Detroit TigersĀ PresidentĀ Frank NavinĀ blames the length of the games on the coachesā boxes
1913Ā ā In a story in theĀ New York Times,Ā Detroit TigersĀ PresidentĀ Frank NavinĀ blames the length of the games on the coachesā boxes. Navin, reacting toĀ American LeagueĀ PresidentĀ Ban Johnsonās complaint that too many games the previous season had taken two hours to play, says the boxes should be moved back so that the catcher can give the pitcher his signals more quickly. From where they are now, he said, theĀ coaching playersĀ can detect the catcherās signals unless he takes a lot of time to hide them. Navin said this slow signalling is the reason for the longer games.