The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-22
WILL DISCUSS THE RULE
NATIONAL LEAGUE WILL HARDLY
ABROGATE FOUL STRIKE.
Many Players Are ClamOring for Re-
peal of the RuIe-Ban Johnson
Discusses Consolidation.


York next week. 1t is probable that the
foul strike rule will be discussed at this
meeting. The rule was fathered by Edward
Hanlon. and has been in vogue in the Ma
tional and Eastern leagues fer three sea-
sons. and last summer was adopted by the
American League. When the rule was first
put In force there were many objections to
it, especially by players who invariably hit
toward left field. The rule was made for the
purpose of preventing players like Keller.
Burkett ard Thomas. the three most expert
batsmen in baseball. from deliberately foul
ing a ball so as TO wear out and worry
pitcher and at the same time delay the
game AS the season wore on batsmen who
were not adept at purposely fouling acct
dentally fouied balls, and thus had tneir
chances of making a fair hit spoiled and
they joined in the cry against the rule.
Hanlon successfully fought in favor of the
rule at two regular National League meet
ings which followed. but now. after one
years trial in the American League the
players who had jumped from the National
League to that league ano failed to live up
to their batting standard raised a cry
against the rule. and the magnates Of that
organization are inclined to listen to their
appeals for a return to the old rule. Keller.
who In the National League, even under
the foul strike rule, batted around .345.
wants the rule changed. as his average was
only 1926. Larry Lajoie Is another player
who objects to the new rule. In 1902, under
the old rule, he batted with percentage Of
1853. and his percentage this year. under the
new rule, was .344 Lajoie was Ill at the be-
ginning of the season and did not bat up to
his standard. Hans Wagner, of the Pitts
burgs. says he has no objections to the foul
strike rule. In nearly every instance where
a player in the American League played
under the old rule in 1902, and in the same
league this year under the new rule, his
batting has fallen off. especially among the
800 hitters, from 30 to IS points. 1t is nat
ural for player who is star batsman and
whose batting average has been cut by
rule not to his liking to raise an objection,
but among the majority Of players, espe-
cialiy among the pitchers and catchers, IT
Is the opinion that the new rule has worked
satisfactorily to all. Hanlon declares that
the rule favors no individual player. with
possibly the exception OF the pitcher, and
as much OF the success OF a team depends
on this individuals work, he is in favor of
giving him the benefit of sharing the most
OF the glory. Hanlon says the rule is here
TO stay. and though few disgruntled ones
who have failed TO make good" with the
stick are crying against 1t they will eventu-
ally become reconciled to the fact that there
Is luck In baseball, and next season these
players who are the biggest kickers may
bat above their mark.
The Sporting Life has the following to say
editoriaIly on the foul strike rule:
The American League. after one seasons
trial Of the foul strike rule, has found that
rule destructive to batting. base running
and team work at bat, and unpopular with
Its patrons and all Of its players except, of
course, the pitchers. The consensus of opin-
ion Is that 1t ought to be abandoned With
the American League a unit against the
rule and the National League divided In
sentiment, IL ought to be possible to secure
the peaceable RELOCATION to limbo OF rule
which serves no purpose except to fatten
pitchers strike-out and shut-out records
The foul strike rule was from its inception,
special measure by far too extreme for
the single purpose I'm view, and was, there
fore bound to fail The application of such
q drastic rule for the simple. purpose of ex-
peditfng the game was precisely like using
sledge hammer to kill an ant.
President Ban Johnson, Of the American
League. has touched upon recent rumors
regarding secret efforts for the consolidation
OF the two major leagues into a new twelve
club league monopoly. Mr.. Johnson unhesi-
tatingly declared that he was opposed to
any consolidation. and that he would do
everything in his power to thwart all such
schemes. 1t Is his firm belief that one
league monopoly Is baneful and self-de-
structive. and that II can never be made
permanently seif-sustaining. On this point
President johnson said:
'"The public is now educated I'D to the
idea or two leagues, and a merger could not
be successfully effected. Two leagues can
i've and thrive; 1t would be foolhardy to re-
IL would be cumberous and unwieldy, and
snow up too many tailenders We have
proved that there is room for two big
leagues in this country The way I'm which
the fans responded TO the post-season series
further Proved that the natural rivalry pro-
sport. Nothing could have done more good
than the Pittsburg- Boston series / was
pleased that Boston won, but / should have
insisted ON the series. even had 1 known
that Boston would lose. 1t was a public de-
mand that could not be dsregarded.
The formation of one eight-club league
would simply mean the rising up of another
and hostile organization within a single sea-
son. There was time when a twelve-club
circuit took in all the good baseball cities
snd a rev more, put the times are chang
monopolze the good cities OF the present
time In fact with the circuit reduced 10
Twelve ciups IL would mean two clubs in at
least two cities, New York and philadelphia
making ten cities In the major league This
would leave such cities as washington
Baltimore, Newark, Jersey City Buffalo
Toronto. Louisville and indianapolis 10 form
a new circuit with and il would be Only a
short tine before there was renewed trouble
over some ballplayer. and the baseball con-
dtions disturbed once more. While the
American and National leagues work to-
gether rothing can weaken their position
with the baseball public IN the large cities
Split up into one twelve-club league they
would not be in a position To control the sit
uatlOn.
Both the American and National leagues
have Jared well this season, and the outlook
for next year Is even more bright | will go
on recor1 with a prediction like that. The
two clubs can live In city. Heretofore the
fancy salaries and war conditions made II
impossible to fairly test the proposition"
Next year the National League will start
the season in a bette condition than for
years past, and there will be entire unity OF
action The special committee has cleared
UP certain matters pending before that
body. includ. q the question of the National
Leagues liability for the rental of Manhat-
tan field, the New York clubs failure ia
pay the per cent. assessment in 1900 and
1901 and claims OF the ST. Louis and Brook
lyn clubs The National League will pay the
New York club the difference between tho
rental OF Manhattan field and the receipts
for football games played on either that
field or the Polo grounds. the payment 10 be
made on the per cent. basis. The debt this
year promises 10 be very small. for AZ Is be-