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SelzShoes · 05-16-2005, 09:50 PM

From Manhattan Monthly Magazine
How I Would Clean Up Base Ball
By William Temple

In the wake of the great scandal tainting our national game, may men have speculated what can be done to set the game honest again. While James McCormick should be praised for expunging the players who so openly blighted the game, more action is needed if the sporting fan is to have faith in what he sees. I have a simple 5-point plan to do just that:

1. Dissolve the Empire. The League is founded on the idea of profits over integrity. As the salary of players has risen, so has their thirst for wealth—be it honest or dishonest. A new league found on the ideals of ‘true sport’ would benefit the player and crank more than we realize.

2. Shorten the season. As the number of games increases, the likelihood a player can fall under the temptation of the gambler increases. With so many meaningless games, a player can be convinced to ‘lie down’ occasionally, not seeing the long-term damage he is doing to the sport. Once addicted to the gambler’s cash, the player can be swayed to sacrifice a whole season, a whole career, all to profit some bookmaker from the less desirable sections of the city.

3. League approval of umpires. If the arbiters in charge of the game were under the employ of the league and not hired by the local teams we could do more to assure an honest game than anything. Having truly neutral umpires, another honest set of eyes, ones free of local influence, could be vigilant for any signs of dishonest play.

4. Raise the admission. The 25¢ admission only invites the low born into the park. These sorts are the kind who finds their recreation in the gambler and barkeep. By limiting attendance to only those who appreciate the subtle joy of sport, the honesty of competition can be assured.

5. Appoint an independent commission to govern the game. A council of owners and a single figurehead has run the Empire. Neither had been able to function effectively as they are looking out for their own interest and not the game’s. With a commission ruling on the subjects of interest, this group of men could keep the game on the clean path.

The summer in Brooklyn has been an eye-opening experience for all those who love base ball. We can either take McCormick at his word that the problem has been eradicated, or we can take action. Without the involvement of men such as myself, who value honesty and integrity more than anything, the sport of base ball will be drug further into corruption.

05-16-2005, 09:50 PM	#81
SelzShoes High School Varsity Join Date: Apr 2005	1877-1878 Off Season From Manhattan Monthly Magazine How I Would Clean Up Base Ball By William Temple In the wake of the great scandal tainting our national game, may men have speculated what can be done to set the game honest again. While James McCormick should be praised for expunging the players who so openly blighted the game, more action is needed if the sporting fan is to have faith in what he sees. I have a simple 5-point plan to do just that: 1. Dissolve the Empire. The League is founded on the idea of profits over integrity. As the salary of players has risen, so has their thirst for wealth—be it honest or dishonest. A new league found on the ideals of ‘true sport’ would benefit the player and crank more than we realize. 2. Shorten the season. As the number of games increases, the likelihood a player can fall under the temptation of the gambler increases. With so many meaningless games, a player can be convinced to ‘lie down’ occasionally, not seeing the long-term damage he is doing to the sport. Once addicted to the gambler’s cash, the player can be swayed to sacrifice a whole season, a whole career, all to profit some bookmaker from the less desirable sections of the city. 3. League approval of umpires. If the arbiters in charge of the game were under the employ of the league and not hired by the local teams we could do more to assure an honest game than anything. Having truly neutral umpires, another honest set of eyes, ones free of local influence, could be vigilant for any signs of dishonest play. 4. Raise the admission. The 25¢ admission only invites the low born into the park. These sorts are the kind who finds their recreation in the gambler and barkeep. By limiting attendance to only those who appreciate the subtle joy of sport, the honesty of competition can be assured. 5. Appoint an independent commission to govern the game. A council of owners and a single figurehead has run the Empire. Neither had been able to function effectively as they are looking out for their own interest and not the game’s. With a commission ruling on the subjects of interest, this group of men could keep the game on the clean path. The summer in Brooklyn has been an eye-opening experience for all those who love base ball. We can either take McCormick at his word that the problem has been eradicated, or we can take action. Without the involvement of men such as myself, who value honesty and integrity more than anything, the sport of base ball will be drug further into corruption.