The Washington times., 1938-03-16
Launches
Game, Tossing
Out First Ball
REGULARS PLAY
KuheI Starts at First;
Buddy Lewis Nurses
"Chahey Horse"
BY FRANK BUCK" o,NEILL

ORLANDO, Fla, March is.
Melvin c. Hazen, chairman Of the
board Of District Commissioners
in Washington, will throw out
the first ball here this afternoon
as the Griffs officially open their
exhibition series against the st.
Louis Cardinals.
Mr.. HAGEN Is en- route to Miami
on vacation, but could not resist
the lure Of baseball. He turned
off the Miami trail to see the
team in action.
President Clark C. Griffith and
Edward B. Eynon, secretary of
the club, had Mr.. Hazen as their
guest at dinner last night, and
prevailed upon him to toss out
the ball, a rite which has become
accepted in baseball. Mr.. HAGEN
visited the Orlando mnicipal air.
port this morning. Inspecting the
squadron of flying fortresses con.
centrated here for aerial maneu-
verS, he will continue on to Miami
tomorrow or Friday. :
"How are the boys progressing?"
asked Mr.. Hazen, establishing
himself as the Districts No. / fan
in fact. IT hope that they have a
winning season."
GUARDED SECRETS
Griff went into detail, setting
forth the strength and needs Of
the team He probably let Mr..
Hazen in on few closely guarded
secrets.
President Griffith and Edward
Eynon accompanied Joe Cambria
to Clearwater yesterday, where the
last named conferred with Judge
Branham, minor league czar, over
the case Of Brady, the boy whose
disqualification last year caused
the Salisbury club Of the Eastern
Shcre League to forfeit a score of
games. Griff found time to visit
Tampa where he conferred with
Bill McKechnie Of the Cincinnati
Reds, and Bob Quinn, tycoon of
the Boston Braves.
Run1orS sped home as q result of
this trip Of Griff, who steadfaStly
denied that he done any baseball
business. He denied that he had
talked to Joe Mccarthy or any of
the Yankees. He said he had not
talked to Branch Hickey nor any
Of the Cardinal family.
RUMORS SPREAD
Despite denials the story per-
sisted that Griff had attempted to
pry loose an experienced catcher
to support Rick Ferren and Mickey
Livingston. It is said that Jake
Early will be carried for a while
as the third Washington catcher.
This is highly improbable, for the
reason that Early can't hit. There
is reason to doubt that he ever
will hit.
Buckley Harris announced this
morning that his regular team
would start against the Cardinals.
The lineup includes Joe Kuhel at
first base, but Jimmy WaSdell, the
youngster who is being groomed
for the position, will play four in
ningS Of the game. Mickey IiV.
ingston will catch at least three
innings, relieving Rick Ferrell.
There is some question as to
whether or not Buddy Lewis will
start, or even play. The young.
ster put too much enthusiasm
into his infield practice without
preparing his legs by running. AS
a result he is nursing q trouble
some, but not too serious charley
horse. Elliott or La Pointe may
play part Of the game at third
base, even If Lewis starts. Der
alte meister. Herr Oswald Bluege,
will be ready to play part Of the
game.
CASE, TAFT READY
Both George Case and Taft
Wright are ready to relieve AL Sim
mons and Johnny Stone in the
middle Of the game. Cases
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lad Graves action.
Simmons has been advised to let
down in his training. He has been
working as you seldom see men
work In training camps. Simmons
is determined to regain his former
station with the Griffs.
Elon Hogsett, Jimmy DeShong
and Monte Weaver will pitch for
Washington. Hogsett probably
will start, with Weaver working
the middle two innings and De.
Shong finishing the contest.
Nat Andrews, 81 Johnson, Lon
Warneke, Bob Weiland and Max
Macon are the Cardinal pitchers
here with the team. What dispo-
sition will be made Of them only
frankie Frisch knows.