The Washington times., 1936-03-26
HpPocket
Case Due
Rule
By FRANK BUCK" ONEILL

VIII IALOCO q 41AC esA1A N4y dBdl1
the Briggs bonus plan. Before
the Bengals will permit Eddie
Linke to use his special hand
heater this season, a special rul-
ing will have to be made by the
board Of directors of the Amer
ican League.
The Tigers are prepared to ap-
peal to President Will Harridge,
not because they desire to handi-
cap Linke particularly, but because
If they permit Linke to reach into
his hip pocket to warm his hands
between pitches, it might lead to
a renaissance of trickery in pitch
ing.
This matter Of reaching into
hip pockets for any reason comes
under the heading of reprehens-
ible conduct. The act, which
might be entirely innocent, is
barred by special rule in the
major leagues.
Familiar Case
All washington fans are familiar
with the case Of Linke and his ia
nous vanishing pulse. When his
hands become cold he loses power
to grip the ball, and with this loss
Of power his effectiveness as a
pitcher vaniShes. Barring the
Briggs bonus, cost the Tigers so
grand. Barring the Linke heater
migth cost Washington several
perciouS ball games.
Linke has ordered a pocket heat
er, a miniature hot water bottle,
made to fit in his hip pocket. It
is a small hard rubber case that
fits inside of a small canvas cover.
A tablespoon full of a certain chem
ical compound is dropped inside
Of the case, water is added, and tht
water is heated to a temperature
of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or there
about.
BY placing his right hand N this
pocket between pitches, or when
ever necessary, Linke can keep his
right hand warm and retain his
effectiveness, or so he believes.
Linke has taken u. the matter
1 WILL 44CO4OS44I x4d1-
ridge, who listened and reserved
decision. There is no precedent
for a ruling in such case.
Mickey Cochrane heard Of the
contraption and at once wanted
to know all about the case and
how it worked.
COCHRANE DUBIOUS
"This is . new case" COch-
rane said to your reporter yes
terday in Lakeland. 81 don't
know If we can prevent Linke
from keeping his hands warm,
but we can stop him from put
ting his hand in his pocket. A
pitcher can't even carry a rOsin
bag in his pocket and use it.
! "Tt light be all right, but
some pitchers might do q lot
Of tricks with the ball, and
this would be most distressing,
especially If he did his tricks
in . pinch"
Harry Geisel, the veteran um.
pire, declined to discuss the case
except informally.
''The American League will
have to rule on Lfnke'S cOntrap-
tiOn," Geisel said. Certain
rules are in force. and Linke
can not be excepted from the
provisions Of the code.
'It may be that he could place
his hand outside Of his pocket.
There is no rule against this. But
IL we let him 60 into his pocket,
we will have to inspect all pitch
erS who claim the same privilege
for any reason whatsoever"
LiEke insists that his hand
warmer does not violate the spirit
nor the letter of the major league
code. ...---..-. @
CHEMICAL WATER BAG
"This little heater really is
chemical hot water bag" Linke
said, ''it win be, made to fit in
my uniform pocket. Perhaps I
can put my hand outside Of the
pocket if they refuse to permit
me to place my hand inside the
pocket.
"YOu just mix the powder
with some water, shake it, and
in q few minutes the water is
heated. When you're finished
for the day. you empty the com
partment and let it dry.
There is no intent upon my
part to violate the rules, and
I believe that the directors will
| rule that this case does not
come under the heading q
artificial aids to pitching.
you do not doctor the ball,
Linke said, land certainly you
do nothing to the stitches or
the cOver-all you do IL warm
your hand.
"What do you think Of the
proposed prOtest?" / asked
Linke.
'I'm not concerned about it
in the least" he replied. "The
other teams have q right to
protect themselves at all times,
but here IL q case where they
don't have to protect themselves
against any form Of illegal
pitching.
Right now all I can do is
wait for the ruling Of the
league officials, but I'm certain
that when they see the heater,
and explain Its purpose and
show them how it works, that
there will bO no difficulty"
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