The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-17
TIE NATIONAL GiBE.
THE JOINT RULES COMMITTEE
MEET
And Make n Number of Changes in
the Rules OF Last Season That
Will Prove AdVantag eOus.

League and American Baseball Asso.
citation resumed its session early this
morn ing, but up to noon had taken
no sciion on any OF the subjects under
discussion. The forenoon was devoted
o a proposed change OF the rule re-
lating to high aud low balls. 1t is
proposed to have but one style of bal,
to be called stair ball" the range OF
which shall be between the knee and
shoulder.
At the close Of the days eesion, nu.
merous changes had been decided
upon. In place OF the stone at the
home pla'e base similar in size but
made of white rubber was recon-
mended. The position of first and
third bases was moved seven and a
half inches. so that the bags would be
inside the foul lines, thereby helping
the umpire in deciding whether a hit
fell in fair or foul ground. The new
rules of the American As.ocistion
concerning The position OF coacheIs
were faVorably received. They re
quire that TO Coacher shall not be near
er than sixty.five feet to the home
plate, thereby preventing coacher
from running along the line from third
base to the home plate TO disconCert
an opposing player. Action on the
pitcber'e rules and locaio of the
pitchers bJx was laid over until to-
morrow. The league rule concerning
the position of benches aud bat racks
WAS Incorporated in the rules of the
American Association. 1t was unani-
mously agresd that in the future all
clubs playing under the national
agreement shall use either the
SpAlding or Roach ball. This was
done 10 prevent the using of dead
balls, colt pals, or lively sllsbY o, her
associations in their exhibitions with
league or asloc alton clubs and to
make standard ball 1t was also re-
quired OF the American Associa ion
that each ball must be weighed,
measured and sealed, with the name
of the secretary upon the box con-
tanning the ball, the same IS is in
vogue in the lea Ne. Iu the using OF
two balls the committee suggests that
when ball is bait, d cut Of sight OF
the players another must be substi-
tuted, instead Of waiting until the
battt d ball is returned. Whenever a
ball is ripped or damaged another
must be at oEce brought into play.
The American Association was al
lowed to use the fiat bat, as it 80 de-
sres, the same as the league. The
league field rules, with the sight
modifica ions, were also extended to
the association cans.
The high aud low ball system OF de.
livery has been abolished, any ball
now being considered air thai passes
the player between his shoulder end
knee aud that passes over the plate.
Bunting will in future not be allowed
any obvious attempt to make a foul
hit will be scored as a strike. Clubs
will not toss for choice of position in
future, the right of choice invariably
resting with the hcme club. Five
balls and four strikes will BE- allowed,
Instead OF six bal s and three SIR kes,
as heretofore. When a batsmau takes
his base on balls he shall be credited
with base hit. A batsmau shall
tske his base when struck by a pitched
ball, Any motion whatever on the
part Of the pi cher made 10 deceive
the bat er shall be considered back.
Many Of the no Important changes
inc rpoTated thus far have bsen at the
suggestion OF the Advisory Board,
composed OF Captains Arson, Ward,
Cumtkey and SEartwood, who, it
is heizved, are ca ryiDg out the
views and wishes of the great ma
joriiy Of the players in both Of the
great Organizations. Pc feet harmony
seems to exist between the committee
and this boa d, end the work has been
greatly simplifed and rendered far
more effective by the admi sion OF the
players as personalities to the
council. A number of baseball mag
mates ard others prominent in the
affairs OF the national game arrived
this morning, and others will reach
here tonight and tomorrow morning.
Among the late corners are Frederick
Stearns, president Of the Detroit club;
Jno. B. Sage, exp esident of the Buff
falo club; Jno. T. Morrow, president
of the Southern League; Manager
Watkins, of the Detrolts, and Cliff
Carroll, of ths WashiDgtnns; President
Hewitt and Manager Gdffney, OF the
Wsshin- tons; A. II. Soden, Of the
Bostone, and representatives of the
Kansas City and st. Louis teams will
be here this evening.
One of the important matters to
come before the league meeting to-
morrow is the completion Of the league
circuit for the following year. Tee
president of league club stated to a
reporter this morning that he believed
the question OF the circuit would be
settled before tomorrow night. Pitts
burg will be represented here tomor-
row, and the delegate is now here,
though who he is could not be ascer-
tanned. League officials say nothing
when questioned about the matter,
1t is rumored, however, that Kansss
City will be dropped and Pittsburg
will be admitted to fill the vacancy.
CHANGES IN TIE RULES
II in running to base the runner
touches and detaChes the base bag
without being touched by the base
man, he will be safe.
Captains Of clubs only can question
any decision Of an umpire.
The old rule re quiring the runner to
return to his base on run when foul
hit is made was resclnded.
Hereafter runner can walk to his
base. No runner eau have a substi.
tute runner for him in case of an in
Jury, but If hurt must retire from the
game. A batter is out on fourth strike
under the new rule, whether the ball
is dropped or passed by the catcher.
The question Of having two umpirss
and referee was brought up but the
majority of the committee voted
agsinst the scheme and it was dropped.
A modification OF umpires' rules Of
both organizations was adopted. The
pitchers box was shortened to FIVE
and a half and the pitcher will
be required to keep his forward
foot firmly on the ground when about
to deliver the ball. His rear foot must
be on the back line OF the box, and
he will be allowed to take bat one
step when delivering the ball. The