Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-01
PITCHERS OUTSTRIP BATSMEN
Man in Box Gains Efficiency at
Highest Rates.
FIGURES SHOW DEVELOPMENT
Statistics Of Base Ball Since 1879
DemOnstrate Waning Tendency
of Relative Status of Abil-
ity of Man at Bat.

A base ball statistcisn has figured II
out that since 1872, when the records were
first kept, 1900 batsmen have faced the
major league pitchers, and only $50 OF them
have shown averages OF 200 or more. Ever
since the National league was organized
in 1876 the effectiveness OF the pitcher has
gradually increased in spite of rules passed
TO bring about more batting. Nine balls
originally entitled a hitter to a base. but
the number was soon cut to six, then to
four, while one year the strikes were in
creased from three to four. The adoption
Of the foul strike rule. however, has hand
icapped the batsman and has been Of cor
responding benefit to the boxman. In do
ing away with intentional delay the rule
has been a pronounced success. but the
records show that in recent years the bat
ting has decreased in strength. until last
season the pitchers had a greater advan-
tage than ever before.
President Johnson OF the American
league. who is close student OF base ball,
says he is opposed TO changes in the pres
ent playing code. and Umpire Hank o'Day.
who suggested the foul strike rule, sup
ports johnson in this contention. other
base ball men. including Comiskey, Connie
Mack, Chance, Fred Clarke and Clark
Griffith. hold similar opinions. as far as
the suggestion to reduce called balls to
three is concerned. But ali OF these men
are busy thinking over tho proposition
which involves the renewal OF the raised
pitchers box. This change was not sug-
gested until recently. and it has found so
many advocates at the meeting Of the joint
rules committee Of the big leagues it will
doubtless receive serious consideration.
The raised box has been generally over
looked but the rule permitting It has been
violated in so many instances that the
matter Is now widely discussed
with the mound built up so that the
top Of Il is two feet higher than the home
plate and the three corners Of the dia-
mond, pitchers now have tremendous
advantage. Those who employ speed a
greater part OF the time are enabled 70
lntimidate batsmen by hurting the bali
down hill with terrific momentum They
are in a position to see the corners OF the
plate better, and in that way can keep
control Of the ball with more effective re-
suits By putting the pitcher on a level
with. the batsman 1t is argued that the
latter would go 20 the plate with more
confidence and that the hitting, therefore,
lN'NAN RA AANANaeNt ~ a mar ANAa ANaiNr-
The pitcher would be unable 10 enjoy an
Unfair advantage and would be forced to
exercise more care in his delivery.
It is pointed out that such men as
Mathewson. Coombs and Johnson would
not have 50 many batsmen a. their mercy
and that with more hitting the games
would be livelier from the spectators
standpoint Base ball men who have
looked into this mattsr insist that there
is no good reason why the pitchers box
should be raised at all. unless II Is for
the purpose Of keeping the hitters IN sub
lection. When the box was on a plane
with the plate there was plenty OF first
class pitching. but the records show that
the batting was heavier and that runs
were more plentiful. The raised box. It
Is said. was originated by the old Bait
mores OF fifteen years ago and II has been
a growing evil ever since
That the average manager believes that
the success Of his team depends chiefly
upon the effectiveness OF his pitchers is
shown by the fact mat twice the number
Of twirlers are carried nowadays than was
the case IN 1895 Then three OF four first
class pitchers were sufficient. whereas
nowadays a major league team f. not con-
sidered well equipped unless seven or
eight bOxmen are on the payroll The
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