The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-11-01
OFFICIALS A UNIT
OPPOSING SPLITTER
Heydler, Ebbets, McGraw,
Foster and Robinson Against
Freak Deliveries.
BY GEORGE d. UNDER WOOD.

That quick and favorable action is
likely to be taken on Ban Johnson's
recommendation to abolish the spit
ball and all freak deliveries was
indicated by inquiries along this sec
tor of the baseball front yester-
day. John Heydler, president of the
National League; John McGraw and
John Foster of the Giants. President
Charles H. Ebbets and Uncle wilbert
Robinson of the Dodgers are heartily
In favor of abolishing the freak deliv-
cries.
Col. Huston and Harry Sparrow of the
Yankees were noncommittal, saying the
influence of the Yankees would be cast
either for or against as Manager Miller
Higgins might dictate. While Miller
has not been rabid against freak deliv-
cries he never has shown any great
favoritism for them. Higgins is likely
to fall in line with the rest of the pro-
cession and come out for straight pitch
ing.
The National League long ago de-
, clared itself against the splitter and other
freak deliveries" said President Heydler.
Il am glad of Mr.. Johnson's recommen-
dation to the National Commission, for
come around to our way OF thinking and
hence 1t will be an easy thing to legis-
late against the splitter.
There can't be any halfway action
taken. The rule the joint rules COM
mittee will frame must be a drastic one,
| prohibiting a pitcher from moistening
hand or glove, raising the ball above
the shoulder before the act of delivery,
or rubbing the ball on his person, uni
60 trt r,,l. xtttll oh oh
freak deliveries for once and for all"
Must Consider Veterans.
While declaring his opposition to the
splitter and all freak deliveries. Presi-
dent Ebbets of the Dodgers said it would
be only fair to some of the pitchers
now earning their livelihood in the big
| leagues TO give them a reasonable
! amount Of time to change their deliv-
cries.
IT strongly am in favor of abollshing
the spitball. emery ball, talcum ball,
shine ball and all other artificial pitch
| ing deliveries" said the Squire. "A
| batsman Is not allowed to tamper with
his bat, fiatten II or put lead in It.
| There is no more reason why pitcher
should be allowed to use artificial means
for increasing his pitching effectiveness
But in justice to some of the pitchers
| who have been and are earning their
livelihood with the spitball think what
| ever legislation Is passed against the
| splitter should contain a clause per
hitting the veterans who have been de-
pending principally on their splitter a
| reasonable amount to time to develop q
new delivery. II isn't right to suddenly
reduce their effectiveness, and conse
quently their earning ability. without
giving them a fair chance to develop g
new style. 1t would be a good idea e
permit the veteran spitball users t
continue their delivery for season. bu
at once bar newcomers from using th'
ball. Then 1921 can be the deadline fo
every one"
"A good pitcher need not use spitte
or any other freak delivery" declares
John McGraw. John Foster. secretar!
of the Giants. backs him up with, I'm
against all freak deliveries, particular!
the so-oalled splitter Expectorating OIL
the ball is unsanitary TO say the least.
In answer to a telegram asking Man
ager Robinson of the Dodgers his opn
ion of freak deliveries Uncle WILDER
wired: "Nevcr had any use for tn
splitter or anything except straight pitch
ing. II doesn't make any difference I,
me. however, whether they abolish it o
not. Anything will suit me. What il
fair for one is fair for all"