Evening star., 1938-03-18
BUILDING 0FFENSE
DODGERS 'B|GT TASK
Fielding, Mound Problems
Appear SoIved-Grimes,
Mungo Again Pals.
BY GAYLE TALBOT,
Associated Press Sports Writer,

CLEARWATER. Fla, March 18.-
The Brooklyn Dodgers. as you might
have guessed, are perplexed about
something. Both Manager Burleigh
1.-TWO Quid) Grimes and the astute
Larry MacPhail are doing a powerful
lot of thinking and figuring.
What's on their minds is that short
right field fence at Ebbets Field. back
IN dear old FlatbuSh. The tempting
barrier is surmounted by lofty screen,
erected some years ago when rival
National League clubs created a nui-
sance by popping shoals of cheap
nome runs in that direction Now
the Dodgers, having paid real money
Tor Dolf Camilli. are wondering if it
wouldn't be good idea TO abolish the
screen.
If We can develop a couple more
good pull hitters to 60 with Camilli,
Ill take it down." said MacPhail.
Otherwise We would be suckers be-
cause these other clubs would start
coming in there and knocking our
brains out"
HitterS Still Needed.
- So, while MacPhail watches. Grimes
is trying to produce some free-swinzine
gents who can knock baseballs high
and to right field. MacPhail's eyes
sparkle every time the pellet sails in
that direction. and he hurrledlv asks
who hit 1t. Usually he finds out that
1t was either John Winsett or a rooki.
pitcher, but he's not discouraged vet.
Otherwise, the Dodgers haven't anv
pressing problems on their minds, ex-
cept, probably, that they need a few
lnhelders who can hit and some out
f1elders who can get under a fly ball.
They were experiencing some difficulty
with their bat boy yesterday. He
seemed to be under the impression
that the sticks should be retrieved
from the infleld only between innings.
But Grimes undoubtedly will get that
lroned out.
lheres a mellow atmosphere about
the camp. Grimes is very matey both
with Van Mungo and Buddy Hassett
to whom he spoke only upon special
occasions, and with emphasis, last sea-
son. Burleigh volunteered the state
ment that Mungo was in the best shane
of his career.
Hassett Improves Afield.
Outside OF Camilli, the most notable
addition to the club, which wound up
sixth last year, is Leo Durocher at
shortstop, a purchase from the Cards.
Harry Lavagetto is being moved over
to third base and Peter Coscarart,
from Portland, put in charge Of sec
ond. Coscarart is a beautiful fielder
but, like Durocher and Layapetto
can't hit. It's the curse of the Brook
lyns.
Hassett. whose job has been usurped
by Camilli, is looking pretty good in
left field. He still has to learn how to
come In on a low-hit liner, but he's
last on his feet and can hold onto a
oal. He looks an improved hitter. too.
lhe veteran Heinie Manush. who
sWatted a lusty 1893 last year, agreed
to terms yesterday. Camilli is expected
70 arrive Sunday and sign his contract
Inc Brooklyn pitching staff likely
Will go into the season without A start
ing left-hander. The only one in camp
Is Alta Cohen, a rookie from Toledo.
and Grimes isn't sure he will carry
MIN. But lack Of southpaw doesn't
worry Burleigh, he claims.
Fair Pitching Staff.
The clubs five top pitchers apain
VII! be Van Mungo. Albert Butcher.
Luke Hamlin, Fred Farmhouse and
Fred F1tzsimmons, in about that order
with the former Schoolboy Waite Hoyt
still a handy man to have around
George Jeffcoat looks the best of the
young ones
It's not a bad pitching staff, as
Grimes points out, particularly if
Mungo has a good year. And if
Camllli and Hassett and Manush and
Dig Babe Phelps, the catcher, all hit
as well as they did last season. the
Dodgers might move up a notch, or
even two.
MacPhail isn't going to install lights
for night ball at Ebbets Field for an
other year at least.