Evening star., 1923-02-15

With Johnson the only northpaw of
established worth on the local ros-
ter; and Portsiders Mogridge, Zachary
and Brillheart looming as his "regu-
lar" assistants, the necessity for OBJ
tanning a capable righthander to bal
ance the staff is urgent. There al
ways is the possibility, of course. that
such a finger will be discovered
among the list of youngsters round
ed up for inspection at Tampa-flol-
lingsworth, Beach. Hankins, McGrew
and Potter--but the chances are all
against it.. Annually number OF
of the training period only to wilt
and be culled when the eve OF the
championship season arrives. GrlH
will try his durndest. He still has
quality, but his chances for success
are anything but bright.
umpires Would Decide.
The home run zone scheme is sched.
uled for speedy interment, and GRIN
admits he fears as much. Accoroins
to his plan. which is said TO nave ire
Endorsement of Ban Johnson. anu 50
lar as can be learned. no one else,
is based on the theory that nome
run should be 4 drive that traVeis
certain distance from the nome pla.e.
Hits that depart from the playlns
three-baggers and safeties into zones
still nearer the platter would ps
doubles. Lines of white paint woui9
he nlaced on the outfield barriers ana
it would be up to the umpireds pd in 70
There is no necessity for zones IN
the local park: it is one OF the Iarges.
playing fields in the country. De.ioi'
and Chicago also would escape pos
sibly Philadelphia. too. now that SHlpe 9's
park has been enlarged. But New
York. Cleveland, Eoston and 81; LOUIS
nave short" fields. either in left or
right. and they have sluggers VINO
profit greatly from making taFgets "
them. while Griff possesses no nltters
of g-distance propenslues. Iel H.
Fans Strong for HOmers.
There is no question but that nome
ru,s have been cheapened in recent
Years since balls made of better ma
ferials'' have made their appearance,
but attendance figures during Inns
period indicate that the rams 'llke
homers, bona fide or synthetic, ana
there is absolutely no chance that me
magnates will tinker with something
that appeals to the freight-paylng
public.
Most fans will be content to see the
home run situation left strictly alone.
Thev understand the rules as they ex-
1st now and don't want them COM
plicated by any zone arrangement; II
VIII be recalled that it was only three
wears ago that the regulations were
amended to stipulate that ball would
he fair or foul as IL was when 1t lelt
the park. The innovation resulted In
all manner of troubles for the UNI
rires. caused much pickering, rev
fights and then the new rule was con-
signed to the scrap heap.
With owners possessing sluggers OF
the type Of Ruth, Tobin, WILLIAMS. SIS
Ter. Pipp, etc. and conveniently snort
barriers for them to make targets or
in IT of their 154 games each season.
Griff's proposal will be given put
scant consideration.
The Numbering of Players.
But IL Griff's home-run zone scheme
is foredooned to quick death, and he
fails to bolster his mound corps through
trade or purchase. there will remain one
question on which his views probably
will preyail-the numbering of ball
players.
The National League straddled the
question at it's meeting this week by
giving the individual clubs the right to
do as they pleased about IL. with the
result that Presidents Ebbetts Of Brook
lvn and Breadon of St. Louis are con-
Sidering adoption of the plan as an eX-
pertinent.
In the American League Owner Co
lnis<ey Of the White Sox, Manager Mack
OF the Athletics and President Barnard
OF the Indians have announced them
selves in favor of the numbering plan.
but their fellow magnateS have refrain
ed from committing themselves, eX-
cept Griff, who is violently opposed to
porturity of the junior circuit TO OBJ
lain credit for being the first to consider
the interests of the fans in this respect
will he neglect ed