The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-08-30
is INTEREST IN BASEBALL
BEGINNING TO DECLINE?
Constant Filming of Players Takes Snap
Away, Is Charge

Kansas City, Mo, Aug. 30.-Franlt
comments upon the ills" of baseball
with the declarations that aggressive
ness has been taken out of professional
play with the umpires and heads Of
many leagues "who were trying to
mimic Ban Johnson" were made here
today by Il. 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 play.
ers who went into the games with spir.
ii and dash
THE apparent falling off Of interest
in baseball in some parts Of the coun-
try, in my opinion, is due to the fact
that the life and fight has been taken
out Of it by book" presidents who order
their umpires to fine players whenever
they show the least signs of aggres-
siveness," Dickerson said. THE result
is that the players have determined not
TO throw their money away and cease
TO display that spirit which is to the
public as seasoning is to food.
In Good Old Days.
There was a time when players
were more than aggressive and carried
things too far, so that it became nee.
essary 20 stamp out rowdyism. 1t was
then that Ban Johnson came into the
game and kept aggressive play within
the boundary lines Of decency by I'm.
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 go about their work
as if it We're 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 90 TO the games because
their feelings are aroused ! sooner
would fine a player for visiting on the
field with an opposing player than for
charging when aroused over some
close decision. The public must have
/ its Illusions while games are in pro.
gress or half Of the pleasure is taken
away. Players who visit on the field
destroy that illusion.
Scrappcrs Draw Crowds.
SHOW me club that has a scrappy
manager and a bunch of fighting play
ers in a league that does not make ag
grcssivcness crime. and l will show
YOU a club that is doing a paying bust
8 ness Look back and see if the leagues
7 that have passed into nothinIness are
not those which gave autocratic pow
ers 90 the umpires and denied the fans
that upon which their sentiments are
built Umpircs with chips on then
{ shoulders. backed 10y presidents VIII,
! were trying 90 mimic Ban Johnson. have
, done more 20 lessen the interest ir
q baseball than an other causes combined
There is not the slightest reasor
why baseball should be stopped on aG
count of the war I'm fact, baseball
should thrive even more now than fl
times " peace, for when the boys o.
- America get into action the public vii
wish 90 have It's mind taken off thes,
sombcr things 10y baseball and othe
rporte
Toronto has contributed more me!
, TO The British army than perhaps am,
/, city iu the United States ever will sen,
/ 20 Europe. Last year Toronto was tin
=, only city in the International leagu
y that played 20 a profit This year th
. Toronto club win lead that league ID
attendance and tine international is hay
. n- one of It's best seasons
The Western league stands for a-
. r-essiye baseball II is playing 60