El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-10-20
BASEBALL PLAYERS FRATERNITY
MAKES PLANS F0RFA5TER CANES
Fans go to Baseball Park to See Competition and Have
Minds Diverted and They Expect Quick Action on
Part of Players; DilatOry Tactics Of Performers
on Teams Diminish Interest in Contest
BY THOMAS $. RICE.

LANS are already being formu-
Dlated by the officers of the Base
i ball Players Fraternity to make
the big league games faster next sea
, son. President Fultz, Of the Fraternity.
issued a very sensible. appeal to the
members along that line in the middle
Of the present campaign
He pointed out that baseball was ex-
periencing a lean year, and would
probably have another in 1916. because
Of the European war and unsettled
business conditions He urged that the
players move to and fro from their po-
sitions between innings on the run,
cause no needless delays in batting, and
otherwise pepperize the pastime, so 10
speak, in order to make il as attractive,
and, therefore, as profitable as possible.
For a while Fultzs words bore fruit.
but recently games Of few runs have
been extending from two hours TO two
hours and a half, because OF the dila-
tory and lackadaisfcal tactics Of the
performers. This has tended to disgust
many Of the fans who dig into their
jeans to furnish the wages for these
neglected persons The fraternity has
taken up the subject again, and may
recommend drastic legislation by the
powers OF baseball in order to spur the
lazy athletes to a more seemly activity
Campaign for Speeding.
Jake Daubert is an ardent booster OF
the campaign for speeding on the dia-
mond. and is in favor OF the suggested
legislation. said he:
1T is a crime against their intelli-
gence and their incomes for ball play
ers 70 waste as much time as they do
now in the course Of nine innings.
Baseball differs from football, lacrosse,
hockey and such sports, in that all the
participants are not engaged all the
time For that reason il is easy for a
ball game 10 become dreary and draggy,
unless all are on their toes and creating
the impression that something is going
to happen every minute
I'm a close contest. where the pitch
ing is good on both sides and runs are
few. the fans may see compare lively .
little action. A game at Ebbets Field. I
George Tyler, and Boston made two Off
Ed Pfeffer, was a case in point II was
a perfect exhibition. yet there were few
occasions for thrilling stunts.
Fans Expect Quick Action.
Fans go to a baseball park not only
to see the competition, but to enjoy The I
open air and to have their minds di-
verted. In other words, baseball is an
amusement, with local patriotism as an
added zest- That's what the spectators I
pay for. and il is up TO the men max I
ing living out Of the sport to keep !
those ticket buyers interested all the |
time
When they do not. they are not de- !
livering the goods to the purchasers,
who are the fans. want to see the /
players 90 at their work with vim and |
snap. They should hustle to their posi-
lions and from their positions as il 4
there were going TO be big doings right l
away. No batter should wait 10 be I
called by the umpire. When at the ]
plate useless stepping out Of the box 1
and killing time should be forbidden. !
Also. the pitchers should not be allowed I
to loaf.
IT have been in some games this sea 4
son that were disgrace, and knew il. /