The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-09-22
REFORM SEEN
IN DIAMOND
SPORT
Chapman's Death Causes
Experts to Get Busy on
New Protector
ny II. C. HAMILTON

IsIAFF CORRESPONDENT l. N. sERvIcEl
NEW YORK. Sept. 22-The death OF
Ray Chapman, Cleveland shortstop.
through a blow on the head by pitch
ed ball. seems bound to bring about a
reform in baseball that has been sadly
needed for many years. Experts en-
ployed by sporting goods houses are
now at work on models for hard pro-
tectors which will be offered for gen.
eral use of batters very soon.
Had Chick Fewster been wearing a
protector to pad his head he would be
playing as a regular with the Yankees
today. If Roy Corhan had been using
one when with the White Sox he prob
ably would be in the big league. and 1t
is more than probable that Frank
Chance would have lasted longer if he
had not abandoned his plan to wear q
helmet of his own design.
Chance, when a member of the Cubs
and managing that club. was one OF
the gamest batters baseball ever has
known. He was knocked cold several
times when hit on the head by pitched
balls. and on few of these occasions
1t was problematical whether he would
recover sufficiently to resume playing
ball. After his second connection with
a fast ball the Cub leader determined
to have made a leather helmet to pro-
tect his head and actually took it to
the park with him for use 1t was not
satisfactory. however, and he soon dis
carded it,
What form the helmet Will take is a
matter for considerable speculation.
Already it has been suggested that a
protector something like those worn
by aviators might be used. Football
Chances are, however. that the ulti-
mate design Will be a strip of stir
leather extending completely around
the head, reaching below the temples
and above the eyes. Two straps cross
ing each other at the top probably will
hold it to the top of the head These
will form a cushion on top of the head.
Heavy felt, with an air cushion prob
ably will form the padding. chin
strap would complete this protective
device. which would be light and with
out an aviator's helmet would give q
ball player.
The question Is a serious one. Now
that the emery ball, shine ball. and
other deceptive tricks of baseball have
been ruled out of the game batters are
becoming more bold. They crowd the
plate more closely because they know
there Is email chance for a swift break
If the bail is not scuffed. Chapman
probably lost his life because the hai
Mays used was scufred and took the
fatal hop as it neared batter.
Gloves to soften the impact OF the
ball was derided when they first made
their appearance. So was the catcher's
breastpad. and the safeguards invented
by Roger Bresnahan and now used by
every catcher. Players have chuckfed
when 1t was suggested a head protec-
tor be used by them, but the two re-
cent injuries to athletes probably will
do away with any ridicule that might
otherwise be offered.
Chick Fewster's injury was prac-
ticaly as bad as the one received by
Chapman. That he Is alive today Is
due only to the extraordinary skill Of
the surgeons who attended him and tho
fact that he was physically able to
withstand the very delicate operation
that was performed Immediately.
Chapman's death makes it necessary
for preventive measures. They will be
taken