The Detroit times., 1911-05-30
By PAUL HALE sRuskE.

The American league can put the
lively ball into the discard just rs
soon az Il desires to do so, and the
management OF the Detroit club won't
care.
This Is the substance OF declara.
ton issued by President Frank j.
Navin:
Il don't care what Ban Johnson or
anyone else says" insists the De-
troit president; the people will never
take 10 an innovation that will pro
long games for over two hours. The
lively ball does this right along. No
ball game should last more than an
hour and as minutes, unless 1t is an
extra-inning contest. III the public
demands more batting, the games
should be shortened In some way that
would balance the increase in length
OF contests. The elimination of the
Intentional bunt might attain that
end. II would make the batsmen hit
and run and would result in many
double play that would shorten things
up.
Its impossible to start games at
3 o'clock and ger the crowd out; any.
one who has ever studied the situa-
ton knows that On the other hand,
q man has to take into consideration
the hour OF his evening meal, when
he starts for the park these days. De-
troit's ball yard is right down town
and Detroit people can get home
quicker than the public In any other
city, yet how often has it been this
season that, hustle the best we can,
We fail TO get the crowd out of the
park before six O'Clock!
mo lively ball for me, with the
present conditions in vogue!"
Before the Tigers left on their long
trip. Manager Jennings delivered him
self in similar purport. 1t is known
hat the little Tiger boss doesn't be-
lieve IL was advisable to increase the
amount OF rubber in the sphere. This
despite the fact that his club well
coined the advent of the legalized
rabbit" by a series of victories
which turned the whole world OF
sport aghast
Jennings thinks that the lively ball
utilities good pitching, reduces team
OF real hitters TO very near the level
OF bunch of wfld-eyed swingers and
places q premium on luck, rather
than good baseball. Sensational in
nelding Is less often met with now
than formerly. The ball is past be-
fore the fielder can really start.
IA As matter OF fact, the introduc-
ton OF the additional rubber has made
q radical change In the style OF the
game--a change TO which the Tigers
have been slower adapting themselves
than most OF their rivals.
The Tigers, won their remnants by
their ability TO hit the ball harder and
Farther than tfsIr Up9 0nents, and Won
most of their victories by getting the
foe to throwing the ball wildly around
the bases Other teams have now
been able TO counteract this advantage |
by the simple method OF meeting the |
sphere and whacking II straight at |
the pitcher. Most Of the time II gets |
past, the result being that the infieid- |
ers are unable TO get IL, and hits are
scored.
Time was when the demon base |
runner Tyrus Cobb could put an en- |
tire infield up In the air and, by one
hectic inning, secure for his mates |
enough runs to win. The moment Ty |
got on the sacks the hostffss became /
the victims Of fright, and with good
reason.
Now things are changed, The OPP
ponents realize that, even should a
throw or two go wild, 1t is by no
means impossi5ses for them to get
enough runs back to balance tho
[Iger margin. As result they aren't
@<&otly purturbed by the sight Of
vrus on one OF his dashes. The re-
nit Is that they throw accurately and