Evening star., 1940-02-14
Nat batterynlen
Are Due Today
Or Tomorrow
Boss Thinks He Told
Somebody to Arrange
Reporting Schedule
BY FRANCIS E. STAN,
Star StaH Correspondent.

ORLANDO, Fla, Feb. 14.-There
is a well-founded rumor in these
parts that a ball club called the
Washington Nationals is going to dc
its spring training here. But the
question is, when?
Doggedly pursuing a path of un-
certainty and striking a hilarious
first chord, the Mats boss men aren't
sure. The roster says the first
squad is due to report February Is
President Clark Griffith says that
he wanted the boys on hand today
ready to go to work tomorrow.
Trainer Mike Martin says that
Manager Bucky Harris didn't know
this and won't be on hand until
Thursday. But" he added, help
fully, I'm not sure"
Anyway" pronounced Mr.. Grit
fifth, well start this week. But ]
coulda sworn I told somebody to
have 'em down here today"
The pay roll boys already in tow
Martin, Coach Benny Bengough,
Assistant Trainer Frankie Baxter
and the clubhouse gang-were going
to play it safe and form welcoming
committee at the station when the
towns daily train. due at 1:35 pm,
wheezes in at 2:50. If mail is the
only thing unloaded they'll be back
tomorrow, or until the first of the
ree-loaders arrive.
Griff Starts Leip Boom.
Meanwhile, Griffith, back from the
Rules Committee meeting at Bell
aire, Fla, is weighing in with a
boost for Second Baseman Eddie
Leip. The Old Fox has Leip labeled
as the rookie of the year. This is
pretty tough on Leip. Last year
there were three rockies of the
year" in camp in Pitchers Tom
Baker and Walter Masterson and
Guess-What Roberto Ortiz. All were
good with knives and forks, but
their expertness ended there.
Griff is high on Leip. IT like
everything about him." said the Old
Fox, singing merrily. II think hes
the best second baseman on the
club"
The old gentleman likes to dream
happily about fellows like Leip. I,
takes his mind off his problems
which are fivefold and as follows:
dutch Leonard still is un-
signed.
2.-Ditto Rookie Jimmy Pofahl.
3.-Ditto Outf1elder Gerald Wal.
ker.
4.-Ditto Catcher Rick Ferrell.
5.-And Cecil Travis, too.
Flash-Dean Holds Out.
When and if the train arrives to.
day it may discharge 13 pitchers
and there is a possibility of a 14th
This would be one James Dean from
Rockmore, Ga, a rookie who won II
straight games last year in the
Florida State League and who ap.
parently is holding out, setting 8
new class D financial record.
The pitchers were to be headed
by Joe Krakauskas, the perennia
boy about -to-make good; Alexandra
Carrasquel, the ancient Venezulear
who put on Is pounds and nov
weighs over 200; Paul Gehrman, thu
highly-touted righthander picked ur
for $500 in the minor league draft
and Almon Williams, the ex-Phila.
delphia hurler who performed last
year at Chattanooga.
In addition, several other toe.
plate wearers of more dubious abil.
ity and status, like Masterson, Bucky
Jacobs. Sidney Hudson. Rene Mon
teagudo, Lou Truman, Gilbertt
Torres, Early Wynn, Anthony Castro
and Fred Byram, are due Castro !!
a new Cuban discovery of Scout Joe
Cambria.
"Six feet, three inches" reports 6
chastened and cautious Mr.. Cam.
bria. He neglected to mention
whether he was faster than John
son.
Griff Peeved at Torres.
Torres, another Cuban, doesnT
know it but he has incurred tn.
wrath of Griffith.
II wrote him to pitch once a weel
in the Cuban League over the win.
ter" pouted Griff. Instead, hi
| played third base regularly. I dom
need any more third basemen.
want pitchers. You don't eat crack.
ers when you're thirsty, do you?"
The only regular due to report thi!
week is Jimmy Wasdell, who is dowr
to play first base. Two catchers, A
Evans and Jake Early; outflelder'
Ortiz, Elmer Gideon and Alex Pitko
and inf1elder Jack Sanford are tt
complete the first squad, whenever
1t comes.