The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-15
Johnson, Heydler, and Other
Prominent Magnates Fa-
vor the Reform.
CITE ACCIDENTS
IN WORLD SERIES
Injuries TO Byrne, Jones, Morianty,
and Schmidt Impress
Owners.

NEW YORK. Dec. 15.-Cleaner base
ball. the safety Of players. and the pro
lection Of the clubs for the playing
ability of their men are considerations
back of the rules trat will be consider
ed by both the National and American
Leagues IN their sessions beginning to-
d;,y in the Waldorf and Walcott hotels
respectively.
One rule provides for elimination or
the spikes that have mutilated many
PLAYERS. The other prohibits the block
ing of base runners. Ban Johnson said
today: I'VE are looking for something
that viii make the game safer without
detracting from its interest. If the new
rules that are talked of can produce this
result, they will surely be adopted by
the American League
Connie Mack, of the Athletics; JOIN.
L Taylor, OF the Boston Speed BoyS.
and Manager Stallings, Of the New
York HIgElanders, are all committed
to this reform. Detroit and Chicago are
counted against It, while Cleveland St
Louis and Washington are open TO con-
.iction-
II Jonn +. Heydler be chosen presi-
dent of the National League he viii ex-
ert his powerful influence for the adop-
, ton of the anti-spike md ant-blocking
rules in that organization.
All For Changes.
Both HeydIer and Johnson saw the
most fragrant examples OF spiking and
blocking IN the history Of baseball in
the sixth game Of the last worlds cham
pionship series, and the determination
! to urge this reform was porn then.
Garry Hermann, OF Cincinnati; Ebbets,
of Brooklyn; Dewey, OF Boston, and
Barney Rreyfuss, of Pittsburg, are in
favor of the proposed rules Brush and
MCGraw, Of the Giants; Robson and
Bresnahaa. of ST. Louis; Murphy and
Chance, OF Chicago, are opposed 70
{ any radical change. The stand Of FOgel,
/ of the Phillies, is unknown
, II Is expected that the fight on the
projected changes Will not be made un-
/ I'll the election Of National League
| president shall be made. If Ward Is
! chosen the present rules will probably
\ be continued. II Heydler, O'Brien, or
/ any compromise candidate should be Sc
! lected il is safe to predict the reforms
! will be enacted.
/ The injuries to Baker. Of the Athletics;
! Byrne. OF Pittsburg, MOriarity Tom
! Jones and Schmidt, OF Detroit. are be-
! ing urged IS reasons for the new rules.
The players who are here do not ap-
/ pear to be as much concerned in the
| changes as are the team owners.
Clarke Argues.
i've who play the game" said Fred
/ Clarke. Of the Pirates. take our chances
Of injury as part OF the game. We slide
head first or feet first. as the occasion
demands. To get on base, TO score q
run, TO win a game are the objects We
have in mind when at bat and 10 pre-
vent these things is our sole ambition
when in the field.
Under the present rules we tak'
many chances at injury that the pro
posed new rules would absolutely pre-
vent. The practicability Of the innOva
ton. however. remains to be demonstrsD
ted"
The knowledge that the new rule
would be offered has brought few
! inventors TO the session OF TIE leagues
| One chap has a shoe with a ridge ~
> leather a half inch deep. Another ha
diamond shaped leather cleats some
I what lighter than those worn by foot
ball players. Still another has a sho
, with a light one sole. This has eros
, Iatching OF leather strips. I admit ]
will make the speed Of the players
[ little less" said the inventor. but thin
Of the safety of the device Huh,
3 said John J. McGraw. Of the Giants
think Of the fine kick In the face yO
! could land with the broader sole whe
e sliding into base