The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-20
TOO .uICH PITCHER.
Need FOR Mobilization OF the Present
Highly scientific" Game.

To THE EpIToR or THE SUN---Sr. ]
have read with much interest several
communications and one editorial article
in THE Sun in regard to the present
condition of the national game The
whole thing may be very properly epito-
mized in the headline OF your editorial.
TOO Much Pitcher"
The letters seem to Indicate that your
correspondents "S." and "Capitoline" have
struck the pace of public feeling about
right, Mr.. John r. Fans" to the con-
trary Notwithstanding | am quite sure
that "Capltoline's" contention that both
Walter Johnson and Joe Wood are al
ways oppressed with the fear that they
may lnjure one Of the opposing batsmen
is correct. Most batSmen who face
speed merchant" take very good care
not to meet the ball with any portion Of
their anatomy. Consequently the very
reason that there are mot more men hit
by swift pitchers Ia the fact that they do
not step in" As a matter OF fact there
Is no use In trying to hit ball that can
not b. seen. SO the whole thing plainly
points to the fact that much OF the sue
cess Of these very speedy pitchers is
attributable to this Fan" ignores
very good criticism In regard to the
outnelders wearing gloves, and this may
account for his statement that IL is harder
to make runs nowadays than IL used TO be.
Small wonder that this Is the case
where certain pitchers hurl the ball at
such terrific speed that IL cannot he Sc H.
and outfielders are permitted to wear long
gloves with which they knock down what
should be two or three base hits or per-
haps home runs. The game as played by
the Boston. Chicago. Mutual and Athletic
mines OF the '7os-'sOs compared very
favorably with the games OF to-day. and
in point OF satisfaction to the onlookers
In much to be preferred. In skill, agility
and good sterling playing qualities the
players OF those days were as good as
the players of to-day Men like Al
Spalding George Wright. Ross Barnes
Deacon White. John ward. Buck Ewing,
Amos Rusie Dick Mcbride Al Reach and
many others OF that period may be dupll-
Gated to-day, but they have not been
surpassed.
believe the rihelike pitching Of the
present day will be modified in the near
future, TO the great enjoyment OF tho
spectators and the players az well. The
tedious spectacle OF the pitchers battle
will give way to the NOR" enjoyable
free batting game, which will bring out
all the qualities of the players in the most
advantageous way. We might carry the
scientific" part OF the game far enough
TO bring the game to that point where only
"a pitcher. catcher and the first baseman
would be n sufficient number OF men TO
win games. dispensing with the other
players. In fact. poor RUDE Waddell once
wagered that he felt himself fully COM
petent to meet an opposing nine In this
way. giving the six other players on his
side chance to sit on the bench and
watch him do the other fellows up. !
/ have an idea that this sort OF game
would immensely please the genuine fan.
such fan az us'd 10 flourish at the
POLO Grounds in the genius OF the stem
4 tor.an voice that used to emit We'll,
we'll :" at opportune and inopportune mo-
ments. | believe that Boston also laid
claim to a similar "ljitt" In the person of
iii HI DiNwcl"
! | am glad to know that THE Sun IL in
/ terested enough in sport TO join the ma
/ Jority in asking that the rules be modi-
| fled so that We have little more OF
the good old free batting games.
! CHARLES u. STANFORD.
THE ELMs. IPSWICH. Mass. July is.