The Tacoma Times

The deadly weapons base ball players have been carrying about on their feet are to be a thing of the past. Most diamond accidents had their origin in the sharp spike cleats.

The new thing is the acorn-shaped spike, invented by Trainer Joe Quirk of Washington. Ty Cobb, Eddie Collins. Ownie Bush and other good base runners are having just as much success on the paths with the new spike as they ever did with the old one.

When the committee first tried to find a substitute for the sharp-edged spike, the howl was made that no other variety would permit as good a foothold. All the substitutes offered, it was claimed, would not only retard the speed of a runner while on the go, but keep a player from getting a good foothold for a start,

For some time Turner has been using the acorn spike. He says:

"I can't say that I dislike them, and on the whole I think that I like them. They are new to me yet. They grip the ground well and I haven't taken a slip on them. One thing in their favor is that they do not pick up a lot of dirt, especially when the field is soft."

Cy Young likes the new spikes.

"There's no chance to stick a blade into a man's calf, turn and gouge out a piece of flesh as big as a nickel," he says. "With the old style of plates I've seen cuts which were simply brutal because they were so ugly. So far as I know, all of the players of the Cleveland club who have been watching Turner's work with the spikes think they are all right."