Evening star., 1944-03-15
Hur|ers 0vertax Trio
OF Receivers; First
.Cubans Arrive
BY JOHN B. KELLER.

!
worries with II hurlers now tossing
the ball around at the University OF
Maryland training camp of the Mats
and perhaps five more slated to
check in for conditioning, but the
catching situation has the manager
a trjf1e upset.
So far, there are only two regular
pros and bullpen performer at
hand and they are hollering for
help. Until Fermin Guerra, catcher
who came up 10 the Mats by way of
Chattanooga and Mexico and the
Cuban Mario Diaz check in Rick
Ferrell. Rogelio Valdes and Hand
some Fitzgerald will have their
hands full.
Ferrells time, of course, Is taken
up by the four knucklers in the
camp-Dutch Leonard, Roger Wolff
Mickey Haefner and Johnny Mig
ceiling. They're his speciality, which
leaves Fitzgerald and the non-E Eng
disappearing Valdes to look after a
sizable kock of pitchers, Bluege
could use some more big glove
Wearers.
Niggeling Spry New Papa.
Nlggeling arrived only yesterday
along with Early Wynn and the
first Cuban contingent and looked
pretty spry for new papa.
1t was a girl, weighing pounds
61a ounces, that was born to the Mig
ceilings at LIE Mars. Iowa, last Sat-
urday and Papa Niggeling celebrat-
ed yesterday by going through a.
peppery training program. A lanky,
long-muscled athlete, Johnny at SO
steps around like a much younger
man and, according to Trainer Mike
Martin, should be ready to show
something on the ball by the time
the remainder of the Mats squad
reports for training next week.
Wynn also appeared close to trim
but the pitcher who had the best
record for the Mats last season
doesn't believe he'll be around the
club long this year. His draft num-
Der is up at his Charlotte IN. c.
board and he is expecting a call at
any time. Until it comes, however
he'll play ball.
Bluege to Speak in Spanish.
Some of the Cubans finally caught
the boat. Santiago Ullrich.
pitcher; Francisco Quientis, an out
fielder, and Valdes were waiting at
the door OF Ritchie Coliseum YES
terday morning when Locker Room
custodian Frankie Baxter arrived
at $3.50 to open up. There was some
confusion for Baxter knows no
Spanish and English means nothing
to the Cuban trio.
Linguistic difficulties soon NAV be
overcome, though. There are manv
boys from Puerto Rico among the
army trainees at the university and
several have voluteered to act as
interpreters for Bluege. Now the
Washington manager is preparing
q greeting which. he will deliver in
Spanlsh-as soon as he learns the
few words necessary--to the group
OF Cubans present and repeat to
other arrivals from the island, 1T
should be something to hear.
Valdes, Ullrich and Quientis are
1.-the youngsters, each nearly six
feet tall and weighing around It's.
Fhey~"made themselves right at
nome on the College Park ballfieId
and the speed with which they threw
showed they had done plenty of
playing this winter. Ullrich. Incl
dentally, is tabled as pitcher of
considerable promise. Scouts who
have seen him perform in Cuba say
he has a good fast one and a curve
that's more than a wrinkle.
Jake Powell, veteran outfielder,
showed up for practice instead of
waiting until next Monday. "Just
couldn't keep of the field" said
Jake. All that bothered him yes
terday was lack of batting prac-
tice. Therell be no club-swinginp
until all hands are gathered next
week.
First injuries of the training
season bobbed up, but minor ones.
Pitcher Bob Albertson turned an
ankle, one that frequently bothers
him, and Ullrich suffered a finger
tear. Both were out again today.
President Clark Griffith, Manager
Bluege, Coach Clyde Milan and
Sam Rice, one-time outfelding star
for the Mats, were guests of the
Silver Spring Lions Club at dinner
at Indian Spring Country Club last
night. Griff told the Lions baseball
would take good care of itself in
its third wartime season.
An exhibition game with Camp
Lee at College Park on Sunday.
April 2, has been added to the Mats
schedule. Admission will be free.
linksmon, SO, Youngest
In Evon& W;oe kAo11I