The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-02-12
WOULD CHANGE:
BASEBALL CODE
Object to Passing OF Heavy Hit.
tiers and Stealing of Signs

Chicago. Feb. 12.-When the joint
niles committee, representing the ma
ior leagues meets this month two rad
teal changes i'm the code will be sug-
pested for consideration John j. Ey-
ery. manager of the Chicago Cubs, be-
Iieycs for various reasons that the
number Of called balls should be re-
duced from four to three and that men
on second and third bases should move
M when a pass is purposely handed
10 heavy batsman. other baseball
men advocate a measure expected To
do away with the practice of stealing
signs. The Cubs enterprising mana
ger explains the idea in this way:
when a pitcher Intentionally gives
a base on balls to heavy hitter to
get a weaker one to the plate, base
ball crowds usually cry out i'm protest.
1t is often the case that players will
reach third and second bases with a
strong batsman coming up. The lat
ter is passed purposely and the next
man. a comparatively poor hitter, is
disposed of easily
Under the rule ] intend To submit
10 the Joint committee this practice
would be abolished. If the pitcher
walked a big hitter with q man on
third the latter would be permitted To
score a run, while the man on second
would so To third 1t is my idea that
pitcher should be compelled To put
Tie ball over the plate under these
conditions, if only to improve the bat
ting and run-making.
The foul strike rule has increased
the effectiveness of the pitcher To an
alarming degree so that, i'm my opin-
jon, they should not be allowed 10
t.lhtcn their grip on the batsman.
That is why | will suggest that tn
humber of called balls be reduced from
four to three. Then it would be inn
possible fer a pitcher to waste balls
10 handicap the chances of baserun-
utrs'
Several baseball men who discussed
Eycrs' suggestions seemed to think
that the three-ball idea might nnI
favor as it would tend to lessen the
effectiveness Of the boXmen, but they
also argued mat If the intention" OF
pitcher in giving a pass was left IL
the Judgment of an umpire wrangling
on the ball field would be greatly in.
creased.
The stealing OF signs has come to be
am evil which some of the best known
cub-owncrs are anxious TO squelch.
Stealing the signs doesn't always
meant that the coachers on the lines
detect the signals in the catchers'
mitts for the guidance If the men ia
the box. 1t is often the case that keen
observers among the players observe
certain poculiarities i'm the delivery
used by pitcher who tips off the
KIND Of ball To look for at the plate.
The Athletics perfected this method
Of getting onto the signals some
imc ago, the belief being that Chief
Bender was wizard in this respect
when stationed on the third base
coaching line.
But the magEates who think that
H." catchcr's signs are easily read by
The catchers at first and third bases
have remedy in the shape IF rule
thal VIII move the coaching lines back
at least six feet further away from
The base paths so that 1t will be ply
SIcally impossible To get in a line of
vision with the interior of the back
Stops gloves. II was made serious
"H'hse two years ago to rig M sig
hdl-upping bureau behind the outfieid
fence, from which with the aid of
powerful glasses man could see the
'a'chcr's signs and then telegraph"
'hem tc the batsman. In the Ameri
can league it is understuu. tina; cx-
PNlSIon must he the fate of mana
ger under whose auspices "A tippins
bureau is conducted. whether he ad.
illlS that he knows ID or not