mosean Club
room, 100 q street, at o'clock.
Manager Brewer Is organizing team