Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-06

VERO BEACH, Fla, Mar. 6
P.-Gil Hodges has set about
TO build up his home-run pro-
duction with the Brooklyn Dodg-
ers by reverting to the closed
batting stance he used in 1858
and 1854. He went over 800 for
the first time (.302) in '53, and
poled AZ homers and batted .304
in "a.
Last year he dropped to .289
and hit only ~ home runs, his
lowest total since 1949.
No one but Hodges. apparently,
was disturbed by his slump"
But. Gil says, They pay me off
on home runs"
ST. PETERSBURG. Fla, Mar.
6 (P.-The New York Yankees
officially open their search for a
shortstop in a squad game today
with Gil McDougald the hottest
contender among the 10 entries.
McDougald, who has long ex-
perience at both second and
third for the Yanks, is happy
about the possible change.
Il played IL games at short
in our trip to the Orient last
fall and I liked it," he said.
Manager Casey Stengel's prob
lem is to find someone who can
take over for veteran Phil Riz-
zuto and weak-hitting Billy
Hunter. The other seven candi-
dates are Gerry Coleman, Tom
Carroll, Woody Held, Jerry
Lumpe, Billy Martin, Bob Rich
ardson and Tony Kubek.
LAKELAND, Fla, Mar. 6 (P.-
When the Detroit Tigers open
their spring exhibition schedule
Saturday against the Senators,
bonus player Jim Small will be
at first base, Rockies Buddy
Hicks at second base and j. w.
Porter, a converted infielder-out-
fielder, behind the plate.
Small was called from the
outf1eld to first base yesterday.
Manager Bucky Harris said the
switch was strictly an expert
ment" to find where the 19-year-
old would fit best.
SARASOTA, Fla, Mar. 6 (P).-
Manager Mike Higgins says Ted
Williams will go to Miami for
the Red Sox first exhibition game
Saturday with the Brooklyn
Dodgers.
The Red Sox play the Dodgers
Saturday night and Sunday
afternoon. Williams will not start
but will see action as a pinch
hitter. Then Ted will return here
instead of proceeding to West
Palm Beach, where the Red Sox
will face Kansas City.
TAMPA, Fla, Mar. 6 (P.-A
couple of 21-year-olds. not even
listed on the Chicago White Sox
roster, might become familiar
figures at Comiskey Park this
year.
"As of now I'm considering
them a part of our ball club, 3"
Manager Marty Marion said of
Outf1elder Jim Lands and
Catcher John (Honey) Romano.
Romano has been real stand
out in seven camp games with
a $50 batting average, two hon.
ers and three doubles. His big
problem has been shedding
weight and fighting a lame leg,
a sore arm and shin splints.
Lands has been impressive,
although he's been hampered by
a pulled leg muscle. HE can
throw, run, field and he looks
like a natural at the plate, "
Marion said.
TUCSON, AriZ., Mar. 6 (P).-
First Baseman Vic Wertz, given
permission to report late to the
Cleveland Indians camp. was due
to arrive today. However, Second
Baseman Bobby Avila remains
a holdout.
BRADENTON, Fla, Mar. 6 (P).
First Basemen George Grove
came to terms with the Milwau-
kee Braves yesterday and the
club now has no holdouts. Grove,
who hit ..28l in 104 games last
year, is due to report today
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Mar. 6
(P). - Regular pitchers today
start getting more action in
squad games at the Baltimore
Orioles camp.
Skinny Brown makes his first
appearance today when Coach
Lum Harris Hares continue their
rivalry with Coach Harry Bre-
cheen's Bobcats. Rockies Don
Ferrarese, Pat Gosney, Dick Fitz-
gerald, Charlie Drummond and
Danny Welsh also will pitch.
The pitching tomorrow will be