Ban johnson

Detroit TigersĀ PresidentĀ Frank NavinĀ blames the length of the games on the coaches’ boxes

1913 – In a story in theĀ New York Times,Ā Detroit TigersĀ PresidentĀ Frank NavinĀ blames the length of the games on the coaches’ boxes. Navin, reacting toĀ American LeagueĀ PresidentĀ Ban Johnson’s 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 catcher’s signals unless he takes a lot of time to hide them. Navin said this slow signalling is the reason for the longer games.