Evening star., 1933-03-26
CONTESTS ON ROAD
WILL POL|SHPL
Trainer Martin Calls Club
Best Conditioned He's Seen.
Cronin Pleased.
BY JOHN b. KELLER.

K breaking camp mere To-Day
to start their roundabout
homeward trek, the Nation
ais are as fit physically as could
be desired and so well trained in
the ways Of base ball that the pol
ish to come from the exhibition
games yet to be played will have
them in fine fettle for the start of
the American League race in
Washington on April II.
Their physical fitness is vouched for
by Michael Francis Martin, veteran
trainer of their club, and that the 16
tests under fire the Nationals are to get
prior to the championship campaign
will round of all the rough edges Is the
expressed opinion of Joseph Edward
Cronin, their boy field boss.
Martin wakes enthusiastic when he
discusses the condition Of the battery
men who have been toiling on the Gulf
Coast nearly Ave weeks and the f1elders
in training almost three weeks. Mike
can't recall any other squad he has
handled that finished its work at camp
in better trim than this 1888 lot of
Washington players.
Cronin didn't expect perfection in his
club when its training ended here. He
admits there still are many flaws in its
play, but the manager firmly believes
his club IS smart enough to profit from
the grooming it will get in the more
than two weeks before the flag season
starts. Cronin is confident Of giving
the National Capital q club Of which
1t will be proud.
t.I REALLY think this club is far bet
i ter off physically than the one we
took out of here in 1880, the first
year we trained in Biloxi" Martin de-
clared today: THAT club was in fine
shape, you'll remember. 1t made a
great fight all the season, too. But this
club IS even finer so far as condition Is
concerned. Mind. now. I'm not talk
ing about its playing ability, although I
believe that to be great. Training only
Is my business. .
1--WE been looking after the physical
conditioning of ball players long time:
Why, I started when Mr.. Griffith had
the New York club back in the early
days of the American League. The
Highlanders they called them then, not
the Yankees. Many club In splendid
trim I've seen, but this one tops them
all.
Its a rugged lot Of players going out
of here, tell you," Mike went on. THE
men have had little trouble in this
camp. A few slight colds now and then.
yes Some sore arms, true. Outside
Of Bob Burke's they were only minor
ailments, though. Bill McAfee and Bob
Friedrichs had some trouble. but
they're all right now. Monte Weaver
complained of shoulder stiffness, but
he soon got rid of it.
We've nine pitchers who ace in prime
condition. And there's none better of
than AL Thomas. His arm has come
around nicely since that operation last
Fall The treatments he got right after
those bone chips were removed helped
him wonderfully and he has trained well
here. Al has worked wonderfully in
batting practice Only today he went
through Is minutes Of hard practice and
showed plainly that there is nothing
about his arm to make any one worry.
Our catchers are strong and that
goes for the fielders, too. There has
been no leg trouble in camp this time.
outside of regular practice and games
and they are ready for the grind.
I'm saying again" Mike came out en-
phatically, this club is in great trim.
I've never seen better conditioned
one"
CRoNIN looks for q steady improve
~ ment in batting, Smarter work on
the bases and cleverer play afield
to come from the remaining exhibition
engagements. I'VE have the hitters.
Past records show that" declared Joe
as the Nationals were preparing to get
out Of Biloxi, but there's much clear
ing Of batting eyes needed. The fel-
lows are swinging in good form, but
the pitchers are fooing them too often:
lots of confidence in the clubs offensive
power.
It's in base running and fielding that
the club must brace. There have been
faults on the participating faults. And
the defensive play has been spotty,
especially in the matter OF holding down
hits Several times runners have made
more bases on hits than they should
have, simply because of outfielderS' slug
gish returns and infielders' tardy relays.
It has looked as though the fielders
we're challenging the runners, daring
them to try for the extra base.
We'll, the runner got those bases" "
Joe ruefully admitted. But when we
get into the season they'll be getting
them rarely" he added grimly It'll
be our side stepping along on the paths
then more often than not. OF that I'm
confident. We have the speed. It's up
to us to learn how to use it. That
knowledge will come In the exhibition
games.
I'm glad we are making those mis-
takes now. We can talk them over after
a game and thereby learn what not to
do as we'll as what we should try to do.
That's what the exhibition games are
for, of course Something to show q
club where it Is wrong. It's up to the
club, then, to rub out those flaws.
With the regulars in there all through