The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-31

sCRfPTIoN OF THE MODE OF PLAYING IT,
Two match games Of base ball are to come
off this afternoon. First. The second game
between the Stonewall and the Richmond
Junior Clubs, at the grounds of the former,
on Church Hill, when both clubs will ap-
pear in full uniform, and undoubtedly at
tract q large attendance Of spectators.
The next game, the clubs being composed
of adults will probably excel in interest,
will be played between the Old Dominion
and Richmond Clubs at the grounds OF the
Richmond Club, opposite Elba Park. This
game will also attract many spectators, and
it is quite probable that among them will
be the elite and beauty of Shockoe Hill.
We call especial attention to these games,
from the fact that the exercise is healthy
and inspiring and we truly hope that our
prediction of large attendance on both
grounds will not be thwarted by the result.
The game of base ball was imported
here from the North since the close of the
war, and though copied in the main from
| the English game of cricket, is undoubt-
tionably one of the best means in vogue
for cultivating the physical powers. And,
moreover, it may be set down as remedy
! for many of the evils resulting from the
immoral associations which the boys and
young men Of our towns and cities are
very apt to become connected with. These
opinions have been endorsed by some of
the most eminent clergymen in the coun-
try, who themselves have formed clubs for
purposes of "moral and healthful recrea-
tion."
Having been requested to give sketch
of the manner in which base ball is played,
We have procured from Messrs. Cole 4
Turner the rules of the game and in
giving it we comply more particularly from
the fact that many Of us, in our school-boy
days, played aigamc called "cat," which
some think superior to the game of "base."
The game of base ball is played in the fol-
lowing manner:
To begin, the ball must not weigh less
than five and O half nor more than five and
three-quarters ounces avordupois. The bat
must be of wood, Of any length to suit the
striker, and must not exceed two and a
half inches in diameter at the thickest
part. The bases must be four in number,
placed at equal distances from each other,
and at least thirty yards apart. The base
from which the ball is struck must be de-
signated the "home base," and must be
directly opposite the second base the first
base must always be that upon the right
hand, and the third base upon the left
hand of the striker when occupying his
position at the "home base" The posi-
tion of the pitcher must be at a convenient
distance from the man at the bat, and must
be designated by lines drawn at right an
giles from "home to the "second base"
And we may as well state here that
should the pitcher repeatedly fail to de-
liver fair balls, for the purpose of delaying
the game, or for any other cause, the um-
pire, after warning him, shall call
one ball and if the pitcher persists
in such action, two and three balls !;
when three balls have been called,
the striker shall take the first base, and
should any base be occupied at that time,
each player occupying it or them shall
take one base without being put out. We
think, however, that the honorable princi-
Piles governing our baseball clubs will
hardly call for an enforcement of this rule.
| The ball must be fairly pitched to the bat.
When baulk is made by the pitcher,
every player running the bases is entitled
to one base without being put out. There
has been some question raised in regard
to foul balls. In reply to this, we can only
say that if the ball, from a stroke of the
bat, first touches the ground, the person
of player, or any other object behind the
range of the home and the first base, or
home and the third base, it is termed foul,
and must be so termed by the umpire
without suggestion from any one. If three
balls arc missed by the striker, having
been struck at, and the last one is not
caught either flying or upon the first
bound, it is considered fair, and the striker
must attempt to make his run. The striker
is out if foul ball is caught either before
touching the ground or upon the first
bound or if three balls are struck and
missed, and the last is caught either before
touching the ground or upon the first bound ;
or if fair ball is struck, and the ball is
caught before 1t has touched the ground !;
or if fair ball is struck, and the ball is held
by an adversary on the first base before
the striker reaches that base. There are
many other rules connected with the game,
but we think the foregoing will be sufii-
cient to give an idea of the manner in
which it is played. The conclusion con-
sists of nine innings TO each side, when,
should the number of runs be equal, the
play shall be continued until majority of
runs, upon an equal number Of innings,
shall be declared. There are also various
rules for the regulation of matches, the
appointment and duties of umpircs, the
law against bets, etc., etc. !; all of which are
doubtless familiar to the members of our
clubs, and of no great interest to the public.
We may state, however, that no person
who is in arrears to any other club, or who
shall at any time receive compensation for
his services as player, is competent to play
in any match and that every match must
be decided by the best two games out OF
three, unless single game is decided upon
by the contesting clubs.
In concluding this somewhat elaborate
article upon the subject of base ball, We
may state that it is seriously in contem-
plation to form club for the purpose Of
playing heavy base by the most weighty
(avoirdupois) and influential men in Rich
mond. We have in our possession the
names of the first nine who have already
agreed to become members, and we may at
no distant day, or at least so soon as the
organization is perfected, give more par.
ticular description of the Heavy Base
Ball Clnb." Their first game will be
looked forward to with much interest.
A HEAVY THErr.-A negro named
George Gillett was arrested yesterday and
committed to the first station-house on
the charge of stealing sixty-eight pounds
of ron from the Virginia Central Railroad
| Con,papy Whether George intended tC