New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-12-27
bLES COMMITTEES
flavor new Plan
fayinS Field May Be Increased to
Prevent Numerous Home Runs

-
New York, Dec. 27-The rules COM
'mittees Of the two major leagues
John A. Heydler and Barney Drey-
FUSS of the National league and Pres
dent Ban Johnson OF the American
@eague--will get together to discuss
III the suggestions which have been
'nade for improving the game as soon
rs the National commission finishes
! Is raceting in Cincinnati next Tues
Eas. The meeting Of the rule MAX
Rrs will! probably be held at French
siciI, Ind. as in former years.
| One of the new rules which the
National league representatives will
4nhrnit for approval provides for a
Keeper outfeld. This affects rule No.
which now reads that the shortest
i air territory to the home base should
be 235 feet The new rule which
|yill be presented provides that the
$earcst fence or stand shall be no
ess than 270 feet away. If the Amer
can league also approves of the
mango, it will mean that the num-
ef OF home runs in both leagues
ext season will be far less than be-
brc.
This new rules is plainly aimed at
he short right fields in Philadelphia
nd at the Polo Grounds as well as
the close-lying fields stands in
ther cities. Most of the home runs
aade in Philadelphia and in New
ork are hit to right field. In Phil
delphia, they soar over the short
Fght field fence into Broad street,
lille at the Polo Grounds they fly
among the populace in the right
ED grandstand. a spot cherished
md made famous by John Franklin
Faker of Trappe. Md. who is now
nth the Yankees. The Philadelphia
ark is SO small that the ball play
rs call it the Bandbox park.
Ground Rule May Be Necessary.
The sad part of this new rule will
e that. if the right field stockade
Philadelphia and New York come
nder the 27O-foot limit. they can
OF be pushed back. and it will then
e necessary to adopt ground rule
uniting hits over the short barriers
, three. or even two, base hits. This
EiH be an awful blow to citizens like
Jenny Kauff. Davy Robertson, Frank
faker, and Wallie Pipp, to say moth
hg of left-handed htters like Lu-
erus, on the Phillies. 1t won't affect
avvy Cravath, because, although he
Rade his reputation as home run
Falloper by steering his blows over
he wall at Philadelphia, he will not
e with that club next season.
For several years there has been
Election from several. clubs because
the short right fields. in the ball
rounds Of Philadelphia, New York,
hicaso and certain other cities. Wis
ing managers have often tried to
Etablisl1 a ground rule at these parks
hitting the hits to two bases Dur
be- ono neriod at the Polo Grounds
hit striking against the upper tier
oxes was limited to two bases, while
its striking the front rail of the
teachers in left field also came under
ground rule. but of late years these
its go as home runs in both leagues
Tho American league teams, save
he Yankees wonId not be as hard
it by the new rules as the clubs OF
be older circuit. The fences in the
merican League parks are deeper
han those IN the National league, and
over home runs were made this
ear on Ban Johnson's circuit than
John *. Tener's league. There
rcre only two effective home run
1outcrs in the American league last
Jason and both were members Of
he Yankees. Walter Pipp led the
eague with twelve home runs while
faker had ten and would doubtless
ave had several others had he not
cen out of the game with injuries
br several weeks. Many of these
ONE runs were made into the right
ED stand at the Polo Grounds. The
bur- corner clouts in the National
hague were more numerous. Robert
bn of the Giants and Cy Williams or
he Cubs had twelve each while Cra-
ath of the Phillies had eleven. Benny
Eauff of the Giants and Zach Wheat
c the Brook1yns had nine each. Sew
bal of the batsmen had from four
b six during the last season.
Pitchers Likely TO Be Hard Hit.
This rule to push the fences back
270 feet isn't by any means the
nly change the Joint Rules commit
BE will consider. They will also
AXE I'D Percy D. Haughton's sug-