Evening star., 1944-04-29
Mats Sharpen Batting,
Revise Hurting Slate
For Yankee Series
BY JOHN B. KELLER.


the Mats a day off yesterday, but
they refused to take it. Instead, Os
Bluege's charges were out for three
hours on the field at Grifhth Sta
dium sharpening their batting eyes
for the tussling with the world
champion Yankees of New York,
slated to get under way this AFTER
noon.
In other departments, the Mats
are matches for any opposition,
Skipper Bluege believes, despite
some weaknesses revealed in de-
fensive play in early games, That
fault soon will be eradicated, he
feels, but there must be improve
ment in attack to get the club up
in the American League race.
So at every opportunity the Mats
will be sent into overtime batting
drills. They won't have these op-
portunities next week for they'll be
playing on fields in Boston and
Philadelphia, but Bluege says the
off days to follow the swing through
the East will be devoted to practice
dt tIlC pLdJC.
This could help the Mats in big
way.
Pitching Plans Changed.
Looking to the three game series
with the Red Sox in Boston, starting
Monday, Bluege has revised his
pitching plans for the Yankee series.
Now Mickey Haefner, one of the
two lefties on the Mats squad, and
Early Wynn, lone winner with the
club thus far, will hurl In tomorrow's
double bill. Bluege first had planned
to use the knuckle-balling Roger
Wolff instead of Wynn in the Sum-
day sessions.
With the Red Sox lineup 80
heavily right-handed, but still not
so strong against the butterfly ball
pitchers, Bluege decided to hold
back Wolff for the Boston set. He
likely will get the Tuesday assign
ment there with Johnny Niggeling
going to the hill for the series
opener.
Haefner, of course, will be held
back until the set with the Athletics
beginning next Friday in Phila-
delphia. This series also may see
Bill Lefebvre, the Mats other lefty,
make his season debut. Neither of
the southpaws will hurl against
those Boston right-hand batters.
No Rest for Ferren Near.
Milo Candini will continue pitch
ing in relief roles until the present
starters have settled to smooth per-
formance, Bluege has limited The
skipper regards Candini as his best
pitcher back of the regulars and
well-fitted by experience for the
rescuing jobs. But by midsummer
Milo may be out on the hill starting
games.
There's no rest in sight for Rick
Ferrell for some time. Barring in
jury, the veteran catcher is slated
for steady job until the double
header schedule starts. And there
promises to be big one the way
the weather has jumbled the early
part of the season. When the twin
bills come, little Mickey Guerra
will surprise the fans with his
ISpteu anu SOCK.
George Case is hoping to get
back to the baSe-stealing business
begun SO auspiciously nine days
ago when he pilfered two sacks in a
game against the AS. Since then
George has been on paths only one
time for Is trips to the plate.
Walks Come Kuhers Way.
Joe Kuhel has become quite a
walker. In his last 10 turns he has
drawn six passes. And in one of the
three legal times at bat he Dashed
triple.
Rick Ferrell and George Myatt
are the only Mats who have man.
aged to hit safely in all five games
played thus far.
After the Yanks clear out to-
morrow, therell be nothing more
here for the Mats until May 10.
when the surprising Browns of st.
Louis come on to usher in Wash
ington'S long night season.
Falls Church Eagles Win
Falls Church Eagles shut out
Jefferson High yesterday on the
Eagles diamond, 80.
Goithersbure High Victor