Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-12
HOW CAPT. MORROW
WOULD IMPROVE BASE BALL

These are the days Of the winter
leagues" The base ball fans between sea-
sons do not crawl into their shells after
the big leagues have completed their sea-
SON and entirely desist from base ball dis
cussion. but on the contrary. besides trying
to figure out the championship for the COM
ing season, many suggestions for changes
In the rules are made and debated upon
by the ''freside leaguers."
Following the story recently printed in
The Star regarding the radical changes
which DR.. William Tindall. secretary to the
Board of District Commissioners, would
make In International game to make it more
interesting. " similar suggestions have been
received at The Star office.
Many fans flourish at the District build
ing, and on Saturday afternoon when the
Nationals are playing at home the ball park
takes on the aspect of District building
annex because so many employees from
that building are on hand. The doctors
suggestions, which included the adding of
right shortstop." a larger and broader
bat and the putting out of a player
when he makes three fouls have called our
changes would add material interest to base
ball. while others think differently.
Capt Jay j: Morrow, assistant to the En-
gineer Commissioner of the District con-
siStent fan and formerly a star PLAYER on
the West Point base ball nine, inspired by
DIR. Tindalls offerings, proposes new rule
This suggestion is that at the beginning OF
each inning the players who We're left on
the bases during the previous inning should
resume their places on the sacks.
THIS would have the effect of compelling
each team to play until twenty-seven t'outs"
We're credited to them. However instead
of playing steadily in the field or at the
bat until the twenty-seven players had been
put out" as is the method in cricket. the
teams would alternate after each third
"out." For instance. under the present
rules. If with two out batter knocks out a
three-bagger and the next man goes out
the man on third base canont score and
his safe hit is wasted
According to the change suggested by
Capt Morrow, at the beginning of the next
inning the player who made the three
Dagger and who was left third would
be permitted to resume his position on the
third sack and would have a chance to
score before the next three ''Outs" of his
team are made. and his good hit would
amount to something.
In the same way, when team by har
playing gets three men on the bases, with
two outs" its opportunity Of scoring is
entirely lost If the next man up hits a fly
to the outfield or does the Casey at the
Bat stunt and strikes out Under Capf
Morrow's rule the three base runners could
resume their positions the next inning and
might score as opportunity developed In
that inning.
When describing his suggestion to a Star
reporter the captain said he had no idea
OF submitting ii to the rules committees of
the Two Dig leagues, nor does he expect it
to be adopted unless he submits it. He
said he .'doped'' it out to give the fans an
idea to figure on the possibilities and be-
cause he really thinks such a change not
only would prove satisfactory. but would
add much interest to the game.
DR.. Tindall and Capt Morrow talked over
the changes they would make In the ma
tional sport at the District building and
the former agreed that 1t should be neces-
sary to put out twenty-seven batters and
that the men left on bases at the end of An
inning should be permitted to resume the
bases at the next inning. In fact, the doc
tor was so well pleased with the idea that
he said he would add it to his set of
revised rules" as he thinks the addition
would in way perfect his long list
Capt Morrow Is also Of the opinion that
the game of base ball would be bettered
II the various managers of the leagues
would issue positive orders prohibiting the
players from commenting upon the deci-
sions OF the umpire or allowing them to
enter into any argument He would also
suggest that the big league" teams should
refuse to employ players who jump their
contracts. This practice he decla roe
should be discouraged