Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-08-29
KILL SPIRIT OF GAME.
Western league Head Dsolar0s Om'
pires Are lnjurine Game.


Kansas City Mo-, Aug. e9.--Frank
comments upon the ellis" of baseball.
with the declarations that aggressive
ness has been taken out Of professional
play by the unpires and heads OF many
leagues who were trying to mimic
Ban Johnson" were made here today
by r. w. Dickerson, president OF the
Western league. He asserted that loss
Of thrills for the spectator with poor
attendance as the result, has been
caused by too much penalizing OF
players who went into the game with
spirit and dash.
."The apparent falling off OF interest
In baseball in some parts Of the coun-
try. in nIS opinion. Is duo to the fact
that the life and fight has been taken
out Of It by book presidents who or
der their umpires to fine players when
ever they show the least signs Of ag-
gressiveness." Dickcrson said. ''The
result Is that the players have de-
termined not to throw their money
away and cease to display that spirit
which is to the public as seasoning is
to food.
There was, time when players
were more than aggressive and carried
things too far, so that 1t became neces-
sary to stamp out rowdyism. 1t was
then that Ban Johnson came into the
game and kept aggressive play within
the boundary lines Of decency by in
sisting on respect of umpires. Dozens
Of presidents since that time have gone
to an extreme. In doing so, they have
taken sentiment away from the players
and made them 60 about their work as
IL it were a cold blooded business
proposition.
What baseball needs Is the right for
the players to fight for every point
SO long as they do not delay the games
When they do so. the fans will fight
with them and go to the games be-
cause their feelings are aroused
sooner would fine player for visiting
on the field with an opposing player
than for charging when aroused over
some close decision. The public must
have It's illusions while games are IN
progress or half Of the pleasure is
taken away. Players who visit on the
field destroy that illusion.
''Show me a club that has scrappy
manager and bunch Of fighting play
gressiveness q crime, and will show
you a club that is doing paying bust
ness. Look back and see II the leagues
that have passed into nothingness are
not those which gave autocratic powers
to the umpires and denied the fans that
upon which their sentiments arc built
Umpires with chips on their shoulders
backed by presidents who were tryine
to mimic Ban johnson, have done more
to lessen the interest In baseball thar
all other causes combined.
There Is not the slightest reason
why baseball should be stopped on &C
count Of the war. In fact, baseball
should thriva even more now than In
times OF peace, for, when the boys,oi
America get into action the public VIII
wish to have its mind taken of these
somber things by baseball and other
sports.
Toronto has contributed more men
to the British army than perhaps any
city in the United States ever Will send
to Europe. Last year Toronto was the
only city in the International league
that played to a prdnt. This yea the
Toronto club will lead that league IN
attendance and the international Is
having one Of its best seasons.
1.-THE Western league stands for ag-
pressive baseball. It is playing TO
greater business this year than 1t mas
at any time since the Federal league
broke into the game and placed pre-
miums on unfaithfulneAs. thus lessen
ing the publics respect for the play
| ers.'