Evening star., 1903-12-15
The Playing Season.

The lengthening of the schedule by tn,
National League will not be met by tn.
Americans, as President Johnson Is fully
aware that the seasons games in the pas
were plenty, and unless team Is battling
for one of the top positions there Is little
interest displayed in the fall contests The
patrons tire somewhat Of the old faces and
even games with the minor leagues are
preferable to rehash of the ones they
have been witnessing all season. For in
stance, should the Baltimore club capture
the Eastern League pennant a series OF
games In the fall between the Washingtons
and Orioles would be crowded with interest
The Philadelphia Inquirer sent out letters oi
inquiry for opinions on the Iengthening OF
the season to different people connected with
American League clubs. and the following
from the pen Of Attorney Wilton ]. Lam
bert is most interesting.
Mr.. Lambert's View.
Mr.. Lambert said:
1.-THE action Of the National Base Ball
League in prolonging their playing sea-
son. thus making impossible the post
season games between the two big
leagues. was palpably an admission that
the American Leagues clubs, as was con-
clustvely shown in the past few months.
are the strongest and are thus entitled to
be viewed as such by the public. In nearly
every series when the teams of both as
sociations met the American clubs came
out victorious, notably In the Boston
Pittsburg series.
I'm trying to maintain its prestige as
the major association the National League
admits its artistic weakness when 1t de-
clines to meet the American. From a
business point Of view there is more pat
ronage at the end of the season in these
post-season games than in regular games.
but the result would be disastrous to the
National League when the public was
asked during the summer for it's support.
They would flock to the American grounds
because they knew that the superior ar
ticle to be bought was for sale at the
American League parks. The move of
their secret purpose. but it is plain to
close observers of the national game.
The Foul Strike Rule.
AS to the foul strike rule, there is little
doubt that It will be shelved and the old
regime of making the umpire decide
whether a player is fouling the ball off OH
purpose be adopted.
In speaking of this rule to Star man re-
Gently President johnson said that he was
positive that big majority of the patrons
wanted 1t abolished. as it had taken con-
siderable life out of the game and certainly
killed off fully dozen first-class battsrs
last season. Mr.. Johnson figured that the
Washington, ST. Louis, New York and Ath-
letic clubs suffered fearfully In financial
way on account Of the foul strike rule. and,
Of course, collectively, the American
League also suffered. AS the American
LIE; que has demonstrated it's superiority to
the National League, there Is no reason
why 1t should not go along as 1t pleases in
the matter Of playing rules and by adding
additional batting to the games there Is
hardly doubt but that the lovers of the
national sport will be pleased.
There Is only one small poini In favor OF
the retention of the obnoxious rule. and
that is that the Washington club was COM
pletely demoralized over 1t last year, and
this season. with new players. 1t may be
benefited. but this IL far-away contin-
gency. The Washington patrons like to
see hitting, no matter whether 1t Is done
| by the visiting or home club.