Training Camp — March 29, 1951

Hard Workouts No Deterrent to Ambitious Tyee Rookies
By JIM TANG [March 30, 1951]
SALINAS, Calif., March 29—Cece Garriott, new manager of the Victoria Tyees, is a great believer in hard work and hustle. Just ask any of the 20 odd players who are trying to make his club.
There is nothing lackadaisical about Garriott’s lengthy daily workouts. Players report on the field in uniform at 11 a.m. Three or three and a half hours later they sort of mosey into the clubhouse for their lunch and no one seems to have enough energy left to hurry through a shower and try and find something else to do. It’s all baseball here and the players not only know it, they seem to like it.
DIFFERENT TYPE
This is a different type of camp than has been the case for the previous two springs. The average age of the players on hand is 23 and worldly-wise and don’t care veterans to whom baseball was often only a means to another end are conspicuous by their absence. While no one can yet assess the mount of baseball potential in camp it isn’t hard to notice the ambition. These youngsters not only like to play baseball but they are willing to work at it. If they weren’t they wouldn’t be here.
Garriott is no Rogers Hornsby but he demands eagerness and team spirit and it is no coincidence that the standard of behavior is conspicuously better than it has been since the working agreement with the New York Yankees was terminated.
Effects of Garriott’s strenuous training are evident. After eight workouts most players appear to be in condition to start the season although there has been little hitting against advanced pitching. However, pitchers on hand are ready for five or more innings and the club is set for a lengthy exhibition schedule which should have it ready for the league opener. A great believer in competition as they best way to prepare a club, Garriott hopes to work in 15 or more games between now and April 22.
STARTING LINE-UP
First of these games will be played tomorrow with the Salinas Brownies furnishing the opposition. Garriott has named Ben Lorino, Don Troy and John Valerie to do the pitching. He will use Harvey Allen, Rufus Johnson and George Dargel in the outfield, Ernie Sites at first base, Cliff Prelow at second, Bob Domergue at third, Bill Barron at shortstop and either Joe Yanchuk or Malsoe Bryant behind the plate. Dick Kemper, one-time catching star at Tacoma, who is in the sporting goods busiess here, will be in the outfield for the Brownies.
Other games lined up for the Tyees include tentative home-and-home series with the powerful Fort Ord team on April 4 and 7, two games at Stockton April 5 an 6, Santa Cruz at Salinas April 8, Monterey April 9 and 11, San Jose April 10 and 12, and Salinas April 13 and 14. The club breaks camp on April 15 and will stop off at Redding for four games, two against Pocatello of the Pioneer League April 15 and 16, an unnamed club on April 17 and Salem on April 19. Then it’s Yakima and the W.I.L. opener on April 22.
DIAMOND DUST—Trainer Ron Martin, business manager Reg Patterson, Johnson, Garriott and Sites have all had a battle with the flu but all are on the mend. Jim Propst is again the hardest worker in camp, apparently unable to get in enough work. The pony southpaw is on the field first and is always the last to leave although there is no sign of excess weight . . . Lorino, the other holdover southpaw in camp, reported heavier and seems set for a big season. He is extremely proud of the fact that his is to become a father for the first time later in the year . . . Barron, rookie infielder, was the unfortunate victim of car prowlers last night, losing about $400 worth of clothing and other personal effects when thieves broke into his parked car. Jim Propst’s car was also rifled but he had his belongings in his room and lost little of value . . . Weather has been good but prevailing cold winds are probably responsible for the flu bugs. Garriott plans to play regularly in centre field and has reserved the third spot in the batting order for himself. From his form in batting practice he will worry a lot of pitchers this season. He clouts for distance from either side of the plate and can lay down a neat bunt—and he can still get over ground in a hurry.