The Washington herald., 1913-12-30
ENGEL LEAVES
TO See REECE
Climbers Young Twirler VIII
Consult Noted Bonesetter
for Trouble In Arm.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
Federal Leaguers Must Show Bank
Roll to Scare Organized
Baseball.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
By WILLIAM PEET.

Joe Engel, the Nationals young pitcher
product of the local sand lots, who has
been with the club for two years, leaves
today for Youngstown, Ohio, where he
VIII consult Bonesetter Reece about his
salary whip.
lte last fall Engel caught cold in his
right shoulder and suffered considerable
pain. He was never able to get all the
kinks out of his arm and has been under
treatment ever since.
Il am afraid that a muscle or ligament
has slipped out of place, and as l expect
great things from Engel next summer.
intend to have him in shape to work, "
said Manager Griffith last night. That's
why l am sending him to BonesctteI
Reece, who has had wonderful sue
cess treating ball players, especially
pitchers
Trainer Mike Martin took Engel in
charge as soon as the season closed and
applied every known method to get rid
of the shoulder soreness, with but poor
success, hence the trip to Youngstown.
Ohio.
Like the majority of major league man
ayers, Griffith is strong for Bonesetter
Reese. He believes that if muscle or
anatomy Reece will locate the trouble in
a jiffy, and prescribe the kind Of treat
ment necessary.
Joe Engel pitched good ball in spots last
season. His greatest achievement was
in trimming the Athletics during the
Climbers final fling around the circuit,
allowing them but handful of hits.
Wildness Glons has been the youngster' s
chief fault. but tn. Nationals pilot Gig
mill dina
this fault. and has stated all along that
he figures on the kid 10 twirl winning
ball next season.
According to a news dispatch from Chi
caeo the Federal League club in that
city proposes to erect a baseball plant
on the North Side. costing 100000 and
looks forward to a big 5eason in 1914.
As baseball plants go, 100000 will not
furnish much of a recreation park Take
for instance the Washington Baseball
Park at Florida avenue and Seventh
street The grandstonI and bleacheTs
alone cost more than 10000. while the
land is valued at $4,000 in addition.
When the Federal League is taken seri-
OusIy, the hackers of that organization
must show a bulky bank roll. and until
a lot of money is in sight, organized
baseball will refuse to worry.
The rules committee of the National
League will have under advisement at
their next meeting plans to alter several
playing rules of the national game.
Among the points to be considered are
the following:
The Intentional pass.
Interference with the batsman by the
catcher.
The trapped ball.
The balk rule.
Walking the dangerous batter at critical
times is one proposition that cannot be
properly restricted. it is feared. Never
theless Hank O'Day. member of the
rules committee, is in the limelight with
the suggestion that the way to accomplish
the result is to limit the width of the
catchers box. O'Day figures that by
making the box narrower the ball would
necessarily be hurled near enough for
the batsman to at least make an effort
at it.
No other suggestion made in this con-
nection has been worth while considering,
as all compelled the umpire to decide
when the pitcher was Intentionally pitch
ing wide and when not.
Under the present rules the catcher's
interference with batsman is penaliZed
by giving the hitter his base, the other
runners retaining their old positions I'M
less the bases were all occupied.
The weakness of this system was shown
in a game last season when. with a man
on third getting ready to steal home or
some on a squeeze play, the catcher cley-
erly tipped the batters club in plain view
of everybody, causing him to foul. The
play. of course. sent the runner back to
third. while the batter trotted to first
base, the privilege granted him for the
interference of the catcher. But the al
most certain score was prevented.
In future it is proposed that all runners,
when a catcher interferes with a bats
man. shall advance a base. In this way
killing the squeeze play in the manner
described will not he permissible.