The Washington times., 1937-12-31
Griff Rockies to Report
At Orlando February "a
Harris Goes
With First
Group
BY FRANK BUCK" O'NEILL

The pitchers and catcherS {
the Washington Baseball Club wi
report at Orlando on or about Eel
ruary "a, according to tentativ
plans discussed today by Presider
Clark C.. Griffith. 1t is likely, toC
that the youngsters trying fc
other positions on the club wi
report at the same time, with tn
veteran infielders and outfielde1
swinging into action on or abou
March 10.
The season will open here i
Washing ION on April 10, one da
in advance of the regular ope1
ings in other cities.
ROCKIES REPORT EARLY
THE regulars will establish
camp on March TO-" Griff said
this morning. II expect that the
young pitchers and catchers,
along with some of the other
rockies, will report about two
weeks before the veterans. I
haven't set any definite date,
but that is about right.
IT will send Bucky Harris
down with the first squad and,
of course, Mike Martin will go
along with them. I will not al
low a big glove to be used for at
least a week, but will order the
pitchers to toss the ball around.
BY doing this, I think that we
will avoid a lot of sore arms.
NEED CATCHER
IT won't let the pitchers do
any batting during the first ten
days." continued Griffith. Il
know how they are. They bust
one through, and it looks good.
The batter hits a line drive
through the box, and the war is
on. The pitchers start bearing
down before they're ready, and
you have a flock of sore arms
among your pitchers.
Our greatest need right now is
TO develop a young catcher. OF
course, we need pitchers, but 1
think we will be all right so far
as they are concerned. We have
to get a good young catcher.
Maybe Livingston will be the
one we'll develop. Maybe Early
has advanced to a point where
he will be ready.
Suppose you don't get a
young catcher?" we asked Grit
nth.
"Well, I don't know" he an
swered.
Then you'll have to buy a
catcher" it was suggested.
SPRING TRADE LIKELY
eyes, and no. Mebbe we can
make a trade or two in the
spring." countered Griff. Trades
sometimes whip up over night.
Some youngster comes along
and drives a veteran out of &C.
tion. Then you can make a
good DEAL"
If some Of Detroit's young bal
players come along, it might b
possible to make a deal for Hay
worth, the catcher, and how Harri
would leap at that chance. TIL
Bengal receiver has slowed up
bit under years and injuries, bu
he would be welcome addition
to our ball club for the next littl
while.
Statistics show that home rul
llitters flourished at Navin FielC
in Detroit last summer. No feWe
than 149 home runs, almost tw,
per game, rode out Of the lot dun
ing the summer. Yankee Stadium
was next, with 1876 homers, "a o
which were made by Yank bats
men.
HIT .2SO
In the rush to dethrone the New
York Yankees in the American
League next year, there is a dis
position to overlook Joe Gordon
the youngster who played seconC
base for the Newark Bears las
year. Gordon is regarded by Jo
as a sure shot to pla,
for the worlds cham
pions, and records compel you tt
respect McCarthy's judgment o
players.
Gordon hit $50 for Newark las
year. but he probably will 1mprov
in that department.. If he evel
succeeds in holding that pace.
will be sufficient for the Rupper
forces.
Gordon stands at this time wher
Tony Lazzeri stood a dozen year
ago as he awaited his chance t
make the major league grade. La
zer1 then had only the aging Fri
Ward to beat. Gordon has the hgh
hitting Don Heffner to beat.
REAL BOSS
LazZeri was a great ball player