The Washington times., 1936-02-26
TrauisMay
BeManhr
ShOrtStOp
BY FRANK BUCK" ONEML

ORLANDO, Fla, Feb. 26.-Cecil
Travis, who lacked the touch Of
greatness as o third baSeman;
whose career Of promise as an
outfielder was ended by the clos
ing Of q season, may be the man
Of the Griffmen's year in 1885
as o shortstop. The drawlin'
Georgian stepped into his posi-
ton for the first time yesterday
and gave an exhibition that
gladdened the heart Of Bucky
Harris. That left side Of second
base, an open avenue to alien
victory in 1895. may be q Gibral-
tar in 1896 If Travis carries on
as Harris thinks he will.
Travis showed the instructive
skill that marks ball players in
his first workout. In taking
double play throws from Bucky
Harris, who worked at second
base with him, Travis rushed for
the bag, tagged the corner of
the bag to step into the clear
and arched his throws to Joe
Kuhel at first base. Ht charged
fearleSsly into the terrain behind
the pitchers box, went to right
or left and got the ball away
quickly. The allimportant ele-
ment Of time was reckoned with
intuitive deftness.
Task Started
The task of making Travis into
a Shortstop was begun by Stanley
Harris in impressive style. Travis
reported yesterday and surprised
all hands by stepping into his uni
form.
Lets get q second baSeman
and start with Travis" said
Clark Griffith.
you've got o second base
man." said Harris. Remember
that kid who played second in
the world series of "a? Well, he's
here and he's ready"
"Let's CO." said Travis, and
the work was on.
Then started a period Of instruc-
ton for a young ball player such
as has seldom been witnessed on
any ball park. Harris, once more
the fiery ball player, went to sec.
ond base and Nick Atrock batted
grounderS.
i43eter every bah Harris stopped
and coached Travis on how to get
the ball away. When to tcss that
soft ball to the pivot man that
makes double plays easy for the
masters of infield play.
How To Snap BAN
He told Travis when to snap the
ball to get it to second on a play
where time was important. And
then Harris handled the ball him
self, coaching Travis on how to
tag the outside corner Of the bag
with his toe tip and rifle the ball
to first base.
"N you step into the clear
with q side arm throw they can't
upset yOu," he told the kid, and
in three minutes Cecil was tag.
ging that corner as you've seen
Peck and ScOttie and Mcbride
tag the corners In the old days.
Harris tossed a soft ball to
Travis and Cecil, rushing up, step
ped off the bag before he caught
the throw.
"SlOw up on that one; you
missed the bag. Be sure that you
get to the bag IS the ball gets
there. II you don't that runner
will be safe, and hit may mean
the ball game"
A dozen plays later Harris tried
the same trick, and Travis slowed
in his charge and got the ball
properly and made his throw to
first base.
Travis ImpreSseS
The extra yards from short
stop to the plate as compared
to the distance from third to the
plate will mean q lot to Travis.
He charges the ball fearlessly,
and his hands, naturally kind
| SS44O VI uC LII q OtbSCD6A OC44oCp
make plays nicely. He covered
the difficult zone behind the
pitchers box the one time Al
trock sent the ball down there.
81 am more than surprised"
Harris said after the drill, "and
that is putting it mildly. Travis
showed me enough stuff out
there to convince me that
he has the makingS Of . real
ShOrtStOp. He handled those
double plays i'm fine style, and
I liked the way he tagged the
corners Of the bag to carry
himself inside or outside Of the
path Of . runner to make his
throws. This play always
bOthers . kid breaking into a
position. He is intelligent and
he is going to make good. The
drill today was just one feature
of the work we will carry on
throughout the training period.
He may make mistakes, but he
wants to play ball. and he can
play ball. He il q sweet hitter
and will be on the team"
81 believe that I can play
shOrtstOp all right" Travis said
after the practice. 'Tts differ.
ent from third and there'lI be
more chances to handle, but
boys, I think I'm going to learn