Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18
"AWAY WITH THE
FOUL STRIKE !"
Manager Jimmy Collins De-
clares That Patrons of Game
Want More Batting.
J. C. MORSE
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MACON. Ga. March 17.&Say what club
owners will. the game of base ball as play
ed In the major leagues will not be what 1t
ought to be until the foul strike rule is
abolished. said Manager Jimmy Collins OF
the Boston Americans today. THE patrons
OF the game want more batting. as the club
owners well know. but they do not do any
thing to help matters. They point to the
attendance and say the game was never
more prosperous. That Is true enough SO
far as It goes but there will come a time
when something will have to be done 1
think that the players ought to be entitled
to some consideration
Ball Players Disguised.
My experience Is that a large majority
OF the men who play the game are dis
gusted with the present conditions. II the
players were consulted by their employers
the latter would find that the foul strike
rule does not meet with favor in the eyes
or the men who go to the bat It ia easy
enough FOR the chaps who pull the strings
10 iesfsiate as they think suits their own
ehds IN THIS matter. but they should be
actuated, In my opinion. by these consider
atlons-what Is good for the game and
what Is good for the players. Looking at
the matter from a scientific standpoint |
MAINTAIN the game has been hurt. First,
In that the hit-and-run game. one of the
pretuest features of the old style has
Deen practically eliminated. The batsman
has two strikes on him almost before he is
aware OF II. The game is so much in favor
or the pitcher that the batsman becomes
discouraged. 1t takes almost all the con.
hdenee out of him. The game should NOT
nave been allowed to degenerate into one
OF strlKe-outs and fielding, making batting
one of the minor features, Batting ought
to come before everything else 1t should
be encouraged In every possible way by the
rulemakerS.
American Leagues Mistake.
THE American League made the biggest
possible mistake in not sticking to the old
conditions. / really think it is up to that
body to take stand on this matter Natur-
ally the clubs that Have short fences will
not like to see anything of the kind sug-
gest Not only has the foul-strike rule
been retained. but the spit ball has crept
H. as II we did not have enough with which
tocontend before that took hold With no
foul-strike rule you would not see the
pitchers try the spit ball as they do now
The abolition of the foul-strike rule would
De the sui'est blow at the spit ball delivery
Inc National League may have had
some excuse Tor the adoption Of the foul
STRIKE RUE: tho American League never
had. and therefore should not have been
allowed to suffer for the sins of others
That being the case. why has the American
League retained this obnoxious and inn
possible rule That 1t will have to go and
at no distant day there is no doubt at all
in my mind.
Il have noted the suggestions that have
been made to help out the batter. but the
only cure for the foul-strike cancer Is to
cut 1t out entirely. The opinion I hold is
fully shared not only by the PLAYERS OF
my club but many others with whom 1
have talked on this important matter"