Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 194, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1917 — FANS DON’T LIKE ROWDYISM [ARTICLE]

FANS DON’T LIKE ROWDYISM

General Demand for More Aggressiveness on Part of Players, Both Major and Minor. There is a general demand for more aggressiveness on the part of the ball players, both major and minor. This is proper enough, as there has been altogether too much refinement about baseban, which is, supposed to be a red-blooded masculine contest, and not a pink tea. But in encouraging aggressiveness, the magnates must not fall into the error, of reviving one phase of aggressiveness that is akin to and provocative of rowdyism in'its worst form. That te the Indulgence in more or less derogatory personal exchanges between ball players, known as “riding.” This forin of goading an adversary is intolerable and should be prohibited. Insulting opponents is supposed to be evidence of lighting spirit and ginger, and is favored by many managers, but seldom pleases spectators, especially women who sit close to the playing field? The famous Mackmen were “colorless,” according to scribes, because they did not indulge in “riding” opponents, but it is signlflCant that more women attended the games at Shibe park in the days of the famous machine than afe on hand at other major league parks.