Evening star., 1925-08-30


1 have been particularly impressed
by the way Mr.. Pfrmin has handled
his games. 1t has been so consistent
ly good that l regard him as the out
standing umpire of the year. We
point TO ball players whose work
stands out, and the umpires are en-
titled to just as much consideration.
The one thing that always has i'm
pressed me about the work of UNI
pires in general is the intense pride
they take in their efficiency though
they get little glory out of it.
/ Yes, the umpiring this season, taken
all around, has been exceptionally
good.
Wisdom of New Rule Shown.
The sustained interest in both Ma
tional and American League races
this year is proof of the legislation
| which awards all four clubs in the
first division percentage share in
the receipts of the world series.
Practically every club in both leagues
still has chance of finishing in the
first division, and though his chance
may be remote in some cases, the
players are fighting for 1t.
Not only does that keep up the in
terest, but II enables the managers
to get a better line on the players
and lay their plans for the following
| season. To finish in the first division
now means more than a mere empty
honor. 1t means a money prize TO
each player.
The effect of this rule is apparent
everywhere. In cities where the
clubs have no chance for the pennant
the players are fighting it out to the
last inning, and the fans are getting
some good base ball whether they
expect their favorites to be in the
world series or not. 1t is a good
thing for everybody.
This idea is beneficial in another
direction that is even more important
| to the game. The second division
teams are making the contenderS
| fight for every inch of ground they
| gain.
There Are No Set-Ups Now.
In former days it was but natural
| that a team with nothing to fight for
| incentive that now is before them.
| The tailenders, as a result, now cause
| the contenders almost as puch trou-
| BILE as the strongest clubs in the
| league. There are no set-ups.
| When a ball club wins a pennant
| now it knows that it has met a stiff
| fight all the way around the circuit,
and is clearly entitled to the cham
.pionship.
We often have fans, and sometimes
| base ball people, who want to know
| if the game has shown any improve
ment, and how. The rule | have just
mentioned is a good example. There
| is certainly an improvement.
Another Improvement is the umpir
1 ing. as 1 have just pointed out.
The day of predictions is over, All
/ the clubs have pretty we'll found
! themselves by now and with the lead
ers it is a question of plugging away
/ to hold what they've got.
Expects Griffmen to Win.
| Gradually the Senators have
crawled to the top and with their
steadiness of play 1 expect them to
stay there. That club has played con-
| SiStentiy all years, while others went
up and down. Their steady stride has
worn the others down. The Athletics
have made a remarkable showing, in
| fact, better showing than most base
ball people expected. All season they
have been blessed with good pitching.
/ When one star showed signs of q
slump another came through and kept
up the average. Steady pitching is
a big factor in a pennant race.
The Giants have had several op-
portunities to make big gains on the
Pirates, but the hitting has not come
with it's usual punch. We have had
! good pitching in spells only to see
some of the hitters strike a slump.
Then we have had good hitting when
the pitching slumped.
In my opinion the races in both
] leagues will go right along to a fight
between the leaders right up TO the
last week or 10 days. 1t is largely a
question of how the breaks come.
| There is no longer any room for an
alysis. The situation, think, is quite
| clear to fans as well as to players.
The other day I was presented by
the little son of Abraham SchifT of
| New York with the first ball the