Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-24
DOUBTS FANS WANT
yANKEE|NN0VAT|0N
President of Nationals Con-
} tends Plan Is Unneeded
and ImpracticabIe.
T AMPA, Fla. January 24.-Clark |
Griffith does not look kindly |
upon the idea of numbering the |
Il ball players in the American |

Griffith does not look kindly
upon the idea of numbering the
Il ball players in the American
League in the manner in vogue
among foot ball teams. In fact, he is
fatty opposed to such an innovation
and intends that there shall be no
numerals pasted on the uniforms of his
ball players unless the American. League
takes official action in the matter and
orders the clubs of that circuit to take
such step.
The position of the Nationals presi-
dent in the matter of numbering the
ball players was brought to light when
his attention was directed this morning
to a dispatch from New York which
stated that the Yankees will assign
number 10 all their players this season,
corresponding to the number of the
player on the score card, said number to
be attached in bold figures on the backs
of the players uniforms.
II do not like the idea at ALL" said
Mr.. Griffith. Il do not think it is at
all necessary, and believe it will de-
tract great deal from the game. Base
ball is notably different from foot ball
in the sense that the numbering of the
players in the gridiron game is used
as an argument to have the same prac-
tice followed in base ball.
Much Huddling on Grid.
an foot ball the players are huddled
closely together in practically all plays
after the kickoff, both on the defensive
and offensive. After the ball is in
play the tendency is for the members of
both elevenS to converge as rapidly as
possible at the point where the ball is
with resulting confusion to the spec
tators in the plays.
I'm fact, even with the numbering
practice followed practically universally
in foot ball, confusion still exists and it
is not always possible to catch the
number of tackler, ball carrier or inter-
ference men.
None of the conditions surrounding
foot ball exists in the national pastime
Each player has a definite, specific
place on the field. There is seldom oc-
casion for any player to leave his po-
Sltlon for very long at a time-cer-
tainly never to the extent that he would
be confused with a player in another
position. The batters appear one at a
time at the plate, in a predetermined
order as carried on a printed score card.
Each player now actually has number
and Identification of new men in the
lineup is established promptly by the
ofhclal announcer.
Then, again, the placing of num-
Der on the back of players uniform
would not serve the purpose of the
innovation to any marked degree. A
pinch hitter at the plate would have
his number visible only to those spec
tatorS sitting back of his own bench
as he goes to the plate, and to those
IN the stands toward which his back is
turned, depending upon whether he is
o right or left handed hitter.
"OH hand I would say that not more
than rs per cent of the people would
have real opportunity of seeing the
number OF pinch hitter on his trip
to the plate. There does not seem to
be any pronounced demand for this
idea from the fans, and believe that |
the present plan of announcing the
OF the grandstand is the most salts !
factory"
Eyn0n Sees Some Merit.
Secretary Ed Eynon, while disposed |
to frown upon the plan as q non-essen- |
tial proposition, admits to some merit |
in it. His main opposition is to the
dis1guring of the uniforms of the play
ers by glaring large numbers being at
tached thereto.
IF the plan was deemed worthy of
cAa"A WOuAO NC StEOuBly III FAVOR OF
holding the numbers down to some
Small-size figure, which would not de-
tract from the present neat appearance
OF most ball clubs uniforms" Eynon
observed.
The tendency in present-day base
pail Is toward smart, attractive appear
ing uniforms and the players as a
rule are anxious to preserve this an
pearance. However, anything which
would enable the base ball fans to get
more enjoyment out Of the game should
De the main concern of the owners. and
I would welcome anything that would
aoo 10 this condition. Much thought
undoubtedly will be given the matter
before the rest of the major league
clubs follow the lead of the New YORK
Yankees"
President E. S. Barnard of the Amer
lean League and Mrs Barnard were
the guests today at Tampa of President
ana Mrs. Griffith. Mr.. Barnard mo-
tored over from st. Petersburg this
morning. and, after a short talk with
Mr.. Griffith. joined the Washington
owner and Secretary Eynon in a round
OF golf at Palma Celia. The party re-
turned to the hotel headquarters of
the Nationals for lunch, and for the
balance Of the afternoon Mr.. Barnard
remained with the club officials. Moth
ing concerning the Washington ball
club was up for discussion, and after
supper tonight Mr.. and Mrs. Barnard
plan TO return to st. Petersburg.