Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-26
AMATEUR BASE BALL
TO Be STRENGTHENED
Commission to Straighten Out
Several Kinks at Com
ing Meeting.

From ali Indications amateur base ball
in Washington next season will be put
a basis that will not only be a credit
the game. but the systematfzing of the
various leagues throughout the city will
compare favorabiy and, i'm fact. come up
to the standard maintained by such other
cities as Chicago, New York and Phila-
delphfa.
The amateur base ball commission of
this city meets January 6, the revision OF
the bylaws being a special feature of the
gathering.
Particular attention will be given by
the commission to the insertion of the
clause relative TO a player associatfng
himself with more than one team. In
years past such conduct on the part OF
the player could only be attributed to his
ambitions instinct, and therefore he is not
to be censured. However. the result bids
fair to put amateur base ball in Wash
ington in disrepute, and for the good of
the game the heads OF the leagues. it
seems. are determined to stamp out that
questionable feature.
AS far as learned, there will be but few
changes in the management OF the df-
ferent teams. John r. Leutich. Well
known in amateur base bail circles in
Washington, Will not have charge OF the
Compassionate next year. 1t has not
been determined as Yet what disposition
will be made OF the Compassionate fran
chise, as Ii Is to the option of Mr..
Leutich, although a manager has been
eletced for that organization. Mr.. Rup-
pert OF the winnings. has been replaced
by J. J.. Dlsaver. The business inter
ests OF the former were too pressing To
give his undivided attention to the .eam
welfare. While James El!et OF the Co
lumbia Typographical Union team as
serted hi2lself most ernphatically that
he was through with base bali, vet his
many admirers believe that he will be-
reappointed as manager over hts own
protest.
The outlook for the Washington CITY
leagues to become affiliated with the IN
ternational Amateur Base Ball Assccia-
ton is very promising and this, too, Will
come up at the meeting early next
month.
An important matter that the players in
the city are much interested in is SultaDie
grounds wherein they may be sufficiently
able to make a showing, and If they have
that ability as a bali player IL can De
keenly observed by those who are in .
position to test a players fitness. MICH
unjust criticism has been heaped on not a
few players in the past simply because 10
was utterly impossible on unfit diamonds
to make certain plays at critical moments.
This fact was never more clearly DEM
onstrated that at the close OF the past
season, when the Pension Bureau aggre-
CATION made such miserable showing ar
the American League park in the post
season series. The entire summer this
team. with others of the Marquette
League. played on grounds that were
totally unfit, and the habit the players
acquired by jumping from one gully to
another and evading rock piles repeated
itself when the players were In action on
q first-class diamond. 1t was learned
from a well known member OF tho com
mission that this matter would be given
due consideration at the January meet
ing.
The matter OF all players being in uni
form when participating in a game will
get the sanction of the commission. Many
protests were made by managers last
season, but as there was no clause in the
bylaws barring players no action was
taken. In the post-season series. however.
this rule is rightly enforced. 1t 10 the
commissions intention to insert clause
in the bylaws that no player will be per-
mitted to take part in q regular scheduled
game when not in full uniform. This is
commendable. and not only the players
themselves. but the spectators as we'll
will welcome the change.