The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-15
GIVEN MORE POWER
Amateur Commission Is Now
Permanent Organization.
MOVE WILL PROVE BENEFICIAL
Board Can Now co Ahead with Incl
dentaIs Attending Games Each
Year-Wn Not BE Hampered by
Tardy League Presidents, as I'm Past
seasons-Aggies Arc Chesty.

BY forming a permanent body 70 take
charge OF the pOst-season series each
year. the presidents OF the various am
ateur leagues have taken the first step
take entire charge OF baseball in Wash
ington It is to be regretted that the
board did not dig down TO the root OF
the matter and enlarge the scope of the
commissions power. II IS a foregone con
clusion that should the eight leagues form
an agreement about the eligibility Of
players. all the independent clubs would
want TO get in tho fold.
The rules adopted this season differ
but little from those In use in other
years. but the changes arc OF sufficient
note 20 cause much comment Aside from
the extra power which IS vested In the
commission. the constitution makes II
necessary for the president TO cast the
vote IN all cases or a tie on any ques-
ton where. heretofore. In the absence OF
that Official. the vice president has cast
his ballot. This change was made Ow-
ing 20 the fact that Maurice O'Connor.
the new vice president IS affiliated with
the Capital City League. which. should
be be presiding. would give that organ
izatlon two votes.
Another change made was regarding
tho uniforms, all Of the players having
70 wear the same kind OF regaua, with
the same lettering, &c. This viii make
some Of the magnates hustle 10 get their
suits together.
There IS going 10 be a merry time
when the commission goes over the lists
~ players, as several OF the teams are
bound TO make a fight for the men that
are playing with one or more organiza-
tons. Some OF the mines will suffer
blows that 7ill hurt TO the skin, and
will probably be so crippled that they
VIII be easy marks.
Teams from Brentwood won two pen
nants this year. in the Prince George
County and Capital City leagues. The
Department Of Agriculture goes them one
better, however having a champion team
IN the Departmental and Independence
leagues, and a recently organized col
ored team which bids fair 20 make a
hard fight In the Colored Departmental
circuit II is plain &c al, now. that
whenever you meet one or the Farmers
or clerk az the Agricultural Depart
ment, the proper thing 10 do IS 70 don
your hat. step aside. and bow. for the
Clerks are the real stars this year
The regular schedule OF the Independ-
ence League closed yesterday with the
pennant resting snuely IN the Agricul-
tUre berth. Practically the deciding game
was played Thursday. when Manhattan
was completely swamped ~ the Farmers,
20 0.
There are but two games scheduled
before the post-seasOu series opens next
Thursday. Agriculture playing ST. Paul
tomorrow. and Manhattan clashing with
Advent Tuesday.
The boys from the Mall have proved
n big drawing card for the Bloomingdale
circuit during the past season. large
crowds turning out every time the Agsies
were booked. and when the proceeds OF
the league are disbursed Il Is hoped 20
return the entrance fee 20 each con-
tending club.
During the game between Agriculture
and Manhattan Thursday. a decision OF
Umpire Handiboe in calling a Manhattan
runner out for interference on the part
OF the batter has given rise 10 some
question from the Manhattan ranks.
When requested. the umpire gave out
the following statement OF the play,
and It might be interesting 10 amateurs
for future occurrences: Two men on the
Manhattan side were out. with a runner
on third Ferguson. pitching for Agri-
culture. was standing In his box, and
Carr the Manhattan batter. in his POSI-
ton. The runner on third started 10
steal home on a squeeze play. Tho
pitcher. without any wind-up. or any
attempt TO deliver the bali 70 the batter,
saw the runner start for home. and
threw the ball % the catcher IN order
70 put the runner out at the plate The
batter stepped directly upon the plate.
and IN front OF the catcher, deliberately
blocking the play, in an srdeavor TO
allow the runner 10 score The runner
was called out by me for the batters
interference"
This decision is clearly TO be left 70
the umpire's judgment, and as the
pitcher had not made any attempt TO
pitch the ball 70 the batter, the latter s
interference with the play caused the
runner to be called out
Capt. Mcknight. OF the Union Station
team. is experimenting with his lineup
and is thinking about altering the in1eld
T. Thompson. who plays third base, Is a
fairly good hitter but takes too many
chances on the bases and cannot field as
well as several other men on the roster
Of the Champs, so he will be benched or