Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-04-13
Wynn, KnuckIeba|Iinq
Trio Bid for Honor
Of Facing Macks
BY JOHN B. KELLER,
Star Staff Correspondent


BALTIMORE, April 13.-Whon
Ipitch against the Athletics of Phila-
delphia as the Mats open the season
in Washington next Tuesday after
Vice President Henry c. Wallace
makes the formal inaugural toss
hasn't been decided by Manager
OS Bluege, but it now looks as if his
choice will come from a group of
four.
Ready and eager for the honor are
Dutch Leonard, Mickey Haefner and
Johnny Niggeling, all knuckle- ball
ers, and Early Wynn, top fastball
hurler of the Washington clubs
squad. One of these probably will
get the call.
Leonard was to get turn on the
hill today as the Mats took on the
Coast Guard Cutters at Curtis Bay.
He had been billed to pitch at Fort
Meade yesterday against the Phillies,
but that game was called off because
the field was too muddy for use.
The other three may see some serv-
ice in the tussles tomorrow and Sat-
urday with Buffalo ana Baltimore
Of the international League.
Third Basemen to Alternate.
Indications are that the third
baSing for the club will be cared
for by Hills Layne and Gilberto
Torres at the outset of the cam
paign, with the left-hand-
Layne to be in there when the OPP
position starts right-hand pitcher
and Torres to take over against the
lefties.
Bluege won't admit this now, but
the way he has been employing the
two in recent exhibitions and the
superiority of their batting to the
stickwork of Luis Suarez, other third
base aspirant, strongly hints Layne
and Torres will be alternated at the
position.
Neither would hurt the Mats in
ner defense Layne has improved
considerably in his fielding since
reporting this year and Torres for
some time has been recognized as
a high-class infielder as we'll as an
accomplished pitcher. Either one
used with Joe Kuhel, George Myatt
and Johnny Sullivan would COM
plete far above-average defensive
Gordon.
Before showers halted practice
yesterday at College Park a tactical
lesson was given Wyatt and Sullivan
by Skipper Bluege. The keystone
pair was drilled in the art of double
play making and at the end of a
long session apparently had picked
up many fine points.
Mats Need More Work at Bat.
There was no time for much
needed batting practice, but the
Mats were hoping to get an extra
lot of it today before going into the
game with the Cutters. Although
there has been some improvement
at the plate in the last three train
ing tits, the Mats attack still could
use deal of polishing before the
championship campaign begins.
Bucky Harris, former Nat man
lager, has high regard for the Buff
falo club he is bringing to College
Park tomorrow. He is confident his
Bisons will be in the thick of the
International League fight this sea-
son, with such talent as Bobby
Maier and Billy Schaeffer around.
These infielders were powers at bat,
as well as exceptional fielders in
the lower minors last year.
After Vice President Wallace had
greeted the Mats Latin American
players and received his annual
American League pass from Clark
Griffith at the Capitol yesterday,
some reporter asked about plans for
his trip to the Far East. Before he
could reply, Griff bobbed up with,
How about bringing me a ball
player from China?"
Most of the squad was sent to
Curtis Bay for today's engagement.
Those few remaining at College
Park were given heavy work by
Coach George Uhle,