Evening star., 1932-03-06
SAM SHOWS SOUND
ARM IN FIRST DRILL
Rain Cuts PraCtice-Boxmen
Primed for Wand-Wield-
ing, Starting Tomorrow.
RY TOM DOERER-

- for the washington pall
club today when Sammy
West, than whom there is none
greater, affixed his signature to a
contract for 1882 and then went
out to the ball field and proved
that all the soreness in his bril-
liant throwing arm had vanished
under the magic of an operation
in Chicago last Fall and the min
istrations of Trainer Mike Martin.
Vests act made certain OF another
and very important cog IN the Ma
tional's machine for West is one OF the
figures who is destined to carry large
share of the burden when the pennant
campaign opens on April IL. HIS NIT
ting prowess. which is undiSputed In the
light of his 1893 average which led the
entire team last year and his eradlca-
ton of his former weakness against leiI-
handed pitching, is overShaooWeo py
his fielding ability.
Clark Griffith makes no qualltcatlonS
in describing West as the best center
fielder in the league and he expressed
extreme qualification this morning Wnen
in company with Walter Johnson ne
watched the centerflelder go through
the motions of pegging the ball with an
the ease of his halcyon years ana Win
as much zip as can be expected at this
stage of the year.
Salary Not Divulged.
In accordance with the belief express
ed by Griffith last night, no dlfhculty
was encountered in reaching terms with
West in a brief conference today, al
though the owner would not dlvulge the
extent of his salary. He lntlmateo, now
ever, that West had escaped the general
wage-cutting in vogue and perhaps mao
been given a substantial increase que 10
his brilliant season OF 1881 desplte tie
fact that he was bothered considerably
by a growth on his throwing arm.
West was in uniform for the first time
todav. The workout was cut short by
rain, although batting practice was the
only item on the regular routine that
was missed. The rainfall marked the
first time this season that the NatlonalS
practice has been interrupted by the
weather and with the progress the team
has made in the two weeks here, II
was felt no harm had been done.
=, Tomorrow will be the last Sunday OF
rest for the Griffs with exhlbltlon
games scheduled on every Saooath
thereafter. With most Of the veterans
slreadv at camp, the Nationals will be
shle to present a familiar lineup for
the opening game here with Baltimore
on March 13, but it is expected that
with the exception of two or three
posts, a rookie nine will be seen In
action.
except for the pitchers, ball play
ers do not need long period OF train
ing" said Griffith today. The treno
among the players of today Is to keep
in shape virtually all Winter by some
form of exercise and it Is rare when a
veteran reports very much out OF con-
dition. The pitchers, though, have got
to take it slowly.
Pitchers Well Advanced.
We've completed two weeks OF train
ing and I've never seen a group OF
pitchers so well advanced. They
haven't cut loose yet, but every man
on the squad will be ready to take a
turn on the mound by Sunday. They
won't pitch more than three innings
apiece, though I don't know yet
whether we'll work the veterans or the
rockies In the opening game"
Manager Walter johnson continues
to be the hardest working man in uni
form, setting the pace for the pitchers
in throwing practice and the fungo
men In outfield drill. He Is undiS-
putedly the champion logger OF them
all and leads the rockies merry pace
around the big Biloxi park. johnson
is a great believer in road work to
strengthen the legs and is a diligent
taskmaster in overseeing the work OF
his men in that respect.
Today's rain put damper on the
afternoons fishing and the lobby was
alive with beknickered ball players. The
casino game Of johnson and Schacht in
a far corner drew a large gallery and
gave evidence of continuing far into
the night with Schacht having win
ming streak Of eight straight to his
credit
Johnny Friedrich, Mike Delaney
Johnny Boyle and Monte Weaver pun
ished the ping-pong ball in the game
room and Patsy Charity and Eddie
Ainsmith we're locked in duel of three
cushion billiards.
Griff's Golf is Halted
Mr.. Grif1th reported that the rair
this afternoon deprived him OF his gol
for the first time since he arrived here
80 days ago and he was meanderlne
from group to group in fatherly fash
ION.
Something of a record has been Sc
by the total absence Of injuries. No
a sore arm has been reported amont
the pitchers, remarkable commentar.
in itself. But the risk of injury vii
be greater starting next week wheI
the second batch of regulars arrive ant
get into uniform.
Longer batting drills and running
the bases will then be in vogue and i
is on the bases that so per cent of tn
Injuries are suffered, according to Mike
Martin, the trainer, who has been 6
trainer In the big leagues for % years
man and boy. and always attached t
the same club as Griffith.