Evening star., 1926-02-07


There is little likelihood of the con-
ference extending beyond the one day,
and, if past history serves as a guide,
it may last but a few hours. Adop-
ton of the schedule itself will take no
time at all. as it is merely a formality
the chance for protrac ction lying in
the fact the resin bali proposition and
the commiSSionership are to be con
sidered
Due to the recent action of the Joint
rules committee it now is officially
written into the code that the use OF
resin by pitchers, under the super
vision of the umpires, is legal. 1t is
not compulsory for the American
League to take advantage of the op
portunity. however, and whether il
will do, so is the question to be de
cided at the confab here.
May Prove Entering Wedge.
A great majority of the American
Ieaguers are opposed to any official
recognition being accorded the use OF
resin on the score that it will prove
the entering wedge for utilization of
illegal pitching methods that have
been barred by the legislation against
freak deliveries.
"Once give the pitcher this wedge
as one magnate has put it, "and it
will be the old days of shining the
ball all over again. The pitchers will
learn to go the limit once they have a
sack of resin with which to play. II
is a serious step backward"
The fear expressed in many quar-
ters that the "regulated' use Of resin
will in itself cause an immediate and
pronounced decline in hitting appears
unfounded, however. Pitchers never
have ceased to employ resin, as the
presence Of a sack of it on the bench
always has been countenanced, and in
delving into 1t to dry their hands"
most pitchers have more or less care
lessly permitted some of the substance
to adhere to some part Of their uni
forms, where their pitching paws
came into contact with 1t while they
were on the slab.
No Overnight Stars.
For this reason the apprehension
that under the new rule fingers will
be able to develop more battling de-
liveries and, as a consequence, that
the heavy hitting Of the past few
seasons will cease instanter appears
unjustified. The real leaders of the
fiinging fraternity, such as Johnson
Pennock. Gray and Blankenship, will
continue at the top just so long as
they retain their ability. and there is
no reason to believe that a flock of
second-string hurlers will become
stars overnight simply because they
are permitted to put their hands on d
sack of the amorphous substance un-
der the eagle eye of an arbiter.
The National League already has
gone on record as in favor of the rule
which removes resin from the boot
logging category. In the next world
series 1t is assured the pitchers OF
the team representing 1t will be
openly resinous. Whether the Amer
lean League will permit it's hurlerS
TO be handicapped by having to re-
gard the stuff as contraband is what
moguls Of the younger circuit must
decide.
League Stands Challenged.
Politically the meeting here Tues
day has possibilities, as the action OF
the National League in pledging IL
self to vote for continuing Judge
Lands in office for b decade after
his present contract eXpires-a year
from next Fall-really constitutes a
direct challenge to the American
League.
Recently there have been rum
blings in the latter body indicating
that movement was on foot to drop
Iandts, or at least terminate his
autocratic powers and make him
merely a member of governing
commission of three or more mem
bers.
With LandiS now assured of the
unqualified support of the National
League, it would appear that any
effort which might be made by the
adherents of Ban Johnson to place
him or any other candidate in power
is doomed to failure. American
League owners unquestionably are
resentful of the action taken by the
parent circuit and some verbal fire.
works may be set off in the star
chamber session here. but it Is
. doubtful If the noise will be audible
outside of the conference room at
the Hotel Washington.
Social aspects of the powwow
will include a dinner to be rendered
visiting moguls by officials of the
local team at the Racquet Club
Tuesday evening. This will afford
further opportunity for activity in
the ivory market, and If none mate
riaIizes the fans will display precious
little interest in the 1926 schedule