The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-09-06
Cleveland Star Discusses
Some of the Troubles
of Sluggers.
NV Loa :IacksnnN

Wy SO0 Oas.nSOLs
treated to a grand surprise by the
return Of the 400 hitter. Since La
1oie made his wonderful record of
~? In 1901. the fans seemed to be-
IcSo that no n would ever again
succeed in crossing the 400 mark.
was adopted by the two major leagues
oil baseball critics admitted that
such a rule would do away. for all
time with the 400 mark. Such a
mark in the face Of the limitations
which were set by this rule seemed
absolutely impossible.
ever since the beginning of the game
ias been 300. The batter who
could hit for a percentage of 800
;"as always sure Of a position for his
batting power alone. be his fielding
ability what It might. 800 was the
I'm OF baqfc circle which separ-
!ellow players; 300 was the badge
ut that inner assembly Of players who
through their mere ability to cross
that dividing line had established
tneir claims to leadership in their
profession: 800 then became tho
recognized standard Of batting ability
ever eliminated even from the range
ct possibilities.
All this held good year after year.
i-aJoie. In 1904, showed signs of
breaking the recognized rule when
l'o bntted for the phenomenal average
at 1881. As he had been the last
man who had crossed the 400 circle,
no was the first to approach it since
the establishment of the new rule.
I.ajoie I consider the greatest bat
ter the game has evcr known, SO far
ns pure batting ability is concerned.
Itc mas no superiors and 1t is doubt
!Hi u he has AN equals at hitting
recent years has been lack of speed
10 make the best of his hits.
Cobb's safe hits in many cases are
made so by his wonderful speed from
o plate to first base. a speed
which 1ajoie could not equal and in
consequence ,1anS hsts h Frenchman loses
safely. After Iajoie. Cobb. in 1908,
startled the fans by batting for .377.
The following year, 1910, Lajoie and
Cobb batted for 1885 and a fraction
loss. respectively. This was within
fifteen points Of the impossible 400
mark. ~
Last year. as every one remembers.
the 400 mark was crossed. COBB
leading. with the grand average Of
$50, while I was fortunate enough to
bat .40s. The year 1911 then was
destined to be famous through tho
!act that a standard long considered
impossible was finally reached.
Remarkable Revival.
BEFORE taking any special pride in
that record. however. it is a good idea
10 get q clear understanding Of lust
what led to that remarkable revival
IN batting power shown particularly
oy the American league. In the first
place I am free to confess that at the
beginning OF last year the pitchers in
the American league were far from
their proper form. It thus followed
that both Cobb and myself. who are
southerners, and who bat best in hot
weather. were able to make a remark
AMY fast getaway from the very be-
zion in the pitching force in. the
american league was then the first
reason for the unprecedented batting
squirt. -
The second reason was the new ball
which was adopted last year by the
major agues tn an effort to increase
tue number of'safe hits. The need Of
safe hits had been felt for some time,
as it vas seen that the game fell of
in spectacular quality in becoming a
mere pitchers duel. The new bail
was designed to bring about that very
condition.. which in fact did result,
namely. the great increase in batting
last "a the combination Of weak
pitching in the beginning of the sea-
son which tidcd both Cobb and nv
self over what would ordinarily be
for US a bad part Of thu COM
ained with the much more lively bail
which was adopted by the big leagues
accounted. at least partially, for the
fact that both of us were able to hit
for 400.
This year. owing to the fact that
the pitchers in the American league
seem. to me at least, to be in much
better trim than last year, combined
with the fact that the new ball in
rogue this eason is certainly not so
lively. will prevent a repetition of
last years high batting averages. I
nave no idea hat 1 shall succeed in
batting 400 for the season Of 1912.
] do not believe any one will. 1 doubt
il any one exceeds the mark of .375.
and would not be a: all surprised IL
.?60 proved to be the limit in batting
records. This will :.ot be due to any
falling off in the ability Of the bat
ters. but merely to the lack of those
fortunate circumstances which so
favored heavy hitting last
Not Rosy Dream.
Hitting for 400, like success in any
Two Of work. is not the rosy dream it