Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-23
BAN TAKES HOT SHOT
At BASEBALL WRITERS
American League Head Calls
Scorers Inefficient and
irresponsible.
icy Associated Prcss.1

CHICAGO. Dec 22.-Presidcnt II. r.
Johnson, OF the American League. in
a letter tonight TO President +. G.
lheh, Of tho New York seball Writ
ors Association. IN which he asserted
baseball Official scorers "ln many
cases arc grossly lacking in eff
cheney md esponsibility," advised
the Baseball Writers Association 10
put their own house in order before
sending mo scurrilous and question
able complaints" on the Ty Cobb
hit controversy.
Tho New York chapter OF the Base
ha!l Writers Association recently
adopted and forwarded TO President
Johnson protest against the lat
icr's action In disCardinE tho box
scor" OF the official scorer in De-
tr"tt-fankec game at New York last
May. In substituting the Associated
Fr"ss box score Of the game. Ty Cobb
gained one more hit. making his 1922
batting average .i0l.
President Johnson's letter follows:
Your letter Of recent date. inclo>.
ing a clipping from some paper Of
resolutions passed by tho New York
chapter of the Baseball Writer'S As
ISOLATION. was received. ! knew
nothing OF the controversy over .Ty
Cobb's batting average until il was
called 10 my attention In tho public
press.
mir. Irwin Howe Is the official sta
tistician OF the American League and
has filled that position tor several
years All official scores. when re-
cc!vcd at this office. ARE at once
transmitted TO him when the Cobb
incident occurred requested re-
port and the official score nf the
game of May L. Mr. Howe had pre-
riously made a careful Investigation
OF all facts surrounding the scoring
OF that day.
The official sheet was not signed
and was plainly in error in one other
PARTICULAR that tended to make value
loss the pitching records. The Asso-
ciatcd Press score OF the game Of May
- was accepted, and with my in
dorsement. You scored the game for
Tn" Associated Press that day and
credited Cobb with h!:. Arc We 10
believe that YOU reversed your judg-
m"ut nj this late date
This Office has no dircc; dealings
with the Official scorers They are
appointed by the clubs in the various
cities and experience has plainly
shown that In many cases they are
grossly lacking in efficiency and re-
sponsibility.
Extending through period OF:
several years. this OFFICE has had
much difficulty IN securing tn" off
c!al scores. and IN some instance,
non" was received after much t"lc-
graphing and correspondence" Mr..
Howe a. times :;om sheer necessity
was compelled 20 accept the .Asso-
ciated press accounts. ! have clear
" IA mind an occurrence Of last sea-
SON The Hrst official scorer in a
certain city sent In his reports
prol~,tv From that point the d!f-
a.G!'.cs - This on!c" multiplied. Let
tsrs 'sleCrars and threats failed 10
r-urur" mo desired scores The SOC
rotary ~ the clan called a. my chi
raGo aH.c" one moru!"= promptiy
took him t. TASK for Tho seventeen
missing scores Mr johnson the o.
fcia! scorer IL wlfh the club You
wI have his report Within INC next
.wc'. four hagrs weeks and
mouth, hav. passe! 'hoy have no.
h,,i received - was necessary FOR
ne 60 ap9o!n, scorer in that city.
i!" r,rg'i,. ur tur'y-twn games md
q check vas sent ban .rou this ~ Ice.
TO iue II would seem tte par;
~ wisdom and prudence for tho
Baseball Wr.tcrs TO plt their rousc
In order before sending scu-u!ous
and CuestiOnanin comp!aints.'