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Show PITCHING RECORD OP THE LEAGUES New York, Dec. 20. A baseball statistician here has figured out that since 1S72, when records were first kept, four thousand batamcn have j faced major league pitchers, and only 4 SO of them have shown averages of .200 or over. Ever since the National league was organized In 1S76. the ef fectlvcness of the pitcher has gradually grad-ually increased in spite of rules pasaed to bring aboul more batting. Nine balls originally entitled a hitter hit-ter to a bsea, but the number was cut to six, then to four, while the strikes were increased from three to four. The records seem to show that In recent years the batting, has de-11 de-11 cased In strength, until last season the pitchers had a greater advantage than ever before. That the average manager believes the success of his team depends chiefly chief-ly upon the effectiveness of his pitchers. pitch-ers. Is shown by tae fact that twice tbo number of twlrlein are carrb.nl nowadays than wa the case In 1895. Then three or four first-class pitchers were sufficient, whereas nowadays .1 ni.ijor league team is not considered well equipped unless seven or eight Iwxinen are on the payroll. 00 |