Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-07-04
BETTER SERY!tE FOR
 PATRONS AT BASEBALL
Players Of Cleveland Club Numbered That Casual Attendant May
 Identify Them,

New York, July 3.-That the big league baseball 1nagnates are stucy- ing ways and means to make the game still more attractive to it's patrons is evidenced by several suggestions and innovations now being discussed around the American and National circuits. The Cleveland club of the American league has just inaugurated a system of numbering the players in order that the casual attendant at the games may have no difficulty in identifying the different members of the team. President E. 3. Johnson is openly advocating the elimination of the pinch hitter and the system now in vogue of shifting pitchers upon e> slightest preteXt.
 There appears to be 9 st:onG senti- ment among the fans in favor c1 the plan of numbering the players, and it is surprising how few of the aver age spectators can point out with ab- solute certainty the various players upon the field, especially the members of the visiting club. Certain stars such as Ty Cobb, Johnny Evels, Benny Kauff, Walter Johnson, Grover Alex ander and others of similar calibre are easily distinguished when the team is in the field. Players of lesser fame, however, are frequently mixed by those spectators who do not attend games regularly, and the numbering of each member, both regular and sub stitute, should increase interest in the game. Certain close followers of base ball have already suggested that the numbering innovation be extended to include the distribution of free score cards, containing concise rules for keeping a box score, in order that every spectator be encouraged to fol- low the play with keener under standing of what is transpiring upon the diamond.
 There is not the same unanimlty re- gardino the proposed rule to eliminate the pinch hitter and relief pitcher. Some enthusiasts hold that the idea with certain limitations would improve the game, while others are equally positive that it would remove one of the most interesting features of base ball-strategy-which has been de- veloped to high standard in the big leagues. To those who delve below the surface of the national sport the battle of wits between managers and players is keenly appreciated. The switching of batters and pitchers at critical moments of the game ire quently developes sensational plays, and is in keeping with the American idea of bringing mental effort into sport as well as business.
 The announcement by Rube Oldring that he is through with baseball marks the passing of still another player who helped make the Philadelphia Athletics famous a few years ago. Oldring, who is 32 years old, began his base ball career with semi-professional team at the age of 20, and later was sold to the Athletics by the Montgom- cry club of the Southern league. In 1905 he was drafted by the New York Americans and the following season awarded to the Athletics, where, under Comic Mack, he played for period of 10 years.
 During his first year with the Athletics he played third base, after which he was moved to the outfied where he became a fixture. His best battinq year was in 1910 when he hit 1908. During his connection with the Athletics he helped in the winning of four American league champion ships and three worlds championships