Evening star., 1944-04-04
ShuffIed Lineup Used
In Exhibition TussIe
With Coast Guard
Rv JOHN B. KELLER,
Star Staff rorreSpopder+

NdlS mere To-Day f1Or an eXllDlClO0
tilt with the Cutters of the Curtis
Bay Coast Guard, Os Bluege is rush.
ling a series of experiments in an
effort to determine the best way to
use his charges. With only two
weeks to go before the American
League championship campaign gets
under way, he plans to mix regulars
with reserves in his line-ups to
uncover his best defensive front and
to shuttle the batting order fire.
quently to tab the offensive possi-
bilities of his squad.
Bluege brought a makeshift team
here to send against the Cutters.
Reserves studded the infield and
Ioutfield, and catching talent new to
the big leagues did most of the work
behind the plate.
An odd assortment of players
probably will be employed against
the Baltimore club to be met at Fort
Meade Thursday, and Bluege may
continue his experiments through
the tussles with the Philadelphia
National Leaguers to be encoun-
tered Saturday and Sunday.
Special Drills for Suarez.
The Washington manager isn't
greatly concerned with the fielding
angle as he is confident a better
than fair defense can be fielded no
matter what combination of Mats
he sends into action But the hit
ting in intracamp and exhibition
games has been far from impressive
and Bluege hopes to bolster his
clubs power in the little time re-
naming before the start of the
season.
Bluege still regards Luis Suarez,
third base rookie from Cuba, as the
top fielding prospect for the position
left vacant by Sherry Robertson's
transfer to the Navy, but as a batter
Suarez leaves much to be desired.
He has revealed little power against
inside pitching and the coaches are
working overtime in special drills
in an effort to increase his punch.
With the regulars in action, Bluege
may drop Suarez from sixth place
in the batting order to eighth to ex-
change posts with Johnny Sullivan.
The latter on paper is no great
shucks as a hitter, but his punch
last year was productive. He built
good runs-batted-in record on a
.208 batting average.
Apt to Alternate Batters.
Stan Spence and Joe Kuhel also
may drop out of the lineup when
the opposition employs left-hand
pitching. These vets who swing
from the left side possibly will be
replaced by Jake Powell and Ed
Butka. Spence, who batted .267 last
year, is a streak hitter who often
poles a long ball, but Powell, who
hit .265 last year, has indicated in
the practice games at College Park
that more may be expected from his
right-hand swinging this season.
Kuhel looks better at bat than Ia
1943 when he hit for a puny .213.
but then. Joe still was recuperating
from a major operation. With no
other capable first baseman around.
Kuheis would be in there regardless
OF his average at the plate. But the
presence of Butka, keen fielder as
well as long-socking right-hand
batter, gives Bluege chance to try
a switch at the initial sack.
Case Still AiIing.
George Case is bothered by a sore
throat, believed to be the result of a
sinus condition. He has been out of
uniform for three days while under
going treatment.
Some of the Cubans working out
with the Mats are slated for Ship
ment to the new Wiliamsport club of
the Eastern League. Bluege hasn't
picked the ones to go, but it won't
be long.
Scout Joe Cambria says Mario
DIaz, Cuban catcher, who had in
tended to remain at his Job on the
Island, has changed his mind and
Will come up for trial with the
Mats.
Sundays game with Camp Lee at
College Park aided the Prince
Georges County Red Cross t6 the ex-
tent of $655. Figures were an
nounced by the drive chairman, Mrs.
Bill Werber, wife of the former
major league star.
Those left at camp today were
scheduled for long batting drill.
1t was too cold yesterday for any
practice of that nature.