Evening star., 1912-11-23
DERIINENI @l1nlENT
X$ssHappenin&$s n&$srSPortdom

plate. and there were very few who did
not pitch from two corners and some
times three corners of the box TO the
same batter. The pitchers box was sew
en- feet long, four feet wide and fifty feet
from the plate.
1t is perhaps fortunate for base ball
that no one club can boast of two pitch
ers of the JohnsonWa type. Two
such pitchers with any sort Of backing
up would come pretty near to making
runaway race with any of the first
division teams in either league. But
were ii not for the fact that club once
it signs a player holds him for his life
time such state of affairs might be pos
sible. If the players were free agents at
the end of every season the highest bid
der would get the stars, and 1t stands to
reason that club in city where IL has
a population of millions to draw from
would be i'll a position to outbid the
smaller cities in the circuit.
Probably the most important action
taken at the annual meeting of the ANA
teur Athletic Union In New York Mon
day was the resolution regarding uniform
regulations for the next Olympic games.
This matter was pretty thoroughly talked
over during the Olympic games at Stock
holm, but no definite action was taken,
owing TO the agreement that the Swedes
should be allowed to run the sports un-
der the old system. First action looking
toward the formulation of new plans for
the games to be held in Berlin was taken
with the resolution authorizing the
president fthe Amateur Athletic Union
to appoint a committee of five men from
this country to confer with similar COM
mittees from others neyt year in regard
to permanent Olympic games schedule
and rules
According to the scheme of the Anna
teur Athletic Union the Olympic games
-, It'll sto 81
games, but the committees from the diff
ferent countries are to thresh out the
program and rules question thoroughly
and make recommendations to the main
body. Then the latter will either accept
the program and rules as recommended
and establish a standard for the future
or refer them back for further considera-
tion and alteration. This would provide
an effective and satisfactory way Of set
Ting a matter which has caused mucn
trouble in the past.
Under the old way of running tie Olym-
pic games the country in charge of them
had the privilege OF mapping out it's own
program and making and Interpreting
rules. With athletes competing from all
over the world under variety of rules.
the outcome could not be otherwise than
unsatisfactory. The most notable trouble
occurred between the British and Ameri-
cans at the London games, but there has
been minor friction at other places SO
unsatisfactory have the rules been in
some events that it has been necessary
to provide two styles Of doing the same
thing Deciding the championship 90 far
as any particular country Is concerned by
totaling points in the events has been a
farce Each country has added events
that suited its fancy. and the regular
athletic ones have been lost In q maze OF
those bordering on the freak. The A'ncri-
cans, for instance, claim the cbamg..en-
ship at Stockholm, but II all Of the events
contested on the Olympic program. such
as yachting, rowing, horse racing and
gymnastics. are taken into account Uncle
Sam is nowhere near q champion But
if the straight athletic events only are
to be considered this country scored q
decisive victory.