Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04
BY JOHN A. HEYDLER,
President the National Base BAN League.


n JEW YORK, January 3 Dr.
IN In good times or poor, our
1 Y game of base ball con-
tinues to move along on an
even keel. Since its inception,
nearly century ago, it has suf-
fered little from radical changes,
or from what other great sports
call overemphasiS.
An outstanding feature of the old
year was that, with a great race and
favored with steady Summer weather,
the National League, in point of at
tendance, had its banner season. Other
features were that our so-called vet
eran players jumped into ascendancy
by winning all the batting, fielding and
pitching honors, and that Hack Wilson
won the home-run crown, held for four
consecutive seasons by Ruth.
The Cardinals made game fight in
the world series, and although their
defeat ran our string to straight,
1t must be remembered that in the last
10 of these big interieague matches
the record stands but 6 to 4 against
the old league.
Rules Cut to 80.
For 1891 many promising young play
ers will add skill and hope to our con-
tenders. They will play under an
amended and clarified code of playing
rules. There viii be 30 rules for them
to study instead of the former IS. Home
runs will be universally judged when
they leave the actual playing field and
not where the ball disappears from
the umpire's view Two bases only
will be allowed when a fair-hit ball
bounds over a fence or into q stand.
The term ''momentarily held" will be
missing, thus doing away with hair
line decisions on hy-ban catches. The
manager of the team is given equal
rights on the field with the captain;
there Is new batting -out-of- turn rule.
better definition OF the pitching and
interference rules and new and clari-
fed scoring rules.
Despite temporary setback, we hope
for more cordial and helpful relations
between majors and minors. We have
been criticized as pursuing selfish end
| and in asking for the restoration of the
universal system of player promotion.
At present, If major club were TO
| draft one player from each of the i've
| lower claSsifcations the cost would be
| $4,000. Under the new plan offered
| to all minor leagues, the acquisition of
these players would cost $22, 900, an IN
crease of over so per cent. Surely q
liberal trend, in these TINES when every
| reasonable endeavor must be adopted by
base ball to cut down Sky-high opera
ton expenses.
Game Is Spreading.
In Japan, the Philippines, Cuba and
Hawaii base ball has made rapid
strides; in fact, has displaced in popular
interest all other outdoor sports in these
countries. Much interest likewise is
being developed in Central and South
| America.
Reports from our own big cities, espe-
cially Greater New York, show that mil
| lions have been voted for new parks and
| Fairgrounds; so that cramped-in city
| boys viii have their day on hundreds of
new base ball diamonds.
In looking after the charitable needs
| in base balls own domain, the major
leagues have set aside for 1891 more
than 10 per cent of their net receipts
from the old years post-season games
Having all these things in mind, and
speaking solely as one of the great
army identified with the sport, 1 can
say in all gratitude, that I am well
satisfied with the record and with what
the immediate future promises for our
| national game.
NEW YORK, January 3 R.-The
American Olympic Association, through
its Executive Committee, has built the
| framework of comprehensive organiza-
ton for the 1892 Olympiad to be held
in Los Angeles.
subcommittee have been appointed
to select American teams in various
branches of SPORT departure from the
LII =
by one committee. The subcommittee,
for which temporary chairmen have
been named, will set tryout dates and
sites and pick the teams
Joseph T. England of Baltimore was
named temporary chairman of the
Track and Field Committee, most i'm
portant of the Olympic organizations.