Evening star., 1955-06-12
By ROD THOMAS

you might get the impression
that the Senators meager farm
system is not quite the poor
diggings pictured by its critics
"Now, take this fellow" said
Farmer Bluege, indicating the
name of Hal Griggs on the roster
of Chattanooga in the Southern
Association which graces (?) 9
wall of Bluege's sanctum along
with those Of Charlotte in the
South Atlantic League. Hagers-
town In the Piedmont. Rock
Hill in the Tri-State, Orlando
in the Florida State, Erie in the
Pony and Fulton in the Kitty.
"Griggs-with Charlotte last
Iyear?"
Same guy" Bluege said, "won
IA and lost H." His visitor lost
interest. but Bluege's eyes
sparkled.
"At Charlotte" Ossie resumed
I"Griggs fooled around. Now he's
dead serious. Between seasons
his family grew. We had a talk
An independent club in Mime
sofa offered him 81 1000 a month
with a job on the side. I advised
him to stick with organized base
ball, but buckle down. AS oi
today (seyeral days ago) Griggs
has won eight and lost one. He
leads the Southern Association
lin wins and strikeouts."
1t was suggested that Ossit
skip the picked-over bric-a- -brat
lat Chattanooga.
KOrcheck Develops Rapidly
"Well, the club looks as if il
might win the pennant," HI
got in. Anyway, the Lookout'
are leading at the moment, i
might interest you to know thst
Steve Korcheck (from Georgt
Washington U,) is fast becoming
one of the outstanding catcher,
in the league. That boy has {
lot of natural ability, plus hustl,
and great determination, and hi
batting average of 1927 is beyonc
our fondest hopes. At %. he'
a fine prospect"
In Dick Hyde, 26, a right
handed bespectacled, submarin,
pitcher, the Senators may hav'
a crack relief specialist. BluegI
said, with an extra dash o
optimism.
Special qualities are needed
to be a good relief pitcher" h,
said, land Hyde's got 'em. Hi
job for Chattanooga has beer
a little terrific. In "a inning
he's allowed only nine hits ant
three runs, struck out is ant
received credit for four wins"
To hear Farmer Bluege tell 1t
the Charlotte club is loaded will
possibilities.
Terry Likes Clarke
il In the case OF Vibert Clarke
1875, a Panamanian Negro pitcher
Ossie is encouraged by Bill
Terry, the old New York Clan
who is president of the Sail!
League.
"Clarke's a 175-pound string
beam" Bluege said. Hes wol
nine and lost two. After watch
ing him pitch. Terry told m,
Clarke has all it takes to woll
in the majors except a littl'
better curve"
J! Another tall, skinny Hornet
Ralph Groves. has prospec
written all over him. He's %
Just Joined the club. but ha
won three and lost one. Allowet
18 hits in 80 innings. This boy
all business"
| Melvin Kerestes. "a, play
first, second and third base ant
the outf1eld. Has great hand
and is a double-play man. Hi
improvement at bat has beel
amazing. With Rock Hill las
year, in Class B ball, he hit 1908
His average now, in faster com
! pany. is 337. like him."
Jose Valdivielso, 81, from Ha
, vana: Hes hitting only .29s
but they're calling him MI
! IShortstop of the South Atlanti
League"
! Don Padgett, %, first base
, man: Has power and at 81
) is with the league leaders il
; runs batted in."
With Hagerstown:
! Orlando Leroux, "a, from Ha
{ vana. an outfielder: Hes hittin
J 1886 with good measure of ex
! ira bases. A plg boy, righthande,
: all the way. Arm not powerful
] but gets the ball away quickly il