Evening star., 1933-04-05

er1ul punch When 1t be-
gins swinging earnestly.
Getting out of a batting slump
that had checked it seriously, the
Cronin crew swept along on it's
southern training tour with an
attack that clearly revealed how
formidable it is likely to be often
sively in the American League
going.
The Nationals reached home shortly
before noon today with a clouting aver
age of .318 to show for the II exhibi-
tion tilts in which they engaged in
Dixie. Power plus, there.
Their batting eyes naturally not SO
clear in the early tussling, Cronin's
charges dropped three of the first seven
games played. In their last 10 games
down South, though, they amassed a
total OF lit Safeties-an average of al
most a dozen a game-and were de-
feated only twice.
The Nationals concluded their sched-
ule for the stand at the Biloxi camp
and the northward trek home with
record of IL victories. five defeats and
one tie. And to make their score that
good, they had to play .778 base ball
the last 10 days.
Heading this attack along the Missis-
s'ppi Coast and far inland was Heinie
Manush, the Nationals husky left
fielder. Participating in 13 games and
hitting safely in each-he was the only
National not to miss in game-Man-
ush rolled up the fine swatting mark
Of 468.
With him in the 400 class for the II
games was Fred Schultz, the new CEN
ter fielder Schultz, by the way, was
the only one of the club to take part in
all the exhibitions, and he banged the
ball for an average of AIT. In all,
Fred got Is hits and five of them were
homers.
Goose Goslin, back with the Ma
donals to play right field this time,
cracked for an average of 1853 in his
is engagements.
OSSie Bluege was the only one of the
regular infield to crash the 800 class.
for .5u4. Joe Crorfn, tfie boy field
boss, hit for 1856 in his 16 games. Joe
Kuhel batted .277 and Buddy Myer
.268 The first sacker was in Is tus-
sles and so was the second sacker.
So far as the regulars were con-
cerned, the Washington outfield batted
at .406 clip and the infield for .283
down South. More may be expected
of the infield. Both Cronin and Myer
are far stronger hitters than their bat
ting in the exhibitions would seem to
indicate. So, too, Is Kuhel.
The infield members have yet to flash
their true worth in attack. They may
be expected to splurge at any time now.
OF the trio of catchers with the Ma
tionals, Cliff Bolton got into the most
games and did the best hitting. He
clouted for the splendid average of .379
In his l3 games. This young receiver,
up with the Washington club for the
third time, is much improved per-
former behind the bat and hitting as
he has promises to be a great help to
his outfit.
Luke Sewell was used in dozen Of
The Southern engagements. He batted
at .226 rate. But Luke is far bet
ter batter than that. Moe Berg was
used sparingly by Manager Cronin. He
took part in only five games and got
patting marx OF just .lZ5.
Dave Harris led the Nationals re-
serve force with the fail in Dixie. He
crashed nine games and hit for 1854.
Johnny Kerr, clever little extra infielder,
batted 1853 in 10 tits. Sam Rice was
used in a dozen contests and the vet
eran swatted for .346. Bob Boken, who
can play we'll at any position in the in
field, took part in nine games and hit
for .266 rate.
What the pitchers did at bat is not
10 interesting, although several contrib
uted substantially to the Washington
offensive. Their won-and-lost records
for the Southern swing are given.
though with each game requiring two or
three men on the hill they do not offer
O true gauge of individual ability.
Here are the figures on the fingers,
the wins given first: Walter Stewart,
40 Al Crowder. 20; Luther Thomas,
10 Earl Whitehill, 10; Alphonse
Thomas, 10; Ed Linke, 81; Jack Rus
sell, 20; Monte Weaver, OIL; Bill
hrAfao nj