Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-28

than the regular ball, and is of course much
ivelier. Some years ago it was customary
to ring in a live ball whenever it would
work to the advantage of the club at bat.
One particular manager who had penchant
for this and similar things was finally
dropped from the majors. The penalty for
| such an act now is certain expulsion, and
the rabbit ball is really no longer a factor
! A NY ball player or umpire will say that
advertising signs on the fence have
bad effect on the eye. Club owners have
realized the truth of the players belief, and
signs are no longer seen on the fences of any
of the new parks.
This recalls an interesting bit of strategy.
On major league park number Of years
ago there was sign on the center field fence,
on line with the batter's eye, that caused
all kinds of trouble in hitting. The objec-
tons of the visiting and home players be-
came so serious that some action had to be
taken. A large green canvas was procured
and adjusted on pulleys. Because the adj
vertising firm had paid large price for the
advertisement, it was left uncovered until
the game started. Then a man in center
field pulled a couple of ropes, and the green
canvas covered the sign. The operator was
wise chap as far as aiding the home team
was concerned. When the home club was
at the bat the canvas was tightly stretched
over the sign. When the visitors came to
bat, by pulling certain rope the canvas
sagged trifle and left about six or eight
inches of the sign uncovered. This strip was
just at the height the ball was usually de-
livered, and of course it affected their sight.
Just as soon as the home players returned
to bat the canvas was again tightly stretched.
/ The maneuvers of the operator were final
| " discovered, and the umpire thereafter
chased him off the field just as soon as the
game started.
I0FTEN when batter attempts to get
~ out of the way of wild pitch it is next
to impossible to tell whether the ball hit him
or the bat. It is largely guess with the
umpire, and he must be guided mainly by
the sound of the impact. Oftentimes when
the umpire was in doubt he would ask the
player to show him where the ball hit. If
the player could show an injury the umpire
usually granted him his base. Some of the
players, none too scrupulous, soon began to
take advantage of this feature. When they
were hit by the ball they fell to the ground,
clutched the part supposed to have been hit,
and pinched it severely, thus creating very
red spot to be shown to the umpire.
| No more honest player ever lived than
Jack Barry, the famous shortstop of the
l fIuldQelQIud ALIuCuCS. i IOCdu oil luCiOCuC
of last summer that illustrates conclusively
what long guess the umpire is forced to
make on this play. Barry was at bat, and
attempted to dodge bad ball on the inside.
felt sure it hit his bat, judging from the
sound, and was even more certain from the
way the ball shot back to the grandstand.
Barry fell to the ground, evidently suffering
much pain. The players, of course, crowded
around.
Finally Barry was ready to resume play,
and started for first.
Nothing doing. Jack" l said, unless you
can present some evidence of where the ball
hit YOU"
Barry held up his hand; but there was
not the slightest sign of any injury. ut
does not look as if the ball hit me, Bill; but
l tell you it did," answered Barry.
well, don't doubt your word, Jack;
but called it foul strike, and since you
can show no marks my first decision will
have to stand"
Barry made no further protest; but re-
sumed his position at the bat and cracked
out base hit, which pleased me, since felt
sure after Our conversation that Barry must
have been hit
| When he came in from the field the next
inning two of the fingers on his throwing
hand were black and blue. Later on he lost