The Washington times., 1895-01-07
Opposition to a Change in the
Present Pitching Rules.
SCHNELz HAD POOR BATTERS
They Suffered Last Season from Inopportune
Hitting-Wagner on the Outlook for New
Dave Foutz Is Here in Attendance at Al
exander Island-T. Daily for First Base

President 1ounR does not advocate any
material changes in the playing rules for the
coming season. He is not a member OF the
committee authorized to consider and report
such changes as may be deemed necessary for
/ the improvement of the game, but he has very
pronounced views on the subject, and he does
/ not hesitate TO express them. There has
been considerable comment, SAYS the Phila-
delphia Press, on the subject from VARIOUS
sources recently, and some of the advocates
/ of giving additional power and influence to
the litchers have put up some very strong ar
( guments III support of their contentious.
1t is observed. however, that the appeals
/ for strengthening the pitching department by
/ removing some of the handicap which th .
| twIrlers have to carry emanates principally
/ from those clubs who are not generally sup
I posed TO be formidable in that branch of the
game. President Young says he does not be-
/ lieye that the restrictions now placed upon
the pitchers are too severe. About per cent.
of the regular patrons of the game may pre-
/ fer to see what used 20 be so frequent in
league eOntests-a pitchers game. The
other 90 per cent. demand n free-hitJing and
a brilliant fielding contest.
4 Last season the Washington club suffered
more from poor fielding ant inopportune hit
! ting than from poor pitching. Mercer
Maai and the other young men who twired
I for Earl Wagner did not appear to be over
we. GIFTED by the pitching rules, but III many
instances they found that the burden OF an
/ infed full OF holes was more tnan they could
overcome. even If they had been allowed to
/ deliver the bali ten feet from the home plate
: Then the Senators were not always handy
with the stick, when Il few safe hits might
have turned a threatened de!eat into prob
able victory. Il is more demoraliZing to Il
pitcher to sea the leading batsmen of his
team try to kuock he bali ''out OF the lot
when the first man up has reached third base
SAFELY. Time and time agG.n last season the
Senators were thrown down because their
batsmen neglected 10 use good judgme 1t
wheE a runner was on rlfrd with no one out.
The pitching rules are nearer right now
than they have beea for many years past. 1t
vas all very we'll for a.iew OF the sta twir!ers
OF the League to mnHopolze all the glory Of n
baseball game. while the othe7 tight memt ers
of the team stood around and tossed pebbles
out OF Their path or chatted with persons on
the seats in order to keep awake. while the
pitcher and catcher were doing the rest.
Under the existing rules almost every member
OF ii team has an on ortuulIy to distinguish
himself either at the lat or IN the field and
The pitcher, W tn few exceptions, takes his
chances with his comrades.
Earl WAGNER has oGt his loag-distanre spy
glass. and lie is searching the baseball hori-
zon ior II iirsi-class change catcher TO assist
Jim Mcclure in his q ternoop receptions be-
hind the, bat Last W; ek the president of the
Jeague was obliged to report adversely upon
Washington's ,lajm TO Bergin. the shifty
young maa who tried to work two clubs for
advance money. Unter the rules the Wash
ingtons could not Justify their deal with Ber-
gin. SO he was remaaded back to the New
England League, from whence he came. 1t
is perhaps well that he did Lot come TO Wash
ington for. unless he could come with clean
hauds he would be OF little value.
Dave Foutz. the loEg-iegged first laseman.
who captains and manages the Brooklyn
club, is spending the winter here. Dave is
interested in the rat es being run across the
river. and from his personal appearance he is
picking a good many winners. He says he is
taking good care OF himself, an lie expects
to te in good form 10 resume his oil position
under Mr. Byrne when the season opens. BE
declines to discuss the recent rgporis abou:
the financial condition OF the Brooklyn club.
He contends thai Meesrs. Abel and the other
qualified TO adjust whatever difference exists
without any Interference on his part.
Tom Daily. OF the Brooklyn club, would
like to play first tase for Washington ii the
Broyklyn club gives him his congo. He was
never II better shape than when playing at
the Capital. and thinks that he would lit il
nicely with Scnmelz's boys.