Evening star., 1945-03-23
Pilot Banking Heavily
On Binks and ChippIe
To Round Out Trio
BY JOHN b. KELLER.


Stan Spence around this year, Man
ager Os Bluege today settled to the
task of rounding out a Nat outfleld
that will feature speehand defensive
ability more than smashing attack.
With Walter Chipple, draftee from
Montreal, finally at the College Park
camp, Bluege has at his command
five experienced gardeners and three
others with enough skill to deserve
consideration. However, most of
the group reported at the University
of Maryland field so late a regular
outfield combination probably won't
be selected until after the Mats finish
their week of exhibition play at the
Norfolk Naval Training Station
early next month.
George Case, veteran gardener
and through five successive seasons
prior to 1914 basestealing champion
Of the American League, will be
kingpin Of the regular trio-if the
left shoulder he had doctored dur
ing the winter proves to be normal.
1t still annoys him, but the soreness
following practice becomes less
daily, George says, so the arm may
be sound again by the time the
championship campaign starts next
month.
Other Choices Experimental.
In recent batting drills, Case
hasn't been favoring the left arm
and as result has been polling the
ball as he did In his early years with
the Mats. He maintained healthy
average at the plate up to last year
when his slump to .249 played no
small part in the fall of the Wash
ington club to last place in the
league race.
Any choices back of Case must be
largely experimental Jake Powell
has a good big-league background,
but Jake is getting along in years
as ballplayers 60 and it doesn't look
as though he could be called on for
steady service. Jake, though, while
not consistent hitter comes
through with a real punch occa-
sionally that could help
Bluege is banking heavily on
George Binks, big boy bought from
Milwaukee last season, and Chipple
Binks must have something to have
hit .374 in 100 games with Milwau-
kee last year and he has been field
ing well in practice. He doesn't lack
an arm. either. Chipple, just arrived
yesterday, comes we'll recommended.
but has yet to prove himself.
Some Chance for Zardon.
Jose Zardon, who was tried at
College Park last season and found
too green, had a good year at the
Wluiamsbort farm, but there's still
considerable doubt about his ability
at the plate. Zardon can field and
he can throw. Also he has plenty
OF foot. His work on the bases with
Williamsport was enough to prove
his speed. But Jose will need more
than speed to catch on with the
Mats regularly.
OF the others in the outfield test,
Jim Langley, brought up as a first
baseman, appears to be best. Jim
can go and get 'em in the pasture, is
able to throw and looks ANYTHING
but weak at bat. Joe Redondo, up
from Cuba, is one of the good field,
no hit" islanders, apparently, and
the same goes for Augustine Della
vile. But this Delaville certainly
can throw for little fellow.
Other than Case and perhaps
Binks, 1t is not much of a squad
from which to choose a major league
outf1eld. But in these days maybe
the Mats are fortunate to have as
much. 1t certainly would help.
though, if Spence could swing that
potent bat OF his for the club again.
Pitcher Leopold Reports.
There was little outdoor activity
at the Mats camp yesterday. After
few spins around the running
track and some pepper drilling, the
club went in out of the rain to
timber arms in workout in Ritchie
Coliseum, Paul Leopold, a left
handed pitcher out of the Navy,
joined the squad. He has had some
minor league experience.
Ntiuiihy Mdi I'LL, b CdGCQeF VINO
worked out with the Mats in st.
Louis last year, was due at camp
today. He is protege of Pitcher
Dutch Leonard. Whether the Mats
will sign 1t. Bert Shepard, one
legged war vet who has drilled with
them several times, will be deter
mined within the next 10 days. He
could well be taken on as batting
practice pitcher, 1t seems.
Luis Aloma, promising Cuban
pitcher, and AL Rossi will get trials
tomorrow as the Mats open q long
exhibition schedule against the
Coast Guard at Curtis Bay. A
change in the schedule moves the
game listed with the Boston Braves
at Georgetown University from
Thursday to Wednesday of next
week.
Vvssnnnn,, E-~.> r..