The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-14
MOGULS BROWN ON
 CIRCUIT TBLOWSAND| BOTTLE THROWING!
Big Trade Between Tanks and Sox Hasn't
 MateriaIized
tNo oo e SPonrE

NEW YORK, December 13.-The American League at it's annual meet ing today took action to check what it regarded as two detriments to the national game-home run hitting and pop bottle throwing.
 The club owners recommended to the joint rules committee, represent ing both the American and National leagues, that home run zones be es- tablished in all big league parks to curb the abnormal growth of circuit hitting and urged that steps be taken 10 regulate the sale of soft drinks so that fans no longer would be tempted to use the bottles as missiles
 The league, which closed it's 1923 sessions late today, also voted to open the season "Wednesday, April IS, and decided to establish fund of s5e,000 to aid disabled ball players or their families by setting aside s10.o00 annually for five years beginning Ill 1923, from the American leagues s share of the world series receipts.
 Adjustment of opening dates with the national league which yesterday decided to start the 1923 campaign Tuesday. April IT, was left to the joint schedule committee with the understanding, it was said. that the older organization would agree to &ApiIl 10 tS u JOl0l
 To Curb Slugging
 The action designed t6 curb home run hitting was the result of de- cision of the majority of club owners that the increased heavy batting was a detriment to the popularity of the game. While details of the zoning play will be left to the rules com mittee. members of which will be appointed later by the presidents Of the two leagues, it was generally be- lieved that a distance of 800 feet out side of which home runs would be allowed in parks where short fences or stands abutting on the playing field afforded easy marks for heavy hitters.
 Colonel Jacob Ruppert, Yankee Cwn- CT, was understood to have opposed the zoning scheme. which among others would have marked effect on the home run achievements of Babe Ruth who established the in- dividual mark fer all time in 1921 with 50 homers. The peak in league home run records was reached last year when batsmen in the two leagues collected 1.054 circuit blows. more than 100 in excess of the best previous mark. 93S. made in 1921.
 Big Deal SHll Pending
 Discussion of player deals in American league circles centered around the reported offer of the New York Yankees tC trade Bob Meusel, Aaron Ward and pitcher to the Chicago White Sox for Collins and Kerr. but later in the day both clubs said the deal wis still in the air.
 "We have made the Chicago club a definite proposition for Collins" Colonel Rupper said, but as yet have ,fs rpn1vb
 It was later said that the deal hinges on Kerr who failed to report last year. being reinstated by Com missioner Bandis for the 1928 season but MT. Landis declared he had re- eeived no application from Kerr and that so far nothing had been done in the pitchers behalf.
 One important deal announced was. the purchase by tho St. Louis Browns for St5,000 of Hollis Thurston. pitcher from the Salt Lake City club of the Pacific coast league.
 Frank J. Navin, president of the Detroit club, was reelected vice president of the junior league and the board of directors was elected as fol- lows; Phillip D. c. Ball, St. Louis; F. s. Bernard, Cleveland; Clark Griffith. Washington, and Thomas Shibe. Philadelphia. The Cleveland club succeeds Detroit in representa- ton on the board. President B. E. Johnson retains office under c0- year term to which he was elected in 1910.