Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-17
BASE BALL
Changes Made in the Rules of the
National League and American Base
Ball Association.
CHICAGO. Noy l6

CHICAGO, Nov. l6
The committee on rules Of the National
League and American Base Ball Association o
Resumed It's session early this morning and
the following changes we're made
The high and iow ball system of delivery
has been abolished. Any bali now being
considered fair that passes the PLAYER between
the shoulder and knee and that passes over
the plate
Bunting will in the future not be allowed.
Any obvious attempt 10 make q foul hit
will be scored as a strike.
Clubs will not toss for choice of position
In the future, the right of choice invariably
resting with the home club.
Five balls and four strikes will be allowed
instead of six balls and three strikes, as here
tofore
When batsmsn takes his base on balls he
shall De credited with base hit.
A batsman shall take his base when struck
by pitched bali.
Any motion whatever on the part of the
pitcher made to deceive the batter will be
considered balk
II IN running to a base a runner touches
and detaches the base bag without being
touched by the bsseman. he will be safe.
Only the captains of clubs can question anv
decision of an umpire.
The old rule requiring runner to return
to his base on run when a foul hit is made
was rescinded. Hereafter, the runner can
walk to his base.
No runner can have substitute run for
HIM. In the case of injury he must retire
from the game.
batter is out on the fourth strike under
the new rules whether the bail is dropped or
passed by the catcher.
ha %
referee was brnught up but majority of the
committee voted against the scheme and it
was dropped.
modification of the umpires rules of both
organizations was adopted
The pitchers box was shortened to five
and one-half feet and the pitcher will be re-
quired 10 keep his forward foot firmly on the
ground when about TO deliver a ball His
rear foot must be on the back line of the box
and lie will be allowed to take but one step
when delivering the bali. The ball must be
held in plain view of the umpire. The pitcher
cannot, AS heretofore, deliver the ball to the
batter after making feint to throw to first
base, but must resume his position in the
box.
Only two coachers i'll be permitted and
they shall have the right to talk to base run
ners only. For talking to a batsman the
coacher shall be reprlmanded for the first
offense and be forced to give up his coaching
and another man put in his place on a repiti-
tion of the fault.
In scoring when the batter is given his base
on called balls the hit is to be credited to the
batter and an error given to the pitcher.
All the battery errors are charged in the
summary as are earned runs, two and three
base hits, home runs, double plays, base on
balls, hit bv pitcher, passed balls, wild
pitches, time of game and name of umpire.
The pitcher will be given no credit for
strike out.
In the places of total bases the record of
stolen bases will be kept. Any attempt made
by the player to steal base must be credited
whether an error is made or not if the run
ner is successful in reaching the base.
The committee also passed a rule requiring
each association TO appoint joint rule com
mittee at each annual meeting, they to act
for year.
All clubs under the jurisdiction of the ma
tional agreement must abide by the rules
adopted which are known as the national
plaping rules of professional base ball clubs +"
Many of the more important changes in
corporated thus far have been at the sugges-
ton of the advisory board, composed of
Capts. Anson, Ward, Comiskey and Swart-
wood, who, it is believed, are carrying out
the views and wishes of the maj jority Of play
ers in both of the great organizations. One
of the more important matters to come before
the league meeting tomorrow is the complex
ion of the league circuit for the following
year. The president of the league club is
stated to have reported this evening that he
believed the question of circuit would be set
tied before tomorrow night.
Plttsburg will be represented tomorrow
and delegate Is here. 1t is rumored that
Kansas City will be dropped and Pittsburg
admitted.