Evening star., 1932-05-12
JUDGE, RICE SHINE
AF|ELD AND AT BAT
Joe Peerless on Defense
Sam Star Pinch Batter.
Tigers Here for Set.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

w YASHINGTON'S base ball
M club is getting a lot of
Y ' help from a pair of old
timers. this season. Joe
Judge and Sam Rice, who have
been with the Nationals longer
than any other active players on
the clubs roster, have done plenty
to get their outfit away well in
the American League race.
At first base, Judge has been the best
in the junior major circuit and he has
been no slouch at bat. Rice, out Of a
regular outfield berth for the first time,
has been the Nationals most able
pinch-batter.
Judges fielding in the early going of
the flag race has been Of high order,
Just the kind of fielding Joe has done
since he first became the Nationals
regular first-sack guardian years ago.
From the start Judge has steadied the
infield, something that had to be done,
for both Cronin at short and Myer at
second were not so accurate with their
throws for a spell.
And Judge has really saved the Ma
tionals in several games on the start
ing end of his fielding specialty-that
first-to-second-to-first double play. No
other initial sack guardian in the Amer
lean League does so well as Joe in that
particular fielding stunt. It's a treat
to see him put 1t on.
At bat, Judge has hit for an average
og .305. Only Reynolds and Cronin of
the regulars have better batting marks.
Judge has done most of his hitting re-
Gently, too. He seems to be swinging
into fine stride that ought to bolster
the Nationals attack considerably. In
every way, Judge is demonstrating that
no mistake was made in restoring him
to the first base position he lost a
year ago this month when stricken by
appendicitis.
How old man Rice has delivered in
enough to have q batting average of
.357. And Sam has been knocking 'eIn
far, too. OF his five hits, two were
triples and one double. In his 40's,
Sam may not be able to Withstand the
strain of an everyday job in base ball,
but he still can fly around the bases.
And his hitting has been delight to
all except the opposition.
The Washington club Is getting plenty
from these timers, who Joined as far
back as 1915.
CIX games in four days when the In
- dams come here again in July. too
wet yesterday for a battle with
Pecks papooses. after two days Of re-
Taxation and rest the Nationals hurlers
should all be ready for duty In the
three game series with the Tigers that
was to get under way this afternoon. >.
West, Manush and Myer are compelled
to hit their way to first base this sea-
son, 1t seems. they are getting few
walks and each has been at bat 90 or
more times. Judge, fourth Of the Ma
tionals with respect to total of times at
bat, has been up legally but 81 times.
while the Nationals are plenty fast, they
prefer to slug their way around the
paths instead of attempting to steal
bases occasionally. only five base thefts
thus far by the entire club. Coach
Charity has Bobby Burke working
again to improve his pitching control.
the stringbean southpaw showed good
fas. ball and his usual puzzling curve
in his start against the Yankees last
week, but those dozen passes in seven
rounds made him look poor. some OF
those wide pitches were Intentional, of
course, but most weren't. and Coach
Charity intends to have Bob snap out
OF it. ladies' day tomorrow. with AL
Crowder likely to do the fiinging against
the Tigers.