Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-25
MAILER TO SEND OUT
CONTRACTS AT ONCE
Nationals Manager Says His
Players Will All Be
Satisfied.
CHANGES IN PLAYING
RULES NOT LIKELY
Suggestion to Eliminate Pitcher
From Batting Order Not Apt to
Strike Rule Makers as Good.
BY J. ED aR111o.

Members Of the Nationals will have con-
tracts for next season submitted to them
within the next few days.
When Manager McAleer left here last
night for his home, in Youngstown, he
carried with him a large bundle Of blank
contracts, which after they have been
filled out will be sent to the members of
the team.
McAleer expects to have a contract in
the hands of every one OF his players be-
fore he returns here to attend the an
nual meeting of the American League
not expect all his men to aff1x their sig
natures until later.
II do not expect to have any kicks from
my players about their contracts, though
there will be several who will have to
stand q cut" said McAleer. 1.-The players
who delivered the goods will be consider
ed when / send out the contracts, and
shall not overlook those who failed to
hold up their end. There will be several
who will have to stand cut. OF course,
they will kick, but their work does not
justify paying them the salary they drew
last season.
II propose to be fair with my men, but
I want them to be fair with .me. On the
whole every man will be satisfied with the
salary I offer him..
McAlecr will return here about Decem-
Der II and prepare to attend the annual
meeting in New York, at which he hopes
to pail of a trade or two. 1t would not
be at all surprising If one of the players
who is considered a star on the local team
figured In a swap. though McAleer would
have to get first class and established
player in return.
Though the usual suggestions for
changes in the rules are as prevalent this
winter as ever, it is not at all likely that
there will be any material changes made
in the playing rules: The suggestion pro-
viding for the elimination of the pitcher
from the batting order is being pushed in
certain quarters, but there is hardly a
chance Of such a change being made. In
the first place, the rules would either
have to he changed so as to give one man
the privilege of batting for the pitcher or
have different man go up every time 1t
Is the pitchers turn to hit. Though there
are few good hitters among the pitchers,
1t would be a mistake to eliminate them
from the batting order. There is just as
much, pleasure to a home crowd to see
the opposing pitcher up in pinch which
gives hope that the other side will get out
of tight place as there Is in seeing base
hits made. Furthermore, 1t gives grounds
for a hard luck story when a weak-hit-
ting pitcher breaks up game with an I'M
expected hit.
TT spoils base ball to see pitcher
come to the bat in tight pinch when
it's foregone conclusion that he can
not hit the ball outside of the diamondS
says an advocate of this suggestion. n
der the present rules. he's got to make
fizzle or be taken out to allow somebody
else TO bat for him. In the latter case
sometimes an effective pitcher is sue
ceeded by an ineffective one, who is hit
hard. and the game is lost If the rules
committee will eliminate the pitcher from
the batting order. and put in an extra
T.; fv,b ySla 10 hn M
proved beyond a question of doubt Such
a rule would enable pitcher to have a
good rest between innings instead of us
ing up his energy in fruitless attempt
to hit the ball or run around the bases.
The pinch hitter is an everyday feature
in modern base ball. and in majority of
cases he goes to bat for the pitcher. so
why not cut the pitcher out of the hit
ting and out OF the game. and thereby
strengthen the team where it is most
needed?"
Another suggestion is to have the num-
Der of called balls entitled a batter to first
base reduced to three. instead of four.
1t is figured that this change would ma
terially increase the batting. and per-
haps 1t would but 1t Is decidedly question:
able whether the public is clamOring for
more batting. Furthermore, there is no
certainty that such a change would make
material difference in the hitting in
the long run. for there has never been a
handicap placed on the pitcher which he
has failed to master after a certain
period.
But the rule makers will think more
than twice before they make SO material
a change i'm the playing rules. Base ball
proves its popularity every year, and it Is
a pretty good policy to leave well enough
alone.
Kid Elberfeld of the Nationals is the
only American League player who re-
mains in the circuit which was formed
from the old Western League. Elberfcld