, 1879-02-23

About the only matter Of any consequence il
BASEBALL circles during the past week was the
meeting Of the 1nternationa. Association al
Utica 0Ting to the contest which has been in
progress for some time between the Syracuse
and Buffalo Clubs in regard to the champion
ship, 1t vas expected that 4 lively discussion
would cnsue, and those who held this view were
not disappointed. The whole question ap-
parentiy rested on the view that should be
taken by the Judiciary Committee regarding
the game between the Syracuse aud Rochester
Clubs played Sept. Il. Iu the argument before
the Committee, counsel for the Buffalo Club
contcuded that this game should not be counted
in making up the championship award, as at the
time it was played the Rochesters were virtually
in disbandcd condition; in other words, that
tlie'5atnc was 'put up ,in' order to increase the
chances Of the Stars for the championship. It
would seem from the Committees report thct
they did SO regard this game, as in their report
the pennant was awarded to Duffalo. To the
surprise Of everybody, however, the Convention
declined to concur in the finding, md voted to
award the championship to the Uticas. On the
ground that By joining the League both the Buf-
falos and Stars had forfeited oil claim to the
emblem. This idiotic piece of legislation was
promptly rescindcd Thursday morning, aud
Buffalo given first place, Syracuse second, and
Utica third.
-Devlin was on hand with his petition for re-
instatement, and made pitcous personal ap-
peal to the judiciary Committee, but without
effect, and his chances OF again entering the ball
field as player may now be considered forever
settled.
In its closing hours the Convention elected
to the Presidency Mr. L. J. Powers, OF spriug-
fall H1r f1~s = - Hat,f~ }1.nb
den Driving Park Association OF that city. He
will, Of course, be merely fgurc-hcad, but BY
reason Of his wealth and personal popularity
will bring strength to the Association.
In regard to scoring, q strong effort was made
to abolish the error column, but without sue
cess. A column showing the sacrifice hits made
by players will be added to the score, and q
ball somewhat livelfer than the one adopted by
the League be used.
ABOUT scoR1SG.
Efforts are being made BY several parties to
hntc the League make some alterations in the
present system OF scoring. That any cbanEee
are necessary is a matter OF doubt, but still, il
the League wishes to experiment in the matter
OF scoring, it will have plenty Of opportunity to
experiment during the coming season on the va
rions Echemcs that are being advocated by their
orjginators II my Of these systems we're ADOPT
ed it does not appear that such action wuuld in
any way effect the present methods OF scoring in
use By the newspapers, aud until they agree on
some common plan the action OF the League In
the n1ntter will amount to nothing SO Tar as the
pubic is concerned. OF course when Secretary
Young made up the official averages at the end
Of the year, they might differ slightly from those
which had been published by the newspapers
several months before, and upon that point
alone would there lie any chaucc OF disagree
meut- The public looks to the newspapers for
is no way that the League can impress its pecu-
liar ideas regarding this feature OF the game
upon that public, unless indeed it purchases the
leading dally papers in every large city
in the country. In Chicago there are
At east t. two different ssStssr OF ssorn$ Ing
its ideas as to how game should be recorded,
aud will continue to use the same form OF score
sheet that it has in the past unless some palpa-
bic Improvement should be made.
The Syracuse Courier has recently been giving
attention to the subject Of scoring,
and hiss formulated its ideas in the following
First of all, let the error column be abolished
from the score. In its place establish column,
es fsi s ea9a saun MH sha Be-
corded to the credit Of the batsman the made
By the opposing side of his turn at the Dat, and
around the hascs, In order to show his exact
the writer says: ''Suppose the Stars en-
gagged In canc against the Bntfaios.. Dorean goes
short 50 sharply that the latter cannot bundle it IN
lmc 10 throw Dorgan out at at4t base. Instead OF
charging Force with an error, Dorgnn is credited
with = resulting error. On the theory that his
stroke was so fo1cihlc that it was beyond the ca
oaclty Of even so good fielder as Force TO accom-
oEish perfect play off of it. So II Doraan is adj
RANGED base through passed bail, q wild pitch,
or high throw. credit It to him in the resulting
error' column"
The Courier argues in effect that desirable re-
suits would be attained hy aholishing the error
:ofumn, on the ground that it is the fear Of !
,eing charged With errors that prevents PLAYERS
rom attempting to catch difficult flies or try to
leld balls which can only be safely handled by !
more than tho usual amount Of good luck. To |
support this argument, it cites the case Of Far |
ell, an unusually actire anu efficient SECOND |
vino, By the record, stands sixth, and !
leelares that such position is no index OF his |
bility. The shirkers. it says, derive comfort
rom the error column. and the har,]-wurking |
players never get their dues.
These ideas have been giyen here, not because |
ruE TRIBUNE entirely approves Of them, but |
'ecausc suggestions OF all kfnds that are made
d good faith By sensible writers should |
e read by all who are interested In
he subject Of which they treat, and
pportuuity for discussion allowed. To base
all men in Chicago the present system Of scoring