Training Camp — March 28, 1952

Beavers Send Pries, Martin to Tyees;
Twenty Players at Salinas Camp
By JIM TANG [Colonist, March 29, 1952]
SALINAS, March 28—Although too early to judge the quality, Victoria Tyees at least have quantity. Going through their seventh workout since the preliminary camp for rookies and batterymen opened last Saturday, the Tyees had 20 players in addition to manager Cece Garriott in uniform today and there will be at least four more tomorrow.
En route from the Portland training camp at Riverside and expected to be on hand for tomorrow’s workout are catcher Milt Martin, third baseman Don Pries, outfielder Jim Gladstone and first baseman Dick Bartle.
MAY HAVE BATTLE
Pries, who will be remembered for his hustling play last season, will undoubtedly take over his old third base position although there are indications that rookie Bob Domergue may give him a battle. Gladstone, who spent of last season at Portland, is an outfielder but will be given a trial at shortstop. But wherever he plays he is certain to be with the club for the season and will be one of the four colored players that it is planned to carry. Martin has the edge in experience over the two catchers now in camp and has a good chance of sticking. Bartle will have to win a berth,
Joining the club Thursday were outfielders Ernie Sites and Bob Monez. Sites was signed earlier as a free agent, while Monez, who once played for Yakima, played with Garriott at Visalia last season. Luther Branham, experienced colored second baseman who will almost certainly make the club, checked in Wednesday and brought with him George Randolph, huge colored righthander from Louisiana. George Dargel, a young outfielder from Los Angeles, also checked in Wednesday for a tryout. He played in the Southwest International League last season. More players are expected from Portland before the Tyees break camp on April 15. With news that catcher Jimmy Gladd has been relesed from the U.S. army came the expectation that Lilio Marcucci would be sent back to Victoria to take over as first-string catcher. Hopes are high, too, that Vic Buccola will be sent along to take over at first base, where Bartle has the bag to himself at the moment unless Pries is shifted back to his old position and Domergue left in charge of third. Pitching help is also due from the Beavers.
Nothing has been heard from southpaw Jim Hedgecock who lives only 80 miles from camp but has given no indication of his plans. He has been notified to report and the management feels that next move is up to him.
Gene Thompson won’t be back and there is little likelihood that Bill White will rejoin the club. There is, however, still a possibility that Jimmy Clark will be back. The little shortstop has not signed with another club as yet and reportedly wants to play only in Victoria.
NEED PITCHING
Counting the four players on their way from Riverside and including Gladstone with the infielders, the Tyees have three catchers, six outfielders, seven infielders, and nine pitchers in camp. Biggest needs at the moment are some lefthanded hitters and some righthanded pitchers. Shortstop and first base are the infield positions most likely to need filling, there is need of a first-string catcher, and about four pitchers. Of course, Marcucci and Buccola will settle whatever problems there are behind the plate and at first base. Gladstone could fill the bill at the shortpatch, and some of the pitchers in camp might well prove to have W.I.L. ability. At this early stage, Don Troy, colored righthander, and Ignacio Villarreul, stocky Mexican, appear to have the most promise.

Caps’ Pitching Likely Weak, Says Schuster
VANCOUVER, March 28—Bill Schuster, manager of the Vancouver Capilanos of the Western International Baseball League, arrived tonight with the sombre word that he expects his pitching to be weaker this year than last.
The Caps will open a three-week training camp at Penticton Wednesday. Schuster arrived from Palm Springs, Calif., where he attended the training camp of the Seattle Rainiers of the Coast League.
With Schuster were a new pitcher, righthander Len Chenard, and a new infielder, Martin Isham. Schuster said he expects the following, among others, at training camp: infielders Chuck Abernathy, Reno Cheso, Ray Tran and Jim Wert, and outfielders Edo Vanni, Bob Durretto and Joe Skalise [sic]. Jim Moore and Bob McGuire will join the team later.