The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-07-12
(Reg. U. s. Pat. Of.) By JACK CUDDY

United Press Staff Corrcspondent)
 New York, July 12-(UP)-Five or six years hence, baseball players will be recognized immediately in any crowd by their pallor. They will be distinguished as readily as were old--time gamblers of Abilene, Dodge City and Tombstone-men who never saw the sun.
 For the past 1o4 years baseball performers have been bronzed young me-. who were as intimate with Old Sol as Sundials. But the die has been cast to cause an about-face in complexions on the diamond, and to bring about other changes per- haps in the trappings of our na- tional pastime.
 That historic proclamation at Pittsburgh yesterday, in effect, changed baseball from an afternoon sport to a nighttime divertise- ment. It disclosed that all major league clubs will be permitted to play their remaining weekday games at night during the current campaign. Only Sundays were Sal- vaged for the sun.
 Despite the opinions of some re- actionaries-like Ed Barrow, Bill Benswanger, Horace Stoneham and Branch Rickey-that this "unlim- nted" night ball positively cannot prevail in peacetiine, you can bet your last frogSkin on the likelihood that there will be no back-tracking, now that the doors have been thrown open and the lads have rushed pell-mell out into the moon light. Particularly after they be- come convinced that the lunar rays grow more box-office cabbage, at all times, than the warmer slants Of the sun.
 Since night baseball was intro duced into the majors by Larry MacPhail at Cincinnati in 1885, 1t has muscled in considerably upon the day game-gradually at first against robust opposition, but with surprising speed later under war time conditions. Eleven of the l6 major league clubs have joined the night parade; and the other five Yankees. Tigers, Red Sox. Braves and Cubs-doubtless will fall into line as soon as they can obtain lighting equipment. After all, base ball is a commercial enterprise even when sponsored by million aires; and it is becoming increasing ly difficult for the most ardent day. time advocate to ignore night-time dollars.
 Lights to Stay?
 Although we prefer to watch ball games on sunny afternoons, 1t is our personal opinion that "unlim- ited" night ball is here to stay.
 Moreover, we will predict that when the major league squads be- gin heading south again for spring training, most of their exhibition games will be played at night to attract larger crowds. One must re- member that spring training treks are commercial ventures also. Hence. even in training. ball players Of the future will see little of the sun.
 With baseball definitely going under the lights, we can foresee an- other innovation-the ball park cabaret, the diamond night club which will provide an added at traction for the guys and gals who may wish to spell of a couple of dull innings with a refreshing or celebrate the home team victory with hotcha conga line.
 Tn the Polo Grounds cocktail lounge. for example, one of the distaff fans in evening gown might Inquire of her tuxedoed escort: "who is that pallid. black-haired chap over there, dancing with the bIonde?"
 And the escort might say. Why that's Pepper PinkhaIn. the Car dinals' shortstop."
 "Oh--I do wish he was on our team; he's SO cute-and he tangoes SO divinely."