Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-29
w YHII4E none of the mag
AA/ mates, aside from Col.
Wv Jacob Rupert, has
nrOaan on nonnrd &c

Wv Jacob Rupert, has
gone on record as
faVoring Identification numerals
for the players, which the
Yankees will inaugurate this
year, we have a bunch the plan
will be universally adopted be-
fore the records of many more
seasons are compiled.
And this despite the out
spoken opposition of some Of
the owners, chief among them
Clark Griffith, and the disap-
prevail of the scheme by such
an aStute and practical a base
ball man as Ernest Barnard,
boss of the American League.
The reason for this belief Is
that so far as we can discern
the plan has everything to
recommend it and no disad-
vantage, none deserving serious
consideration, at any rate.
One of the chief appeals of base
ball is that its action is right out in
the open where everything can be
seen. In this respect it has mark
ed advantage over foot ball as a
game for onlookers, and anything
that can be done to make the sport
even more easily followed will tend
to increase its popularity. That
numbering players will serve this
purpose there can be no doubt.
As for contention that the plan
t0iH Jail Of its mission to instantly
and accurately Gpprise all obSerD-
erS OF the identity OF any uniformed
figure on the field, iDe haze get to
hear one sound supporting reason.
1Uhile there are plenty to be advanced
against the present practice OF
hdUtng added starters "GnnOunced"
by q nleg1phone man NTH q Uoice of
Questionable clarity and carrying
potUer.
II a fan were interested only in
the athletes actually performing in
a game and happened to be a fairly
frequent attendant he soon would
come to know all the regulars on the
home team. but he still would be
dubious concerning the less prOmi-
nent members of his own club and
absolutely In the dark regarding
many of the visiting players.
How many times have you had to
conjecture about the identity of
some unfamiliar figure In travel
ing uniform who displayed impress
sive ability in batting practice prior
to the game; inquired vainly regard
ing the new player caVorting at short
during the infleld drill or looked
quiZzically in the direction of the
diStanct bull pen, where two or three
pitchers may be warming up in the
course of battle?
EUen coacherS are the subject OF
interest to the fans, especially If
they are particularly noisy or other
lUiSe colortul. and they become
matter OF some moment to the
newspaper men If they pull bo1er,
such as sending runner to his death.
This writer has been covering
games, not only here, but in ball
parks all over the country for a
number Of years and can state as a
matter of simple fact that there are
few games in which he would not
have his work made easier If the
names of all the figures on the field
were accurately available at all
times.
We have seen instances where
managers have switched players In
the infleld or outfield, sometimes
from one to the other, with just who
was who left uncertain for a couple
of innings, and some days when no
announcement of ANY kind was.
made of change in assignments; -
with consequent incorrect scoring.- -.
One "buP' which caused an un-
told number of newspaper readers to-
be miSinformed and resulted I'm.
mental anguish for more. than one
lDriter, Which Mould haze been"
avoided By the numbering system.
occurred right at Grit Stadium last
season. go a.
The Yankees were here and In the