The Washington times., 1914-02-21
GRIFFITH OPPOSES
RESTRICTING RULE
Does Not Think Advisable to Attempt to Stop Catcher Block
ing at the Pate-NatonaI League to Pass
on Case of Charley Murphy Today.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

Agitation for an alteration in base
balls rules prohibiting the catcher from
docking at the plate is opposed by
clark Griffith
There are no more expert backstops
IN the country in the matter of stopping
runners from sliding into the rubber
than are Ed Ainsmith and John Henry
but the practice has developed in the
last couple of years to such an extent
that on all close plays a catcher who
does not plant himself in the lines is
not considered as doing his duty.
There are two ways TO stop blocking
one is to leave it to the Judgment OF
the umpire whether the blocking is in
territorial and the other is to make the
catchers shed tleir shin guards said
The manager today.
'All blocking Is done on close plays
and IL you are going to force the UNI
pire to watch blocking and at the same
lime Judge whether the runner is out or
safe, you win get lot Of bad umpiring
As for forcing the catcher to do away
with his pads, you are taking an action
tIat would be unfair TO the catcher. A
bats, and such things as the catcher
- new called upon to do, should be
given all the protection possible. These
are the reasons / would leave plays at
rhe plate as they are
Mr.. Griffith received a postal from,
Herman Schaefer today. ON the back
Mr.. Schaefer wrote Jack Sheridan or
tered port, and what do you think
Port Said?"
At the meeting of the National
League in Cincinnati today it is ex-
pected that some final answer will come
10 the question as to what Is to be
done about Prof. Murphy, of Chicago.
Attorney B. Franklin Davis. This is
the latest title of the former George
town third baseman and track captain.
who has received notice that he sue
Ceeded in impressing the official scouts
10 such an extent that he Is entitled to
practice in the legal league. Yeaah
haw.
Jack Bentley was among callers at
the Grifithian suite this morning He
looks fit and is ready to rattle down to
Charlottesville with the first contingent
that leaves here Monday.
As We tango to press nothing has been
heard from Robert Groom.
Jake Stahl. former Washington man
aser will hold the tiller for the Brook
lyn Federal League Club according to
=
While nothing official has been given
out IL is understood the result of she
conference between Robert NJ. Ward,
the Brooklyn owner, and StahI was an
agreement whereby the latter is to cast
his fortune with the Feds and take
charge OF the aggregation that will op-
pose harley Ebbets' club in the city
across the bridge.
Following the talk between player and
owrer President Gilmore made this
state rent:
have no authority to give out any
tEing on the deal until Mr.. Ward con-
firms IL. The two had a long confer
cree at the Chicago Athletic Associa-
lion. but just what decision was
reached | cannot say. We hope to see
Jake at the head of the Brooklyn club
ana believe he will be the right man in
the right place
According to the New York Herald
rhls morning Stahl yesterday cabled
THIS Speaker advising the great outieId-
or not to s gn with the Boston Red Sox
This is taken as a conformation of the
rurnor in regard TO Stahl aniliat on
with the Feds. Speaker and Stahl have
long been friends, and If Stahl should