The Washington herald., 1920-02-01
Old Fox Would Ban Trades
After June | and DELHI
crate Base on Balls by
Pitchers.
By GEORGE L. MoRELAND.

President Clark Griffith has
been busy the past week prepar-
ing to enter the meeting of the
American League to be held in
Chicago next week. The new
magnate leaves for the Windy
City next Sunday in order to ar
rive in Chicago in time to talk
over several matters before the
A. L. gets down to business on
Tuesday, February 10.
Griff, who will be one of the
members of the rules committee,
has several propositions to pre-
sent, one of which is certain to be
adopted. If it is, it will put a
stop to all future suits and other
squabbleS such as have taken place
the past year.
The New Rule.
The sale of this pair was what
caused so much trouble and a split
among old friends of years stand
ing.
The new rule. which Griffith is to
present and which will have the
support of both President johnson
and the leaders of the Detroit, St
Louis, Athletics and Cleveland
clubs, is certain to pass 1t is a
rule that in the future will stop
the sale of any player from one club
in the American League to another
club of that organization. ef-
r,ctive JUNE 1. This will prevent
any further trouble like which has
happened.
The rule. of course. when adopted
will not prevent a club asking
waivers on any player. nor prevent
another club in the same league
from putting in a claim. as they do
at present But it will put a stop
to any club buying a star when
that star would help win a PEN
nant-
This is the best thing that has
been suggested and one that will
stop all future trouble.
Another New LAW.
Another rule that the local president
II introduce would stop pitchers
IN giving Intentional base on balls
alters.
ne will say that this can not he
but it can. When a pitcher
a batter an Intentional pass it
he left to the discretion of the
il in his opinion it is an in
nal pass. There is no pitcher
will not pass such batters as
Baker. Jackson and other bat
il they think they can get by
il. There is no way at PRESENT
nalizing the pitcher for it. But
- rule that Griffith is going to
- s,nt is adopted then it will pro-
a penalty that will stop the
~ time a twirler, in the opin-
"a of the umpire. gives the bat
opil on of the umpire. gives the bat
:er an intentional pass. then every
nan (baserunners. on the bases shall
move up a base. II there was a man
IN third and none out. with the game
1 tie and the home team at bat, not
1 pitcher is going to permit a batter
% get hold of one. He is going to
i'll up the bases with the next two
men in order to complete a double
,lay, and even if that fails he will be
10 worse off than if a hit was made.
,ut the chances are in favor of the
pitcher in most cases
Advance Runners.
Now il the runner was permitted to
advance a base on each Intentional
pass then the man on third would
;core. ending the game. That is ex-
Ictly what is needed. The chances
will be $3.50 with all clubs, so there
should be no kick.
When such batters as Ruth. Baker
Cobb, Jackson and many others are
Up no pitcher could take a chance
o walk these men Intentionally by
(eeping the ball just outside of the
corners Every one of them murder
hose kind. Bad balls are meat for
Ruth and Baker. The only way to
stop them from hitting is to keep
he ball so far away that it is i'm
possible for them to conect. 1t is
this that disgusts spectators and
one thing that must be stopped.
1t is a good rule and / hope the
little president can get il over.
Kid Leaguers Busy.
II there are any clubs with play
.rs weighing less than los pounds
zach and under IA that would like to
Join a very good little league just
organized for boys / would advise
them to get into communication
with President Alfred II. Bellman,
S715 Thirty-third street northeast,
where they will be able to get all
he information required. The league
will start its season about the first
Of April.