New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-05
Ruling on "CinCinnati Hit" Open
to Some Criticism.
HIGH HOPE FOR BROOKLYN
At Least One Great Three Year
Old Looms Up for Revival
of Racing Here.
az HERBERT

BY HERBERT
Now that Ban Johnson, president Of the
American League. has ruled in favor OF
the so-called Cincinnati hit and has in
structed the official scorers in his organ
ization to act accordingly, the discussion
over this play in baseball has become more
general II seems rather incongruous
that an infield tap. which would be sure
death TO the batter if played to first base
should count as a hit if on a helders
choice some base runner is not forced at
second. third or home. Heretofore on
such a play it has been left to the judy
ment of the scorer as TO whether the bat
ter had chance TO beat the throw, IL
made to first base. in allowing hit or
not. but now il becomes automatic. Tor the
purpose. it is contended. to make the scor-
ing rules more uniform.
Personally | am not i'm favor OF the
new ruling. In the old days an error was
charged If a fielder got his hands on the
ball. no matter whether he had reason
able chance to field it or not. This was
changed and the judgment of the scorer
called into play TO encourage the men TO
go after everything and to prevent shirK-
ing on many hard hit balls In an effort 10
protect their fielding averages. IT wouid
be folly, for the sake of uniformity, 10 so
back to the old-fashioned rule of charS-
ing errors. and II seems to me that II IS
n mistake to now credit a man with hit
which is not hit 1t would be far bet
10 Judgment
of the scorer and when in doubt give
the batter the benefit by treating ii like
base on balls and not charging him with
time at bat This would protect the bats
man and be more equitable for all con-
cerned.
Bill Dahlen's Brooklyn team is begin
ming to loom up as the sensation OF the
National League. on two days last week
II was a case of-Giants lose. Yankees
lose. Superbas win. setting all precedent
topsyturvy There may he another story
TO tell when the Chicago Cubs arrive TO-
morrow to do battle on Ebbets Field, out
Judging from the way the team has been
going even Johnny Evers and his hght-
ing crew may strike snag. II is long
time since the loyal fans" of Brooklyn
have been reused TO such high pitch
and II the Superbas can continue as they
have begun. everybody across the bridge
will be going about with his hat off TO
Ebbets.'
With lust bit more stability the SUI
pcrbas would have first division team
and il is quite possible that this stability
may come as the season advances. AS
pointed out i'm this column three or four
veeks ago. the team has been improved
over a wear ago, and looks strong enough
ON paper TO easily head the second d.
vision. At least four games this year
have been lost by the narrow margin of
enc run. a habit Brooklyn acquired last
season In most cases. too. some niue
bobble in fielding or the failure TO hit In
a pinch has turned possible victory INTO
defeat. but in every game the team mas
been there. lighting and fighting hard.
while the players have been coached 10
take more chances on the bases ana 10
grasp opportunities that present them
selves. The old slump may come, nut IL
must not be forgotten that the GIANTS
have lost three out of four games to their
near neighbors, which in itself bespeaks
strength above the ordinary.
John j. McGraw seems TO be in doubt
about the place at shortstop. and there IS
really no telling just who the regular Is.
One day Arthur Shafer is on the JOB ana
another finds Arthur Fletcher filling the
position he occupied last year. AS mat
ter of fact, in the first fifteen games
plaved Shafer was at short field in seven
and Fletcher In seven. while they shared
the Mace in the ODD. Both are fast clever
plavers with little or no choice between
tbem but a number Of good judges insist
that the constant changing about op-
crates against the highest development Oh
team play. Be that as II may, McGra"
knows his business. and it is 10 cents 10 a
peanut that the means he is adopting VIII
eventually be justified by the ends accom-
pHshed
MATHIS days as a pitcher may be num-
bered. but the string Is not likely 10 ne
cut this year or even next, so far as that
Goes Like Hans Wagner and "Old "
yornq II takes something more than
,,,ore age TO rob him Of his wonderful
ski, and effectiveness. ! was Interested
IN a little tabuatiOn made after MS thliu
straight victory on a day last week
wherein he fought out brilliant due'
with Nap Rucker for thirteen innings De-
fore the Giants won by score OF TO o.
This tabuiation pointed out that In thirty
two innings he had allowed twenty-one
hits for three runs and given just two
bases on balls. An average or one Tree
mass 10 first base for every sixteen Inn
inos bespeaks his amazing control ana
etamps him the great pitcher he Is.
II Ran Johnson would only establish
pension fund for his umpires the cup
would be full for the autocrats OF the
American League. To their white uni
forms for special occasions mas now
peen added gold stars and service stripes
to show just how long they have oeen
able TO bear up under the sings and ar
rows of the outraged fans. what more
could be asked?
That phrase. What more couio DE
ssLed7'' brings TO mind the Yankees, OF
whom so much was expected and con-
cerning whom so little has been accom-