The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-12-05
SPORTING AFFAIRS.
In 5ortant Meeting of the Ma
ton ! Baseball League.
SOME CHANGES IL TIE RULES.
The ChicaEo Baseball P=rI. rrsnE-
fprred lDto an Arena for u inter
sports ana Pss;imes.
CHICAGO, November =. 1886.

CHICAGO, November -. 1855.
Correspondence o. TIE HERALD.
The past week has b-en RI unusually
eventfuI one il the history OF sar na-
tional game and' will unlaes;ic5a BY
live long N the annals Of bGseolilEs one
il which d greater Eam5s- and more
radical changes have been made IN old
established rules than mas ever besn at
tempted before The annual meeting Of
the National League. which has aiv US
been anticipated with The greatest de-
gree Of interest in every city in the coun-
try where baseball = played. has passed
IN quietly and sOber.y; the delegates
have accomplished some excellent work
OF q nature that can scarcely prove
otherwise than greatly beneficial 70 the
future interests Of the psstime, aud IL
now only remains for the American A.
ISOLATION, second in influence and iuIpUr
lance as an organization 10 the National
League, TO meet the reform moves Of the
league half way. On MouCav. the 18th
INST. the members OF the ioiut rules
committee, composed OF delegates from
both the League and American AssOcia o
ton, met IN TINS city 10 alter the p-ay ing
rules of each Of these great OrgAniz 4
tons into a standard code for the gov
eminent of all professional ball clubs in
America. OF at least those playing bJll
under the national agreement Tue cOm-
mittee's work extended through two
DAYS time, aud has resulted in some eI-
cellent amendments and changes which
r-sa ar.R
baton OF ball players and lovers of the
game the country over. Next year the
home plate Will De OF white rubber in
stead OF stone, thus lessening the danger
OF injury 10 the sliding basemRu.
In case of postponement on account
OF rain before the completion of the
third inning, rain checks will be issued
10 spectators, good for the succeeding
game. The pitchers box has been
shortened and restrictions imposed.
which il is believed will lessen the speed
of all pitchers next year. The b Oh and
low ball system OF delivery has been
abolished, and in future any ball pass
ing over the plate between the knee and
shoulder of the batsman will be con-
sidered fair. To equalize things, how
ever. i've balls ana four strikes will be
allowed instead of six balls and three
strikes, as heretofore.
Coaching has been greatly restricted.
and coachers will next season be con-
fined 10 q small space near first and
third bases, and will not be allowed TO
address the battery or umpire, or to say
anything not necessary TO direct their
base runners. During the meeting. Cap
talns Arson Of Chicago, COmisky of ST.
Louis, SwsrtTood of BROOKLYN. and
Ward of New York. were present, and
aided the committee by their
suggestions.
Inc joint rules committee got through |
with its work III good time. and on Wed.
nesdsy morning. the 18th. the board OF
directors oil the National League met at |
he fremont House, and adopted the |
entire report OF the joint committee. |
The case Of A. G. Spalding and the
Chicago club came mp for considers-
lion, and great deal of documentary |
evidence was submitted, bu: Mr.. Spaid-I
ING, seeing that the case il pressed by /
him would consume much OF the valu-I
2ole time Of the convention. told she
directors what he thought of Mr. lrwin's
and how greatly such conduci
upon the ball field impaired the popu-l
aTitY Cf the game, withdrew his charges
against the captain OF the Philadelphia
club, and the board Of directors adj
'ourned 10 give way to the annual meet
ng Of the National League.
Two or more representatives were pre-
'ent from each league club, together
With President Nick Young and "A
lundred others, ali Weli-knoHn, and
many prominently identified with the
game. Both in point of attendance and
he amount OF business transacted. the
Meeting was one of the most notable
leld in the history Of the league.
The most important transaction Of the
irst days proceedings was the admis-
ion TO the league OF the Pittsburg clubI
rom the ranks of the American Assu-I
iation. The transfer was in a measure
but the suddenness with which
was effected somewhat startled even
he Oldest Of old tim p. iPittsburg has
God club and Is q first-claSs baseball
ity. Everybody in Chicsg0 is glad Of (:
Ter admission to the league, and all look
Or the reorganization and strengther-I ,
q, o. the Aueghenys this winter TO An
I;ent that will enable them 10 play ball
nth the best OF the league clubs next :
ear.
Itwas not until the second days SEES
on OF the meeting that q storm cloud
rose, and this grew from the pro
Osal OF some vi the eastern CLUB repreS-l
ltstiyes 10 abolish the old plan Of di-
ding the gate receipts between compet-
g clubs after game, and substitute q t
larantee system instead. For instance, o
hen Detroit played game at Chicago
would receive SIS (guaranteed) in
cad OF its 81 per cent Of the total re Z
ceipts. as has heretofore been the Gus I
IN. The eastern clubs were all IN C
yor OF the guarantee system, and the Z
estern clubs seemingly Opposed 70 il a
etToit was very bitter againStit and its
.legates. President Stearns aud Mama 2
II Watkins, foughtIt hard. The entire c
ternoon was spent IN discussing il.
ID the meeting finally adjourned with "
It deciding il. " hen the que tioa s.
me up ~ the evening vote was q
ken, ana the guarantee amendment "
rriei by vote o. Is 20 >. the fOar east c.
L cities and Chicago and ST. Louis Il
ting IN the affirmative. The Detroit o
iegates were very wroth and on Fri q
v, the day following the adjournment Il
the meeting. announced the.r inien-. 81
N of Withdrawing from theleague and "
rrFrar- rive an = nF the A un-rfraTr acN q,