Evening star., 1923-06-10

n slams over the right field
fence, as an article of tech
nical investigation and scientific re-
search, seems to most of US as much
case of mistaken identity as to at
tempt to classify the remnant red
skins of the western plains as men,
bers of the Semetic race. Although
base ball and science, so far as the
ken Of the average "fan" goes, are
not intimately interrelated, strange
to tell, some of Uncle Sans hired
specialists have tackled and solved
unusual problems associated with
base ball efficiency, durability and
composition.
If such question as, How good
is q certain base ball and how long
will 1t last?" came in your mail or
mine some fine morning, with the
understanding that we must submit
satisfactory reports and data within
the week, the chances are that we
would subject base balls of the make
in question to the most rigorous of
wear and tear and active service
tests. Mayhap, we would go down
on the White Lot with come of the
ball players, and tat and throw and
abuse and misuse the balls IN every
way possible, In order TO see how
long they would last.
Our investigation would be one of
assault and battery-a siege of the
kind of violence that the leading
home-run hitters call into reserve to
L..
annihilation of the horsehide sphe-
roid.
Our way, however, is not the way
that the cool, calculating scientist
follows in his investigation, dissec-
section and detailed study of the
lowly base ball.
T. X. McGowan Of the Department
of Commerce, textile expert of iu-
ternatIonal prominence. has made a
technical study Of the American
base ball and has devised laboratory
methods of testing the hide-bound
yarn and rubber pellet which dag
nose its efficiency and durability as
comprehensively as field Of play
service.
Mr.. McGowan has originated appa-
ratus and perfected testing methods
which are productive Of valuable data
about the l;veliness. resiliency ard
durability Of the base ball. He tests
the tensile strength Of the leather
cover as we'll as the thread and yar,
used in winding the hall. He has
studied the best combination ~ coz
ton and woolen yarns TO us and +he
most satisfactory systems of wind-
ing these materials IN building up the
base ball
Our most popular national sport
will benefit Is q result Of these in
vestigations that eliminate the trade
secrets from ball manufacture
= 4 X ;.
THE distance that the base ball
l. will carry when hit cleanly by
the professional player depends not
alone on the muscle and force that
he brings into play, but also on the
| liveliness of the spheroid and the
resiiiency Of the materials of which
1t is made. AS far as possible, base
ball construction has been standard
lied.
Generally speaking, there is no
preponderance of home-run hitting
or exceptionally heavy batting in any
one year, becausce the type and quail
ity of the best balls do not vary
! materially. BY slight changes Of
material that is used in making the
ball or by making this or that altera-
ton in the method of winding and the
proportion of wool and cotton used
and by using larger rubber cores,
balls could be produced that would
travel farther when hit, due to greater
| liveliness. The conservative tenden-
cies of the base ball authorities are,
however, to maintain the game and
conditions Of play as similar as pos
sible year after year.
All drastic changes in base ball