Evening star., 1947-03-13
FerreI| Would Resume
Catching Role; Mats
TackIing Tigers
By Burton Howkins
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT


arrival of Rick Ferrell at the Mats
training camp suddenly has ended
the ambition of Outfielder Joe
Grace to become Washington s
catcher. Coach Ferreu gave Grace
only a lukewarm recommendation
for the job and at the same time
indicated he would be willing to
resume catching himself.
There seems to be an idea among
the Mats that Washington's pitch
ers are throwing bundles Of green
backs across the plate, for twice in
two days Clark Griffith has been
confronted with applicants for the
position. Rick takes a different
slant.
Were rid of our knuckleballers
now" says Rick, "at least all ex-
cept Mickey Haefner. Dutch Leon
ard, Roger Wolff and Johnny Mig
Ceiling are gone and those are the
fellows who wear out catchers.
Shucks, I could sit in rocking
chair and catch these other fel-
lows"
Rick, who abandoned his mask
last year for coaching role after
being an outstanding catcher for
years, doesn't vision himself as q
third string catcher operating be-
hind Al Evans and Frank Man
cuso. He's willing to take over the
major burden of the Mats catch
ing chores and sees it as no hard
ship.
: Might Help Pitchers.
"Sure, I'm 40 years Old admits
Rick, but I've always stayed in
good condition and it wouldn't be
too tough. I'm sure could help
some of our younger pitchers, such
as Chick Pieretti, Ray Scarborough
and Sid Hudson. I caught Pieretti
in several swell games in 1945 and
I know how to handle him.
There actually is no trouble
catching such pitchers as Bobo New
som or Scarborough. Newsom
practically pitches his own game
and, to lesser extent, SO does Ray.
I feel could be Of some value in
handling Scarborough a little better,
though, and also help such fellows
as Walter MaSterson and Milo Can
dini."
Ferrell can't become too enthused
over the idea of Grace deserting the
outfield for a catching job and so
informed Grifhth. "It was on my
recommendation that he was sent
to the outfield," says Rick. eve
were together on the st. Louis
Browns in 1941 and Fred Haney,
who was managing the Browns then,
had a suspicion that Grace might
make catcher.
"I watched him for a few games" {"
continued Rick, land I thought he'd
have better chance in the out
field. He might do an acceptable
job behind the plate, but he's bet
ter outfelder.
"He has a sort of a sidearm throw
he'd have to eliminate if he be-
came a catcher and since he's 80,
GillS Is d IdlC ddCC 4Sl 4lll1l W NC
changing his style"
Good Catchers Now Scarce.
While Griffith may be reluctant
to return Ferrell to the active list,
his willingness to resume catching
will strike a responsive note with
the Mats boss. In the event of fur
ther injury to either Evans, who
now is hobbling around on a cane,
or Mancuso. Ferrell could step in
and handle the receiving better than
either.
There is a shortage of good
catchers," says Ferrell. "It wasn't
long ago that the American League
had a swarm of good catchers, but
now most of them are mediocre. I
could sit in rocking chair and
catch as well as some of them"
Ferrell, whose arrival at the Mats
training base was delayed by illness
Of his wife, may receive considera-
ton as catcher. Ancient as ball
players go, Rick nevertheless still is
capable of catching better game
than any receiver on the Mats roster
and any hitting he'd give the Mats
would be welcome, since Evans and
Mancuso are confirmed $50 batters.
The Mats today were to tangle
with the Detroit Tigers here in their
first exhibition game with a major
league foe.