, 1923-10-10
BY HENRY l.. FARRELL
UNITED Press Sports Editor.l

NEW YORK. Oct. 1o.-tUnited
| club owners meet this winter to seek
remedies for any defects that might
have been apparent in the national
pastime" during the past season, It
Is probable that some relief for
| pitchers may be considered
1t is a generally accepted fact that
the restrictions placed upon pitchers
by tho rules enacted several years
back to curb illegal deliveries have
stopped trick pitching and practical
ly every other kind Of pitching.
The bars hat were raised against
the use of any foreign substance on
the ball and the Introduction of the
rabbit-ball vera designed primarily
to Increase hitting. The plans. II
they were such, surely succeeded
and now the rule makers find them
selves in a place where they feel
they should do something to curb
the excess of slugging.
From the statements of many Of
tho players. measures to make clout-
ing less of a common art were tried
out during the past eason when
some less lively balls were put IN
play. While hitting was no doubt
reduced. the difficulties OF the play
ers were increased because they
never knew how to play the bail.
The National League. It is under
stood. is willing to amend the pres
ent pitching rules to permit the use
- 1919 A. a--.-. - nIr@-,
pitchers TO get a better grip on the
ball. It was suggested that abuses
of the privilege could be avoided by
having the umpires place n small
sack of resin near the pitchers boz
and see that only a small amount
would be applied occasionally to the
finger tips.
Several National League clut
owners have expressed their mp
agree that pitchers have imposed
lupon them toe much of a handicap
and that the resultant hitting 81
hurting the game.
Soon after the present rules be
came effective It was realized tina
the obligation of handling a brant
new ball without violating tho rule
was decreasing the effectiveness o
pitchers and the umpires were In
= structed to remove as much gloss a
possible from the balls before the.
] were put in play.
a The only effective way of doinI
this was to wet the surface OF tn
: ball and this. too, had Its bad fea
e lures. because the cover wa
= softened and made the ball NOR
easily blemished and SCARED b.
: striking the screen. the earth or an.
part Of the stands.
Il 30 many balls were thrown GU
: of plny that the club owner In look
ing over the increase In their ex
penses decided hat somethin,
should be done.
Ban Johnson. president of tn
American League, instructed hi
umpires to be less hasty in throw
ing balls out Of play. but this ordei
imposed upon them n fine line o
distinction In Judgment as to wha
balls to leave in play when com
plants were made by tho batters.
While the National League is sail
to be ready to amend the pitching
rules. It is understood that thu
American League will not entertain
any such suggestions. Petty politics
and rivalry still exist in tho maJol
leagues and n league will not nc
cept the suggestions made by tn,
other. because It might be inter
preted as an admission OF better
judgment or wisdom on the part O.
the other.
American League club owners
have learned. at the cost of somt
dough that the Intentional pass also
needs some consideration. There Is