Evening star., 1945-03-31
Service TiIts 10 Stiff
Wheat From Chaff
In Infie|d, Garden
BY JOHN b. KELLER,
Star Staff CorrpsponSent


FORT MONROE, Va, Mar. 81
Who's who among the Mats will be
determined by the time they get
home next week after string of ex-
hibitions with Uncle Sans forces in
the Norfolk area.
A make-or-b stretch of seven
games was to get under way this
afternoon in tussle with the Army
team here. Six tilts with the Sail
ors at the Norfolk Training Station
will follow. With these out of the
way, Manager Os Bluege will be in a
position to select the lineup that
will plunge into the American
League championship campaign at
Griffith Stadium two weeks from
next Monday.
There1l be plenty for Bluege to
find out before making his choices.
Although more than a score of ball
players have been working out at
College Park under his direction for
more than fortnight, he has yet to
see in action this year such men as
Harlond Cliff and Gil Torres, in
fielders, and Catcher Mike Guerra.
Cliff, who reported only Thursday,
was brought along on the trip. Tor
res, expected in Washington some
time today, will be sent to the squad
as quickly as possible But Guerra
will miss the trip, for he isn't due to
reach the Capital until late next
week
Outfield Problem Vexing.
Bluege will have enough to keep
him occupied in checking over his
outf1eld. George Binks and Walt
Chipple still have to prove their
value in the pastures and at bat.
In exhibitions thus far, Binks hasn't
batted anything like his .374 average
with Milwaukee last season and he
hasn't been so good afield. Chipple,
drafted from Montreal, still is an
uncertainty.
Bluege must put power above de-
fensive ability in shaping up his
outfleld for the departure of Stan
Spence to the Navy leaves a big
spot in the Mats attack to be
plugged. George Case, who led the
Nat attack two years ago. must be
regarded an outfield fixture, but
Case has yet to show he has fully
recovered from an operation on the
shoulder that handicapped him last
year.
Jose Zardon, the Cuban with only
a year of professional experience
behind him, will get good looking
over this trip. 1t may be that
Bluege will have to depend greatly
on Zardon in the organiza ton of an
outfield. Jake Powell, also in the
running for regular garden job,
may not be with the squad during
the Norfolk games. He still doesn't
know when he will get away from
his policemans job in Montgomery
County, Md.
Infield Must Be Settled.
An inf1eld problem also needs So
luton, George Myatt, last years
second baseman, has been taking
care of shortstop, but in no high
class manner. Bluege isn't too opti-
mistic about Myatt as shortstop,
but figures he must be Used there
to give the batting order more
punch. Chuck Beihl, Wheeling (W.
Va) semipro, also will have oppor-
tunity to show his shortstopping
wares in the next week, but thus
far Beihl hasn't indicated he will
beat out Myatt for the job. Should
Myatt continue at short, the Mats
ought to be well protected at second
by Fred Vaughn. But Vaughn, with
a heel still sore as a result of an
operation, SO far hasn't been able
to put up his best game.
Adding to infield uncertainties
that Bluege must clear UP in the
next six days is whether Cliff can
take over a regular post at third.
Cliff is confident he'll make the
grade this time. He remained on
his farm in Washington State until
late June last year, then was unable
to make successful comeback. Now
it looks as though he must beat
out determined and much i'm
proved Hills Layne for the place.
Pitchers Well Advanced.
The seven games on the trip are
expected to bring up to season.
starting form group of veteran
pitchers already well advanced in
training. All the old timers will see
service and there'll also be much
work for Rockies Marino Pieretti,
Santiago Ullrich, Al RoSsi and Larry
Burger. Bluege will know just what
he may look for in pitching by the
time the Mats get home.
First pruning of the squad sent
Jim Langley, a first-sacker brought
in from WilliamSport, and Armando
Gallart and Angel Fleitas, Cuban
infielders, to the Chattanooga farm
today. The Cubans still are far
from big league standard, but Lang
ley can hit and field well now. An
other season in Glass A baseball
and he should be ready for the main
show.