Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-22

+ EW YORK, January 22.-When
Fl the boys gather around the
hotel Hobbies and on the play
ing fields in a few weeks at
the Spring training camps there will
be a lot Of conversation churned up
about the ten-man base ball team.
This suggestion, it will be recalled
was made by John A. Heydler. presi-
dent of the National League. and it is
fact that in base ball circles right
now increased interest Is being dis
played in the subject.
The ten-man team idea has met no
overwhelming Endorsement because it
involves a very radical change in the
national game. Grandfather, father
and son have grown up thinking and
talking nine-man base ball, and 1t Is
bit hard to push over a new theory of
this kind.
This observer herewith presents a
suggested modification of the rules of
base ball which would do much to give
pitchers a fair deal and would put an
end to strategy by which managers de-
liberately try to force a strong pitcher
out of the box, or by which manager
sacrifices a strong pitcher to gamble
on one batter and a possible victory.
New Clause Suggested.
Rule %, section 2, now reads: ANY
such substitute at any stage Of the
game. except when the ball is in play
may take the place of a player whose
name is in his teams batting order,
but the player whom he succeeds shall
not thereafter participate in that
game"
Now add to this section the following
new clause: Except that the pitcher
/ of the team first at bat remain in the
game to its completion if a substitute
batter. and only substitute batter. take
his place after the last half of the
seventh inning has been played. and
that the pitcher of the team second at
bat may remain in the game if sub
stitute batter, and only a substitute
batter. take his place after the last half
of the sixth inning has been played"
This would provide that pitcher
might have pinch hitter bat for him
in the eighth or ninth inning if the
team were first at bat, and in the
seventh or eighth inning If the team
were second at bat. In other words, a
very good pitcher could pitch a full
game, as he should be entitled to pitch,
II he were beyond the halfway mark.
EOrce Coca HuflerS Out.
There are managers who maneuver
to force a good pitcher on an opposing
team out of the game. They are iusti-
fed in doing that because 1t is part
Of base ball strategy.
A base on balls has been given more
than once to bring up the pitcher as
the next batSnan. not only because the
pitcher might not be good pitcher, but
because the opposing manager hoped
that the pitcher would be lifted from
the game for pinch hitter.
A pitcher who has pitched a good
game for eight innings is entitled to
some recognition in the rules by which
II a batter is substituted for him late
!. IN an exciting contest he may stay in
the game.
The rule for substitutions, as used
now, never intended to go so far as 1t
has. There was no idea that any man.
ager would run in six or seven extra ball
players before game was over. The
theory Of substitution in the old days
was to provide that if a man were in
Jured another man could play for him.
Kicked on Pinch Runner.
There was a time when the umpire
decided whether a player could be sub
stituted, and away back there were
occasional games in which one side
1l1AlSI1Cu Will elBub players BECAUSE u
wasn't certain what was to be done.
After the modern rule came into
effect It was believed quite radical.
During Cleveland and Chicago game a
runner got on first for Cleveland, and
Pat Tebeau. then Cleveland manager
took him on and put on another.
Pop Anson. captain of Chicago, in
sisted that Tebeau could not substitute
a runner for the man on first except
by the consent Of Arson, as had been
the custom
Read the rules, Cap" said Tebeau.
Arson found the rule but still ARMED