New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-26
Opposed to the Intentional
Giving of a Base on
Balls by Pitcher.
HINTS FOR REMEDY,
BUT TO NO PURPOSE
Anyway, He Enlivens a Dull Day
for the Fans by Airing His
Views on Subject.

,o,,o saws he has been searching far
- wide for an idea on baseball-a rem
as, for the intentional base on balls. He
declares that he is opposed to this strate-
oc move, at times a powerful and ef-
toc,ive defensive weapon, but can't see
What can be done about IT.
rJo,,rs bearkened TO many letters from
..,Iowers of the game protesting against
.ha nractice, he considers the question OF
snoueh Importance TO dignity 1t with
,,otement. even at the expense OF break
,rg in on the Christmas festivities.
Possibly baseball news was pretty dull
% chicago as is always the case from
ocean to ocean in midwinter holiday.
and something had TO be done. So Ban
Johnson was quoted as saying:
.aThe intentional base on balls has come
% ba one of the most. IL not the most,
unpopular plays in baseball. The great
majority Of the games patrons seem 10
onnose IT, So do I. but what are you
going to do about 1t?
Many complaints have come TO me re-
Gently suggesting pitchers giving inten7
tonal bases on balls be penalized, but no
tecting the intentional pass.
IF we pass a rule forbidding the pass.
the pitchers will simply make a bluff a:
irving 10 get the ball over the plate and
will give the star batsmen their bases on
halls lust the same. This likely would
result IN a lot Of wrangling If the UNI
hires attempted TO penalize what they
thought were intentional passes, because
the pitchers invariably would protest that
they were trying 10 put the ball over.
Some have suggested penalizing all
bases on balls with equal severity. but
that cure would be worse than the disease.
Fewer pitchers would be able to make
good should such a rule be made"
Memo Leibold, centre fielder of the
Cleveland Maps, is pitching for an indoor
nine out in Detroit.
TT stands 10 reason" said Tom Hughes,
the veteran twirler Of the Washington
Senators, the other day, that ball
PLAYER Is bound TO 90 stale IL he keeps az
the game throughout the entire year with
out a good rest. Mark my words, the
Giants and White SoX, who are making
the trip around the world, will suffer from
its effects before the close of the cham
pionship race of 1914 is over
Tom has been at the game a good many
years and is we'll qualified to speak on the
subject.
Jack Coombs says that instead OF losing
a sixteenth Of an inch IN height during
his recent illness, as was reported, he
gained a full inch. The star twirler Oh
the Athletics is spending the holidays on
his farm in Kennebunk. Me.
When Miller Higgins traded honetch!'
Mowrey and Harmon TO the Pirates
few days ago, one Of the reasons onered
was that he could not get along with the
THO and that he had TO get rid OF thefh
to preserve harmony in the st. LOUIS
club
The statement that Higgins could not
handle Konetchy did not occasion much
surprise, as the big first baseman mas
been trying 10 shake the dust or 81. LOUIS
Of his feet since 1872. but the news that
Higgins could not get along with NOW
rey was hard for the Mound City rams
10 believe. Up 20 last season Mowrey ana
Higgins were roommates while the cluo
was on the road, and were the best OF
pals.
The story is told by ST. Louis writer
as follows.
The Cardinals were in Pittsburg last
Fourth of July, for morning and atter-
noon games with the Pirates DURING
the morning game Mowrey met Two
friends who had travelled long ols-
lance 10 see him play. Mowrey lnvlted
them 10 the afternoon game ana pioih
ised TO get them passes. -
After the morning contest was S'S co
MoWrey went 70 Higgins ana asked IL
he would let him have two passes LOT
the afternoon game. The midget ieadet
turned down the request. saying tnat II
was against his practice. 49,, ia
We'll other managers 90 IT, saiu
Nowrey .,,..
We'll they may" shot back Hugglns'
but I won't. Go and see Seeskdihp'
He has all the passes. -, G.
Seeskamp Is the secretary OF tne ~,
Louis club. and none too popular WIZ"
Mowrey was furious and swore ven
geance. He purchased two tickets ior
his friends but then he would not pay
In the afternoon game and was throusII
with the ST Louis club forever. AIIer
much persuasion on their part ne IiidiIS
agreed 10 play but since then ne naS
hear with HugglnS. anu