The New York herald., 1922-12-14

evening the rules committee was In
with the National League body thi
abolish the so-called 'phony' hom'
standardize the four base drive be-
league wants the shortest distance
be uniform in all parks, 1t intend
with zoning system.
While the change would affect both
the Polo Grounds and the new stadium
OF the Yankees to a great extent, it
also-~would strike at the short home
run at Philadelphia, st. Louis and
other cities The American League
went on record as feeling that the
public had tired of the promiscuous
hitting of circuit smashes and that
the frequency of home runs aided and
abetted by short fences and close
stands had cheapened this once bril-
liant feature of batting. The league
seems to have caught the public pulse
in that respect and there is little
doubt that next season will find
series of zones behind the foul lines
at the homes of the Yankees and the
Giants.
1t is quite likely that at both the
Polo Grounds and Yankee Field there
will be a line about forty feet beyond
the foul line in both right and left
field Balls slammed into the stands
between these two lines Will go as
triples. Home runs viii have to be
driven in beyond the forty foot mark.
The fiuke home runs in the bandbox OF
the Phillies will be abolished. The
.t&t Ice
slider a two base hit zone. 1t looks as
II the last fifty-four home run mark had
been made.
To Open on April is.
Tho American League created some
surprise when II announced that II had
decided to open its season on Wednes-
day, April 1S On Tuesday the National
League adopted April IT es its opening
day. On the surface it looks like a con-
fiict and the promise OF two distinct
opening dates for the major Leagues
no calamities in themselves. How
ever, the Joint Schedule Committee of
the majors will no doubt iron out that
point. Barney Dreyfuss said that he
did not see why the National could not
open on April IS too. so the 18th no
doubt it will be.
81 The meeting was quiet and serene.
bombshells. There was every indica-
ton OF an amicable attitude toward the
National League on which. it had been.
reported Ban Johnson had decided to
declare war. IL Ban had cooked ~ any
war he forgot it in Chicago.--and It
wasn't missed one bit here. This is no
time for sduabbing In the majors.
= The much talked about fund for dis
abled ball players ard their families
ooft Aa
finally was organized The league voted
10 set aside each year. for five years,
the sum of s10000 from the world se-
ries receipts. This fund of $4,000 viii
he used for the benefit of such players
as are in want. The once projected
home for disabled and aged ball play
,ers may develop out of this fund.
Act Against Pop BOTTLES.
There was considerable talk about pop
bottles and their effect on the domes of
american League players. The case OF
Witt of the Yankees. who was hit by a
bottle in st. Louis. was gone over at
some length. The league did not an
nounce that II concurred in the decision
that Witt had hit himself with that
bottle
q At any rate. the feeling was that a
ball park no longer was a fit place for
glassware. and an attempt will be made
TO serve pop in paper contaners-or not
OF all. The owners may provide a rub
ber pipe at each scat and arrange a
slot machine so that the insertion OF
dime viii start the flow of five mouth
fnls of the debated liquid refreshment.
IL is grave topic and must be handled
In serious way.
Another very serious matter which
came I'm for n lot of attention from the
ttfIC faln rr-ng hA gtrfs ~ NIL for
abuse. Clark Griffith said that some of
the unies displayed by visiting athletes
in the capital last season. looked as II
they had boen hshed out of the Missis
sippi. As result. a rule. was passed
pronto--a rule for cleanliness and spur-
ify. which stipulates that each player
shall own and possess. TO wit--two home
uniforms. one Of which shall be clean;
one road uniform. which must be clean,
also one extra road cap and one extra
pair of road stockings and pav.s These
must be neat and presentable and ready
for inspection by the League Inspector
Of Uniforms and Ham in the Ham Sand
r witches.
AS a result OF an important change in
the rules governing the claiming OF
players by the waiver route. clubs which
claim such men will not be able TO
Withdraw. The club asking for waivers
will have forty-eight hours in which 10
take back its request. but once team
has decided TO accept such n player. Il
must take him. 4Nsprcsent the rules al
low five days leeway In either case.
Harry Frazec who has been neglected
in the election Of the Board OF Direct
ors ever since the Big Jam once more
was passed up. The new board consists
OF Phil Ball. st. Louis Clark Griffith,
Washington: Thomas Shibe. Philadel-
phia, and r. s. Barnard. Cleveland.
The Rules Committee will be appointed
later. Ban johnson very likely win be
the leagues lone representative on the
Schedule Committee Frank Navin Of
Detroit was reelected vice-prcsident
a good part OF the day was devoted
70 discussion Of matters which will be
taken up at the Joint meeting with the
National League to-day
Col Til Huston. who had announced
the sale OF his stock in the Yankees TO
col. RUPERT the day before. was not
present az the meeting Col. Huston paid
his respects to Judge Lands and 20 some
~ the club owners and when asked IL
bc would take part i'm the deliberations
declared that he no longer was an
owner and did not feei>that he belonged
inside.