Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1912 — GINGER WILL ATTRACT COIN [ARTICLE]

GINGER WILL ATTRACT COIN

“Silk” O’Loughlin Is Strong Advocate of Speed in All Games of Amusement- —Games Too Slow. - Silk OTioughlln, the . American league umpire, is a strong advocate .of jpeed. He says the games are becoming too slow and he blames the players. In discussing the fault the noted diamond judge said yesterday: “Put ginger into any public amusement and you’ll attract and delight patrous who pay their money at the box office. A lively act in vaudeville or a snappy play will crowd a theater «ny time. A scientific, swiftly moving boxer will command big money at a boxing club because people will pay more to see him spar than a clumsy slugger. Baseball is tbe same. Speedy playing is essential toward keeping up the interest. If the games are allowed to drag the fans grow tired and lose interest. ‘l’ve always maintained that between innings the players going to and from the benches should be made to hurry. It looks better than to see them slouch to their positions. When the American league was organized the games were played so rapidly that there was too inudh hurry and hustle. Games were frequently played in one hour and 16 minutes and I really believe a majority of the fans were satisfied. But in recent years tbe players themselves have adopted slothful methods with the result that the games are again too long. “Much time is wasted by the batteries. The spitball pitchers consume most of it by moistening their fingers and preparing to take aim. Then again some of them can't make out the signs given by the catchers. In such cases the pitchers stand still, looking at the backstop’s fingers as they indicate the signs in the hollow of the mitts. -If they don’t understand, the pitchers shake their heads and hi many cases go up near the plate to hold confabs, when as a matter of fact the field umpire and the infleiders can see the signs as plain as day.”