The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-12
INTENTIONAL PASS
GIVEN BABE RUTH
CAUSES BATTLE
Big Bambino Protests at Be-
ing Walked So Much and
Rules Regarding Passes
Likely to Undergo Change.

NEW YORK, Aug 1.-THE interna.
tional pass rule in baseball is consum-
ing the interest of fans all over the
country--and, strangely enough, be-
cause Babe Ruth, representative OF
New York, is the cause of most of the
indignation.
The intentional pass thing has been
thorny sticker in the side of baseball
for years and years: The fans never
selves. although taking advantage of
1t whenever it was thought necessary,
nevertheless, have often admitted that,
at best, 1t was rather shady piece of
work.
Baseball is the only game in which
star player may be made impotent
through distortion of the rules. There
isn't another sport where an offensive
weapon of great strength can be turned
to nothing simply by refusing to admit
the spirit of a rule
tee of the major leagues got together
in bold effort to do away with the
intentional pass. The result was that
ruling was made which forbade
catcher stepping from his box before
a pitch was delivered. 1t therefore
became necessary only for the catcher
to jump out of. the box after the pitch
was made. what a lot of rot that rule
is! 1t doesn't even begin to correct the
fault the rules committee sought to
eliminate. And to a man on the side
lines it looks very much as il the rules
committee knew 1t wouldn't work.
Correct Playing Code.
1t is asking a lot of baseball to cor
rect its playing code to benefit one per-
sonage. There probably won't be an
other Ruth around for good many
years, but arguments that include this
statement do not take into account the
Speakers, Jacksons, Cobbs, Hornsbys,
Wheats and other luminaries, who suf
fer constantly from violation of the
international pass rule. FAndom has
been roaring for years over the rule.
The fact that Ruth is being walked time
after time has added fuel to the flames.
The fans know and so do the magnates
that the, base on balls was intended
as penalty for poor pitching. 1t never
was and never could be construed 9th
erwise, yet pitchers are daily using it
to their advantage.
Consider the case of the Yankees If
no other argument is to be used against
the walk The two colonies who own
this baseball club paid lots of money
to get into their lineup this wonderful
slugger They not only believed he
would be a whale of an attraction, but
they also considered 1t probable he
would be able to bat the team into
pennant. He has been passed so many
times with runners on, bases, or when
q run might win pail game without
anyone on base that the fans have be-
come disguised with the proceedings.
Has Hurt Yankees.
The Yankees have hc"ered within
shooting distance of first place all sea
son long. There isn't a shadow Of
doubt in the minds OF their followers
that theyPwould be resting on top to-
day If Babe Ruth had been allowed
TO hit every time he walked to the
plate There are numerous baseball
games in the lost column of the Yankee
standing that might have been won
with lusty wallop. Ruth has been
deliberately passed in many Of these.
The joint rules committee certainly
will have to take cognizance Of the
shortcomings OF the code when Il
meets again next winter. They will
have to make a change that will abso-
lutely eradicate the intentional frank
TO first or face a roaring multitude Of
fans who will be crying for their blood.
II really is serious situation in the
minds Of the supporters Of the game.
Magnates themselves may feel that the
intentional pass should remain, but II
thev are wise they will hearken to the
rumblng before it is too late.