The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-20
Yellow Baseball, Scoring Lights Now Suggested
By STUART CAMERON United Press Sports EditOr)

New York, April 2O.-(UP)-One of the marvels of baseball is its in- herent tendency to stay in establish ed grooves. Change comes slowly and often years go by with no n- novationS.
 There was agitation for three changes this season, but only one is to be adopted, and it is to be con- fined to Sportsman's Park, St. Louis.
 This is a device which gives to the spectators and players the rul- ing of the official scorer on ques- tionable batted balls. A green light will indicate a hit and red light an error.
 The other suggested changes are adoption of a yellow ball and Of helmets by batsmen
 Frederick H. Rahr, New York color scientist, urges the yellow ball on the ground that it may be seen readily and hence eliminate some of baseball's dangers. It will get a test in Columbia Fordham game, April 27.
 Jimmy Powers, sports editor of the New York Daily News, is agitat- ing for helmets and is gradually finding support among baseball men.
 The Sportsmen'S Park light in- stallation sounds simple and is. But already there are loud walls from managersand players. The com- plaints center on the contention that knowledge of the ruling during the game will alter player morale. The second baseman who boots a hot one will be jittery if he knows for sure that it is an error. The batsman who caroms a liner oil a fielder's glove for what he thinks is a hit will be disheartened when the red light flickers.
 Sid Keener, sports editor of the St. Louis Star-Times, suggests in his column that the lights should be adopted at all major league parks. Keener discussed the project with Sam Breadon, Cardinals owner, who with Donald Barnes of the Browns, installed the lights. Breadon makes a plea for progress and points out that the fans want to know the rulings on hits and errors.
 T feel the fans should receive first consideration" Breadon said. "The players should not forget that the fan is an important party in paying the salaries of the athletes.
 q do not subscribe to the belief that particular player will become SO unnerved when he sees the de- cision on a hit or error posted on the board that he will crack under the strain.
 After all, the main thing at stake is the ball game-to win the game and to forget about the 1n- dividual hits or the errors for a fielder.
 q have paid close attention to these scoring discussions at the park. Not only among the fans, but also among players. When disputed play comes up a spectator in the stands solicits the information from the press box. It is flashed down to the people in the seats and the word is passed around the stands.
 Players have shown as much in- terest about the hits and errors. They have -wagged a finger to the scorer in the press box ill seek ing the ruling. They will not have to go through these mareuvers any longer. The news will be handed them right out on the board.
 "A player with the spirit to go out and hustle in trying to win the pennant for his club will not be dis turbed over his own average in bat ting or fields.
 we're going to try it, despite these protests from the players. and feel that after few weeks every one will fall into natural stride and forget about the bulb lighting on the score board"