Two strikes yer' out??
Colleges,pros consider altering ancient rules
NEW YORK (UPI) — The colleges as well as the pros are in a mood to experiment with the ancient rules of baseball.
"We'll try a lot of things this spring," says Jack Kaiser of St. John's University, president of the American Association of College Baseball Coaches.
"The NCAA already has authorized an optional set of speed-up rules for use as desired but there are other ideas that might help baseball, too."
- Like three balls and two strikes instead of the traditional four and three.
- Like a scoreboard clock with a buzzer that times a game at two or maybe $ 2 \frac{1}{2} $ hours, after which an inning may be completed but then the game of "clockball" is over.
"In theory, these sound like good ideas so we'll kick them around at St. John's. I'm asking the association membership to circulate as many other suggestions as possible," says Kaiser. "We're all interested in making the game better and getting more boys into the action."
The colleges have experimented in scrimmage and practice games with most of the revolutionary rules professional baseball has authorized for spring training and for various minor leagues for the regular season in 1969.
The pros, hoping to pack more punch into a sport dominated by the pitching last season, came up with four different experiments. These include a permanent pinch-hitter for the pitcher, or other weak batsmen, and variations on that basic theme.
"Those rules make it tough on the pitching.
The colleges, like the pros, have a 20-second rule in which the pitcher must fire the ball after getting it from the catcher. Unlike the pros, the colleges enforce it strongly.
as we can testify," says Kaiser. "But that seems to be what the professionals are looking for right now."
Furthermore, the optional speed-up rules available to the colleges for the last two years include some real dandies:
1. When either the pitcher or the catcher gets on base as a runner, a courtesy runner must be substituted. The catcher goes to the sidelines and immediately puts on his receiving gear. The pitcher may keep warming up on the sidelines, if necessary.
2. At the end of each half inning, sides must be changed within 60 seconds.
3. After a putout the ball is returned immediately to the pitcher and not flung around the infield.
4. After the last out of an inning, the ball is returned immediately to the umpire.
5. First base is awarded automatically when an intentional walk is signalled.
6. Batting helmets, mandatory at the plate, also must be worn all the time the batter is a base runner and not exchanged for a regulation soft cap until the runner is retired or the inning ended.
"These time-savers have had an enthusiastic reception," says Kaiser. "Coaches who have played speed-up games say there's no time for standing around or stalling. It's all action from start to finish."
KU Rugby Club meets to ready for spring
KU's Rugby Club, preparing for a spring schedule that tentatively includes trips to New Orleans and the Bahamas, will meet tonight at the Sigma Chi fraternity house.
Included on the agenda for the 7:30 meeting are election of officers, presentation of the schedule, and a discussion of the upcoming season. Club president Mark Bedner, Emporia junior, asks that anyone interested in trying-out for the squad attend.
Practices will begin Tuesday. The club has planned for matches during the Mardi Gras later this month and a Bahamas visit during spring break—along with the regular schedule.
The KU club posted a 4-1 record during the fall, losing only to the University of Missouri (3-2). Two matches are already slated with Missouri,
April 12 and May 10, on a home and away basis.
Also set is a March 29 match with Rolla (Mo.) Mines, and the Heart of America tournament in Chicago May 3-4. Bedner hopes to add three or four matches to the present schedule.
KU's Rugby entry was ranked among the top clubs in the Midwest last year, compiling an 8-1 record with a second-place finish in the Heart of America meet. KU bowed in the finals to St. Louis University, and Bedner hopes to schedule a rematch this spring.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (UPI)—The legendary George Gipp still holds the Notre Dame alltime football record for rushing (2,341 yards) and total offense (4,110 yards).
Last Chance Seniors! Senior Picture Deadline
February 28
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VI 3-0330 9:30 -4:30 Mon. - Fri.
Baseball appoints 'temporary' czar
MIAMI BEACH (UPI) — Bowie Kuhn, a National League attorney who has remained generally in the background since entering the game, was named baseball commissioner for only one year yesterday in a surprise move by the 24 baseball owners.
Kuhn, a member of a New York law firm, replaces William Eckert, who was fired by the owners at the conclusion of the winter meetings in San Francisco last December. Kuhn's salary will be $100,000 in contrast to the $65,000 which Eckert had been paid.
Cincinnati Reds' President Francis Dale introduced Kuhn as "baseball's new commissioner" even though Kuhn was named to the job for only one year as commissioner pro tem.
Kuhn said, "I have been very active in baseball for 20 years. I have been extremely interested in the affairs of baseball. I started as a kid with the Washington club at Griffith Stadium working on the scoreboard." He later said he got $1 a day in that job.
"I am honored and delighted not only to have the opportunity to conduct this office but to lead baseball in a meaningful restructuring of organization."
Cardinal exec praises Kuhn
Kuhn said that as
ST. LOUIS (UPI) — James Toomey, administrative assistant to general manager Bing Devine of the St. Louis Cardinals, said yesterday that Bowie Kuhn "is a very, very capable man."
Toomey said that he talked to Kuhn at the baseball writers dinner in New York City.
Toomey said that Kuhn "has handled a lot of baseball affairs for the past several years and has been at all the meetings."
Toomey said of Kuhn, "He's all right, a pretty good man."
commissioner he would disassociate himself as counsel on the player relations committee. He also said he expects the problems with the players to be resolved soon.
8 KANSAN Feb. 5 1969
Regarding the threatened player strike, he said "I would be surprised if spring training does not get off as scheduled. We've been able to settle this kind of negotiation in the past."
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