Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-26
GRIFFITH OPPOSES
CHANGES IN RULES
Does Not Agree With Sug-
gestions Made by Evers
of the Cubs.
WANTS UMPIRES KEPT
AWAY FROM INFIELD
Shows Why 1t Would Not Do
to Pena!ize Pitcher for Civ
ing Intentional Pass.
BY j. ED GRILLo.

Changes in the playing rules,
as suggested by Johnny Evers,
manager OF the Chicago Cubs, do
not meet with the approval of
Clark Griffith.
The Nationals leader read over
all that Evers suggested yester-
day and then proceeded to express
his views. In the first place, Grit
fifth does not believe that the
rules should be changed in the
slightest. OF the three sugges-
tons made by Evers there is but
one that he favors, and he does
not consider this of enough inn
portance to take a stand for it.
''Evers would have three balls
give a BASE said Griff, land we
all know that right now the aver
age pitcher has trouble enough
getting the ball over, though it
takes four balls to give base.
The game would NOT be helped
by such a change The rules are
most satisfactory, and should not
be changed. Then he suggests
that the rules be changed so that
if batter is Intentionally walked
the base runners move up auto
matically.
I'm other words he would penalize a
pitcher because he displays a little judg-
ment and takes chance. Furthermore,
who IS to decide whether base on balls
is given Intentionally not? have seen
many occasions when a pitcher was try
ing to get the ball over and couldn't, and
any rule such as Evers suggests would
be absurd. because there would be no
way of determining whether the pass was
intended or not So much for that rule.
L do believe that sign stealing could be
prevented and the game hurried along by
moving the coachers' boxes back five feet
or so, so that it would be impossible
for the coachers to see the catcher's sig
mails.
That sort of a change would accom-
plish something but all the others that
have been suggested are the purest rot,
and I feel sure will never be considered
by the rule makers.
THE game as Il is played is as near to
perfection as 1t is possible to make 1t.
and this Is proved by its popularity with
simplify matters l would say pass rule
forcing the field umpire to be out Of the
way. Do not allow him to stand any,
where in the diamond. Make him stand
outside and then run toward the bag
where he has a decision to make. Under
the present system he is IN the way of
plays and handicapped when he turns to
make decision. because he has to watch
the ball 50 not to be hit by it, where
il he was outside of the diamond there
would not be any such danger.
'Such changes would not affect the game
to any extent. but would help it. do not
agree with any of the changes Of the
rules that have been proposed in recent
years. The game as 1t is played today
seems to answer all purposes and /
should oppose any sort of change which
and changes the present system of play"
If Carl Cashion develops into the pitcher
that is expected 1t makes little difference
whether any other department of the
team Is improved or not. With Cashion
going at the same rate of effectiveness as
did Johnson and Groom last season. the
Nationals are sure to have a better per-
centage at the end of the next season
than they did last Johnson and Groom
won hfty-sfx games between them last
season. The absence of one more twirler
of their type frequently caused them to
work out Of turn. thus affecting their
form. But If CasiliOn can do as well 1t
would give Griffith three great pitchers.
which is more than the average team can
boast Of.
Cashion has all the earmarks of becom-
ing one of the leading pitchers. He has
the physique and disposition and is inter-
ested in his work to such an extent that
he never Overiooks an opportunity to inn
prove himself.
In q little over a month Washington's
base ball hopes will be vending their
way south to start preparation for an
other season. But long before that time
several OF the other major league teams
will have started south. Never before In
the history Of base ball In Washington
has team representing this city gone
into training with brighter prospects for
a successful season. Last year was the
first time in the teams history that 1t
was q contender in the race. The same
team goes into training this spring. to-
gether with a corps Of recruits who. it is
hoped. may be selected to fill the few
weak spots which existed on the team
last season.
No one in this neck Of the woods at all
familiar with conditions is claiming a
pennant for Grif1iths team. Even q SUI
perior aggregation could not give assur-
ance OF performing such a feat. But 1t
can be said that the team which Griffith
viii present this season stands better
chance of accomplishing wonders than did
the one OF year ago, which is saying
much