Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
Leading Topic in League Base Ball
Circles.
PRESIDENT YOUNG N,HIS new OFFICE
Discussing the Abolition Of the
Bunt Sacrifice.
GOSSIP OF THE NE

The biggest thing developed in base ball
during the past week has been the boom
given to Sunday ball playing by the back
ers Of one or more of the eastern clubs
that have always been outside the breast-
works on this question. According to I'M
doubted authority the Sunday base ball
question has become the most important
matter now under consideration by the
magnates of the National League. While
it did not receive public consideration at
the present league meeting in Philadelphia,
it is known that the problem was universal
ly discussed in quiet corners and at secret
conferences.
The most marked development in this line
has come from New York Heretofore
President Freedman has been coupled with
the big four of the league and the Sunday
question to them has been like red flag
TO mad bull. Then came Chicago's deser-
ton and falling into the ranks of the Sum
day playing clubs. Pittsburg was then
taken into the big four, but this spring
President Kerr of that club resigned the
presidency and Manager Watkins was
placed in supreme charge of the Pirates
Every base ball writer outside of Pitts
burg recognized the fact that this move
was made for the object of playing ball on
SUNDAY Srn io but for nth the eomns season away
knows but what Sunday ball will catch on
in the smoky city itself?
Last year the Cleveland MANAGEMENT
made game fight for the privilege
of playing Sunday ball, and. after con-
siderable trouble and expenditure Of
money, victory perched on the banners of
the Cleveland club Next season this club
VIII move into the ranks of regular Sunday
ball playing clubs. Now comes the agita-
tion of the question in New York, and from
all the surface Indications the Giants will
also fall into line. and the once big four
will. therefore. dwindle down to two the
Boston and Philadelphia clubs, and there
Is no counting on the latter, as even the
Quakers have been tipped off as looking
favorably on different policy in the ma
uonal game.
When the New York legislature meets
next month a bill will he presented by one
OF the representatives from Rochester legal
izinE base ball playing on Sunday in the
empire state. But the local patrons of each
club are the ones to be dealt with, and
for this reason, no doubt. the agitation
has been started in New York city. No
matter what the state legislature may do
with a Sunday BILL if 1t is demonstrated
that the general public will tolerate the
game in New York on the first day of the
week. 1t is a certainty that the games will
be played. 1t is a known fact that Richard
Croker is very heavy stakeholder in the
New York club. and with this backing a
sort of arrangement could be made with
the police similar to that In force in Cln-
cinnau " hen the Sunday League was fig hi
ing base ball-that is, have the players ar
rested after every game and fined accord
ing to the law This fine would be noininai
and paid by the club owners. AS to the
financial results from the games in New
York there can be no guessing. An after
Moons amusement for 30 cents will gather
at the Polo grounds not less than 20. ga1
spectators every Sunday games are sched-
uled. Millionaire Coogar, the owner of the
Polo grounds. has given it out that he is in
favor of Sunday games. and now President
Freedman of the club comes forward with
the statement that. should it be demon
strated to his satisfaction that his patrons
want Sunday ball, he will do all he can to
remove the obstacles thereto. With Tam
man. rule in New York there is no gain
saying the fact that the outlook for Sun
day ball in that city is very rosy.
The principal question to the base ball
magnstes themselves Is whether the big
eastern clubs will play Sunday ball in the
west. This viii he the entering wedge and
Sunday games in the east will be looked
after later. But from the outlook ii APP
pears as though the agitation of this uues-
ton has gone beyond the bounds laid down
by the maCDates and that their fondest
hopes may be realized in placing New York
city In the ranks with the clubs playing
Sunday ball. Which all goes to show that
the prophet who predicted that New York
city will be wide OPEN after the first of
the year will have another feather in his
cap.
The abolition OF the hunt sacrifice as adj
vocated by Maenate Earle Wagner and
Captain Tom Brown. has been discussed
In all the sporting papers of the country
during The past week. and with few ex-
ceptons the idea is favorably commented
Upon to the extend of a seasons trial at
least. Taking out the bunt sacrifice would
certainly result in sharper. cleaner hit
ting. and consequently more brilliant field
ing. Miraculous stops, amazing catches
and lightning double plays would be more
| in evidence than they are at present. and
shorter. snapper games will invariably
follow. Tie average contest of the past
few years has been dragged out from
fifteen to thirty minutes beyond a reasona-
bic limit on account of the bunt.
Then again with the bunt out of the game
great burden OF anxiety would be lifted
from the pitchers shoulders. who already
plays about two-tnirds of the game, and
who is compelled to handle majority of
these infantile taps. The actual heavy
batsmen would take their proper places in
the. average column. The player with a
clear eye, keen judgment and powerful
swing should rank above the one who de-
Ponds chiefly upon his fast legs, unlimited
patience and ability to dump the ball a few
yards in front of the plate. The response
bility OF batting in runs would then be
equally divided. At present with men on
first and second and no one out, the third
batsman just meets the ball, is thrown
out in advancing the runners, and walks
cheePfully to the bench amid the applause
of the SPECTATORS. He is crediterd with a
sacrifice hit and time at the bat is not
charged against him. The next man up
Is supposed to smash out the ball for a
safe hit and bring in the runs A groan of
disappointment issues from the spectators
II he fails to connect. Why not avoid this
difference in opportunity. The abolition
of the bunt would remove the only cut-and-
dry feature of the game rs it now stands
ana make every moment as 1t should be.
one of blissful uncertainty. Admirers of
the ultra-scientific in base ball would Deep
ly deplore the naturalization Of the bunt
system. but large portion Of the most
intense. fanatics would joyfully welcome
this mild revolution in the offensive de-
partment of the game.
x *ih* 4
President N. E. Young moved into as
pretty suite Of rooms at 1417 G street
northwest last Wednesday as any one could
| desire. They are situated on the fifth floor
newly and tastefully 5papeFed and painted
| in light blue with dark trimmings, the
floor being covered with rich rugs of the
! same colorings. The, furniture is Of the
old oak pattern, massive and strong, but
withal extremely tasteful, and the suite has
a comfortable and welcoming look that can
| not help but be attractive to the presidents
legion of friends. Robert Young, the presi-