Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-20
THREE BALLS FAVORED
Schafey Best Base Runner in the
Pacific Coast League.
STOLE sEvENTY-sEvEN BASES
Good Racing at New Orleans - Big
Golf Tourney at Pinehurst-
Two Hot Fights.

There Is little doubt but that the Ameri-
can League will take some decided steps
toward changing the playing rules before
the opening of next season. President
Johnson's announcement from New York
last Thursday that he had appointed Clarke
Griffith, Connie Mack and Tom c. Noyes a
rules committee to confer with a like body
from the National League shows unmistak-
able evidence that there will be something
doing in the way OF improving the batting
In the American League.
Messrs. Griffith, Mack and Noyes have all
expressed the opinion that something should
be done to benefit the batting in the Amer
lean League, and the only point at issue
is the antagonism of the National League.
Somehow the idea has gone abroad that the
same set OF rules must govern both BODIES
but 1t is more than likely that this belief
will be shattered when the committees OF
both organizations meet in JOINT session.
The National League, with its weak col
lection Of twirlers. naturally wishes the
rules to stand they are, as 1t makes the
Americans look like a minor organization
in the batting line. The American League
on the other hand, wants more batting, and
II is a "cinch" bet that If change IN the
rules can bring 1t about the bali will be
banged more frequently next season in the
younger organization.
AT the recent meeting of the American
League in Chicago informal talk on the
playing rules was had and several suggeS-
tons as to handicapping the pitchers were
presented 1t seemed to be recognized that
ii would never do to abolish the foul strike
rule, as the followers of the game have be-
come used to 1t, and to rescind the order or
things would be a step backward. The
numerous suggestions of marking off lines
from first and third base, and not calling
strike for hard-hit fouls. would be too COM
plicated and add to the already heavy bur-
denS of the umpires.
During the Chicago meeting President
Noyes of the " ashington club suggested
that an equal division be made between the
pitchers and batters in the matters OF balls
and strikes, each being allowed three in
stead of three and four as now. This rule
Of three balls woulo prevent the pitchers
wasting a ball to fool the batter. and he
would have to get the sphere over the plate
all the time. The knowledge of this would
give the batters greater confidence, and more
hits would naturally follow. There would
also be more bases on balls, which would
enliven the game. as there ds nothing more
exhilarating and exciting than good base
running. Fully 90 per cent of the pitchers
of the American League have splendid con-
troll, and for this reason the loss of one
ball would not hurt them very much, out
side of the fact that ball would not be
wasted, and added confidence would be
given the batters.
President Moves was heartily backed up
in his recommendation OF three balls and
three strikes by President Kilfoyle of tine
Cleveland club. and several other magnates
lOoAed with favor on the innovation.
Messrs. Griffith and Mack have not yet ex-
pressed themselves as to the Noyes sugges-
ton, but as they are both veterans at the
game the chances are they will be quick
to see the ACCESSIBILITY OF at least trying it
for one season.
The one important point Is enat the Amer
lean League committee will insist on re-
vision, as more batting ds demanded, and
the younger organization has reached the
point where it is tired of playing second
fiddle to the parent body.
Washington Officials Sincere.
The executive board of the Washington
Base Ball Club finds itself in a position
tantamount to being called falsifers, the
result of stupid management In years that
have gone by. No matter how specific or
emphatic the committee may be in making
announcements as to purchases or sales OF
players, the word of each individual on
the committee is doubted and passed along
with a knowing shrug of the shoulders or
Q wink OF the eye. Messrs. Noyes, Minor