New Britain herald., 1918-01-22
LEAGUE MAGNATES
 TO HOLD MEETING
Many Pitchers Would Be Affected
 by Rule to Abolish Rules

New York, Jan. 22.-A joint con ference of the club owners of the Ma tional and American leagues will be held in this city some time about the middle of February if certain prom inent National magnates have thclr way. Great good resulted from the joint meeting held in Chicago last mid December, and no expense will be involved in another such confab. The annual schedule meeting of the Ma tional league has been called for this city on Tuesday, February 12. The American league invariably meets here the day following. Ban Johnson has shown no disposition as yet to pull away from this customary spring routine, though he has not announced d date of meeting.
 Certain prominent forces of the Ma tional league believe a joint confer ence may develop great general good if certain legislation regarding rules may be effected. This, of course, re- quires mutual consent. The outburst of Barney Dreyfuss against the spit ball and kindred freak deliveries eX- pressed no personal view. The sole object of the campaign against the splitter has in mind renewal of ln- terest in the national pastime by pre- cipitating more action. More than a. year ago Percy D. HauGhton, presi- dent of the Boston Braves, suggested a number of radical changes in tho rules. He had in mind the increasing of hitting which directly would in nuonce all other departments, base running, fielding, run scoring and tho l like.
 MT. Haughton brought up this same l subject at Chicago. The matter was | laid over, however, because of lack Of 1 time for thorough discussion. Mean while Percy D. Haughton has won over to his viewpoint number of his National league colleagues, and these will be able to make a strong representation in case the two leagues get together for argument.
 Against the SpitbaN.
 | The American association at it's an nual meeting some time ago put up the bars against the spthall, emery ball, shine ball, knuckle ball and kindred freak deliveries. This move was defended as a means toward in creased action as well as toward speed for invariably the manipulators of | freak styles are unusually slow i workers.
 It is scarcely likely that the major l leagues would wish to effect such d radical change to become operative at l once. Too many good pitchers would 1 be affected at a time when the big | game can afford to lose no more stars But there is better than an even chance that the Spitball and shine ball will be attacked so vigorously that a time limit of, say, two years. will be raised against them. That grace would give those whose chief stock in trade the freak deliveries are, plenty of time to specialize on the ac- cepted legitimate.
 It has also been learned that there is a strong sentiment among National league club owners which may prompt a suggestion to cut down the number of called balls cntitling the batsman to his base from four to three. It is felt the defensive end of the game especially that part appertaining to pitching, has gained a decided mastery over the offensive. A "three-ball rule is a logical proposition and should meet With the most serious consideration.