The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-11

Pitcher supremacy, that baseball buga-
boo of several years standing in the COM
munity, has again raised its head, and
loud shouts and complaints are again
being made that there is not batting
enough 10 suit those lovers of the IA
tional game who prefer much swatting
TO shut-out scores and a dozen OF more
strike-outs to a game. says Sam Crane.
the well-known veteran player
Pitchers contests are well enough if
they are sandwiched IN between games
in which there is some fenee-breaking
waloping done and runs are not as
scarce as hens teeth.
But 20 be obliged TO take ] 10 scores
as a regular diet becomes mOnotonous.
and those OF us who prefer heavy batting
and lots OF runs have a perfect right to
voice our complaints and TO pray for
some new rule that viii give the batter
an equal show, at least, with the an-pre-
dominating and big salaried artist who
occupies the mound
II Is most fortunate that all the pitch
ers are not Mathewsons. Fords, Coles.
! Benders, Coombses. and twiriers Of their
high class. for then batting would be a
lost art. indeed. except on very rare occa-
Sions.
The way to increase batting would be
10 have the baseball lawmakers who meet
here next week pass some new rule so as
to give the less effective pitchers more u
chance than they have had in the past.
Wall for More Hitting.
The wall for more batting is usually
made annually just before the league
meetings, as is night and proper, and
that is the reason why take up the
cudgels for the ''wallop wanters' al this
time. for there is a possible chance that
the magnates may want something to
talk about to while away their time next
week. as from the present outlook they
viii not have overmuch business to trans
act-not nearly so much as last year,
anyhow.
The rules Of the game as they are now
allow a manager or captain of any team
10 put as many pitchers in a game as
he sees NJ. II only one ball is pitched by
the tWirler. he can be yanked out and
the hook can be applied as often as
there are pitchers on a team.
This allows, OF course. OF much Jug
Cling by managers and captains in ar
ranging their plans Of battle and IN
changing them. But baseball patrons do
not go TO games 10 see a battle OF wits
between managers. II is the contest on
the green diamond that appeals most TO
them. and that is what they pay their
good money for.
II is rather disappointing. aggravating.
% faf.s So
with the bases full and a favorite left
handed slugger going 10 bat. and with
brilliant prospects Of making a cleanup
clout. 10 have the manager of the oppos-
ing team yank the right-handed pitcher
who Is in the box out Of it and substi-
tute a fork-hand singer whose delivery
the aforesaid slugger couldn't hit with a
long, wide plank.
Manager steps In.
That is where the manager with his
acumen, niInble wit, shrewdness. et Get
era ct cetera, comes in and spoils a
most interesting situation. The man
ayers act was a clog on batting. but
under the rules a manager who wouldn't
take advantage OF his privilege at such
critical stage would be acclaimed a
bonehead
AHtlS AlC Netto4A lANtiiriS hiulh Ger
tain players cannot hit with a paddle.
and wise managers are well posted on
all such weaknesses and take advantage
of them.
II has happened frequently that in
such cases a pitcher. who may be doing
grand work has been taken out OF the
box without apparent cause 10 the spec
tstors and a new pitcher substituted.
Now. il would seem that the pitchers
have enough of a handicap on the poor
batters without that rather unfair ad-
vantage. There is nothing done, Of
course. that the rules do not allow Of.
but, still, II looks like an unfair advan-
tage. at that, and il so strikes the
spectators
The managers cannot be hlamed-it is
the rules that are ar fault
How can that handicap 10 batters and
batting be obviated, do YOU ask?
Easier than falling of a log
BY having the playing rules so read
that no club can have but two pitchers
in any one game. except of course, in
case of a pitcher being injured
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