The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-21
BAN BE RGER
BASEBALL RULES.
Changes and Modification Made by the Joint
COMMITTEES on RuIes.

|
Changes and Notifications Made by the Joint
Committee on Rules.
NEw YORK, Nov. 2O.-The corridors OF the
Fifth-avenue Hotel resoundsi this morning with
tho tread OF baseball men, who have come from
all parts of the country to improve the rules for
the government Of the national game next sea-
son. All the clubs OF tho League are repre-
sented, and the American Association has also
o fair representation. The absorbing topic OF
the various groups which gathered around the
hotel was the proposed resignation of the De-
troit club. 1t is considered probable that
the Cincinnati club will be given the COW
sted place. but Cleveland has . quiet boom,
looking to League honors. Manager Schmelz,
who represents Cincinnati, is said to be not oyer
anxious for the place, but IL invited. he may 90
into the League. The convention will be car
ried on in executive sessions, the joint rules
committee, consisting of c. II. Bryne, OF Brook
Ign; William Bsrnie, Of Baltimore, and Gus
Schmelz. OF Cincinnati, for the Association, and
Walter Spaldinc, OF Chicago: J. b. Day. of New
York, aud j. ID. Rogers. OF Philadelphia, Tor the
the League. meeting first
The joint rules committee went into session
shortly after noon, and by } o'clock completed
the largest Fart Of is work. An endeavor was
made by some few delegates to reintroduce the
nlG0 nnQ low Udll SYSTEM, Out tue majority were
against the idea and voted it down. One of the
most important subjects discussed was the po-
sition Of the pitcher. During the past season
some players complained that the pitcher
was not far enough away from
the batsnen, and that a position three or four
feet back would be more suitable. A motion 10
that effect provoked a warm discussion and was
voted down. AS the pitcher is now placed, no
has to turn slightly TO command q view of first
base. This turn. slight as it is, is Just the thing
which Oivag N rharra IN rpn If thu ntf0hap mas
placed back a few feet ne would be Rbls TO watch
both home plate and first base without turning.
thus considerably l~sssen!ng the chances of base
running. Since it WAS decided thar an umpire
with. rather than helped the batsmau. When a
batsmsn has hit a far ball. sending IL over
the pitchers head aud hitting the umpire, he has
no allowance aud Is compelled TO run. The
pitcher has only 10 stoop and pick up the bail In
order TO throw him out at first. To remedy
this, tho committee decided that q struck ball
constituted q base nit. aud gives the batsrnan a
base when 10 hits the umpire. In order 20 i'm
prove the order OF pitching. the COMMITTEES has
reduced the balls TO four fer next season. The
three strikes remain az usual. The rule re-
garding foul tips has been abolished. aud here
after a man will be allowed to run on them.
At the evening session of the joint rules COM
mittee Ii was decided to allow each club the
privilege OF having on the grounds q tenth
player. in full uniform. ready at the end Of an
even inning TO take the place of any player.
This man would be in addition to the substitute.
who has always been allowed to take the place
Of an injured player An attempt 20 introduce
a new rule. providing that a player who ran over
second base should not bs declared out. was
voted down.
AT 3 z. VI. tho committee met In conference
with the scorers ASSOCIATION TO ernbody in their
report tomorrow to the convention suggestions
about scoring changes given by the newspaper
men. The main subjec. discussed was the SIM
plihcatior Of tho tsbulated scores. 1t was gem
orally agreed that the stolen-baso column should
be done away with and IFS record included 10 the
summaries. 5lr. Byrns's suggestion that q sto-
lea base should be credited when a player sue.
ceeded 10 securing a base. after q fair ball
caught on fy. was generally approved.
New York special says il 10 quite certain
that both Indianapolis and Washington will
continue In the League. They seem to be per-
have made during the past season. Il don't
know what the trouble is with that Indianapolis
team" remarked a delegate. 1T is a fine club,
and should have done better" The fact ths,
tho League had control OF one or two of the
players Of the indianapolis club was given as a
cause for some Of the bad work Of the men dur
ing the past season. The club itself bad no con-
troll over these men more than TO let them do as
they Ileasod and Bay their salaries. They could
not let them 60 il they 80 desired. 1t is, there
fore, quite likely that the control OF these play
ers will be taken on. OF the hands OF the League
and turned over 20 the club with which they
are connected. This, il is thought, will remove
the handicap which was placed on the club.