Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-14
LIVELY BALL MAKES GAME
AS IT WAS YEARS AGO
Continued From First Page.)

ting the ball sauarely. There is no longer
such thing as allowing the f1elders ia
do their share. for il the batters hit at
all the ball is out Of reach Of every one.
This new condition does not work any
hardship on any particular team. 1t Is
as fair for one as the other. though, Of
course, the team with the most sluggers
need not have the benefit Of as good
pitching as formerly in order to win. It
is decidedly doubtful II this new state
Of affairs is going to be popular with
the public. II 1t could be guaranteed
that the home teams would do all the
slugging there would be lot OF good
natured crowds leaving the ball parks
every day. but, unfortunately, the other
fellows are just as apt to do the bulk of
it. In which event patrons Of the game
become disguised.
But the hardest blow the game has
been dealt is the long time it.<-equires
ing conditions. Heretofore 1t has been
the aim OF the rulemakers to get the
games over with as soon as possible. 1t
was for this purpose that the rules We're
so amended Q few years ago that the
catcher has to stay behind the bat
or not. Formerly he remained near the
backstop until there was some one on
or two strikes had been called. But 1t
was found that lot of time was wasted
up under the bat and kept there.
instructions were given umpires to keep
the players hustling from and to their
positions between innings and everything
calculated to get the game over with was
adopted. Now comes the lively ball and
games are running far over two hours.
which is not pleasing to the public and a
decided setback for the sport
Speaking Of those Nationals. It might
be remarked that they have really &C.
complished wonders during their stay in
Chicago. and there are much improved
opinions OF them here now than existed
after Thursdays slaughter. Those first
the Nationals Of old, when the other fell
lows wiped up the field with them as q
regular afternoon exercise. But the team
came back after those two defeats and
got an even break with the White Sox,
which at least proves that some lighting
spirit exists in the ranks. But the team
is in g. bad way for all that Nothing
but the wonderful Improvement in the
defeats in Chicago. for their pitchers were
undoubtedly the easiest kind OF picking
for the opposition. No pitching stan was
ever moro shot to pieces than McAleers,
and unless there 10 q sudden brace In this
department but little is to be expected on
this trip for 1t Is not likely that the
strength to score enough runs to offset
this weakness every day exists on the
team.
That enormous lead which the Detroits
gained at the expense Of their west
ern rivals stands them in good stead
now, for even though their present slump
should continue while longer, 1t seems
assured that their lead is long enough
to keep them at the head of the process
sion until they get to going again. There
is. however, one discouraging feature
from Detroit standpoint. and that is
- hn
blessed with any very high-class pitchers;
True, they have won a lot OF games. btS
it has been on account Of the wonder
full run-scoring proclivities of the entire
team that this has been accomplished.
That Walter Johnson was far from be-
ing in form was demonstrated in nearly
every game he pitched this spring. Even
the several he won were not up to his
standard, but fortunately there appears
to be nothing wrong with his great pitch
ing arm, the trouble being Of a general
nature. johnson knew that he was not
right, and when last Saturday he won
from the Athletics by the skin of his
said to Manager McAleer: IF I had lost
that game would never want to see
bali park again. Unfortunately Mo
Aleer n not IN Q position to give John
son the rest he really needs. With his
pitching staff shot to pieces he will DO
forced to work him just as soon as he
can get out, and this may prevent his
rounding into form as coon as he would
II given the proper opportunity to do so.
Today the Nationals open a four-game
series with the tail-end st. Louis Browns,
and though they will be up against the
weakest team in the league, they are un-
fortunate In being badly crippled them
selves. II 10 q pretty safe guess that
MoAleer Will be in the air as to which OF
his pttoherD to send TO the mound today.
Walker 10 out OF the question because
he cent raise his arm. Gray worked
Friday and otsy dM days work yssesr-