Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-12
PUT more pep
into BALL GAMES
Seek to Minimize Advantages
Of Pitcher Over Batter.
ELIMINATE THE SPlTBALL
Charley Hsrzos Suggests Widening Of
Foul Strike Zone-Widen the Homo
Plate, Says President Tener. Who
Was Once a Pitcher.

The good old game of baseball as she
has been played for number Of years
satisfies the public as II rule, Outside
of the warsome stuff and the squad
bles between the players and the
mighty pagnates, the fans are willing
to let well enough alone
But some of the higher ups in the
baseball biz have come out with the
opinion that changes should he made
III the rules which will enliyen the pas
time. And they probably know best.
Ways and means 10 put more ginger
into game of ball have been adj
vanced from many sources during the
winter, and they include everything
from the elimination OF the good old
spitball to the enlarging of the home
plate.
Governor John X. Tener who was
once a pitcher Of no mean ability. ad-
mits now what he would not have adj
mitted when he was trying to fool the
p"ttSio thot tuS Iit'uSiS navy wv
great an advantage under the rules
that now prevail.
The governor says that in his opin-
ion this advantage can be offset By
widening the home plate one inch and
cutting down the number of balls
which will entitle player to his base
from four to three Mr.. Tener argues
that the slightly larger plate will give
the pitchers greater confidence in their
ability to get the ball over the corners,
and the reduction In the number OF
balls will entice the ambitious batter
to swing oftener at the pill. AS long
! as he knows the pitcher will be trying
to get the apple over the pan the bat
ter will do less waiting at the platter,
and the result will be more hitting.
I II you'll think back to the days of
the Federal league you will no doubt
remember that the powers Of organ
lied ball scotfed at the idea of the
Feds in putting a. liyelier ball into
play. They attributed the fact that
many Of the Fed batters piled up big
averages to the very lively ball that
was used. They also said the pitchers
were far below the par Of the major
leagues. All these arguments were
well and good. But now comes John
McGraw with the expression that a
liveler ball Is the thing needed to pep
up the pastime in the majors today.
Charley Herzos says that foul
strike zone. which he would extend
from the home plate to first and third
bases, respectively. and in which ball
hit by the batsman would not count a.
first or second strike, would solve
the problem. The batter often hits foul
line drives just outside of first and
third bases, which, OF course, count
against him as strikes il he is not al
ready in q hole. But without such
strikes counted the batter would natu
rally be encouraged to swing harder
and oftener. Herzog's suggestion looks
plausible enough, and it certainly ia
7ors the batsman. Herzog is an in
fielder, not Il pitcher.
Percy Ilaughton Of the Braves Wonlt
, put the damper on the spitball and alst
shorten the distance to first base, there
by giving the batsman Il greater chance
against the pitcher and also the wing
, of the various inlielders, who Otter
throw him ont by one step.
All Of these suggestions could be pu
into use. AS the old saying goes. the,
can be tried ont. and baseball can at
ford to try most anything once.
no doubt there viii be some length
discussions at the meeting OF the join
i rules committee, and if some OF I'll
y higher ups in the game have their wa
changes will be made.
Il Give the public the fastest article
G ball you eau invent" says Govcrno
!, Tener. "and the public will show II
0 appreciation by attending the games !
greater numbers"