Evening journal., 1914-04-30
PITCHERS DISCUSS
NTENTInNnI DhcC
IIVILNlIUNRh IHDD
Expect President Graham to
Announce Policy on
the Rules
MANY SUGGESTIONS
ON THE SUBJECT

Managers and players of the vari-
Gus Tri-State League teams are
awaiting and expecting some an
nouncement from President George
N. Graham regarding the interpreta-
tion he places on the rules to govern
the national game this season. It Is
thought that II the league leader
comes out with a statement on policy
in deciding contentious it will elimin-
ate many possible controversies be-
tween clubs during the season.
The intentional pass is one OF the
things that is likely to come up for
consideration. Many of the big men
IN the game favor its elimination. In
cluded in this number is Ban john
son, president of the American
/ League. President Tenor, Of the Ma
! tional, has taken no stand. others
declare Il is a necessary part Of the
game
A great many suggestions have
been made by players. club officials
+ and scorers relative to the matter.
! The one most repeated is that to have
1 the catcher's box so narrow and
small that it will be impossible for
the pitcher TO deliver the ball with
out sending it within reach of the
! batsman.
Walter Johnson, the great Ameri-
can league twirler. however, sees no
merit in such a contention. He feels
/ that It would be an injustice to a
catcher to restrict him any more
than at present and makes the point
that when a pitcher desires to get
rid of a certain batter it will be an
easy matter for him TO hit him with
the ball. II the batsman sidesteps
the delivery the umpires will have
TO call ball" and four Of such de-
liveries will accomplish the same
I purpose as four pitched OUT
when a good hitter comes up with
runners on" declared Pitcher John
son, "the crowd is worked up to q
high pitch. If he hits, all is we'll
but II he is passed Intentionally, this
simply adds to the tenseness of the
situation. often the next man will
whale the ball out and win the game
so nothing is gained by this little bif
of strategy in allowing the first mar
TO walk.
people who are in the stands
want to see good baseball and ge
plenty Of excitement. The crowds
are now beginning to be so well edu
Gated in inside stuff that they appre
ciate the point when the intentiona
pass is used. But even to the casua
observer this little trick appeals, al
it keeps him keyed up, and he enjoyi
Il even if it should go against thl
team for which he is pulling.
"I think IL would be a mistake {,
do away with the intentional pass
On the other hand, I see no danger
as I cannot conceive how it could b.
accomplished.
Another proposed change that find
t, little sympathy Is the one that woul
/, penalize blocking at the plate. Som
, Of the games reformers have move
to compel the catchers to end th
practice of standing in the path whel
receiving a throw home. They sa
Il is dangerous to life and limb. Blu
they have found no cure. None O
the Washington catchers or pitcher
: will agree that the catchers shoul
4 be forced to wear shin guards
e these protectors were removed the re
5 ceivers would not be so prone {
s take their place in the lines. brac
1 themselves and ward of incomin
T. runners. This. according to tn
( players, would do an injustice to tn
A men who must be guarded agains
: foul tips as well as flying spike
e The opinion here is that blocking th
+ plate is in the sport to stay.