The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-22
INSTRUCTIONS TO umprRrs.
President Young Ampiifies Certain Rules
Experience Suggests

BpeciaI TO the indianapolis Journal
WAsHINGToN, April 2I.-President N E
Young. of the National League. has rsconsid-
cred his determination not to issue the usual
annual Instructions TO umpires. He has pre-
pared che following ampliications of the rules
and suggestions that naturally follow upon the
experience of the past season. devotiug special
attention to the regulations for the preservation
of good order and the elevation of the national
game The text Of the instructions follows
while the changes effected in the playing
rules of the National League since the close of
the past season are in the main of minor char
acter. there are. nevertheless, number of points
10 which have deemed it advisable to call your
attention, chiefly with view to obplatng, as
much as possible, the EN- barrassiDg situations
in which the umpire frequently finds himself
placed-situatlcDs in which prompt and inteI-
gent action will often cave to umpire his local
popularity X the section In which he may be
working. and add materially to his usefulness
Is Il member of the staff
During the past season there was. perhaps
no point OF play so Vexing in the continued con
trogersy accustomed by the inconsistent ruling
of the several umpires of the staff the ques-
ton as to what should constitute correct posi-
ton on tbespart Of the pitcher this
trouble arose from lack of attention in the open
ing games to this very important provision. My
attention was frequently called to the apparent
oversight, and took early occasion to issue
supplementary instructions the point. 1t
WAS then too late. however, to entirely remedy
the difficulty and its bad effects were seen even
in the closing games of the season. when the
question to she correct position OF pitcher
caused contention on the field and made re-
peated decisions by the umpire necessary.
The chief point to be observed was the indi-
v;dual peculiarly of the veteran pitcher OF the
Aague who last year virtually obliged to
D. gin anew under the radically altered rules.
The Young twirlers who have come into the
ranks OF the leading clubs within year so,
easiy acquired the new CODE but there is likely
e tendency the part OF the old men TO
reiausa into the easier and perhaps more effect
i've, style of delivery practiced by them before
lie drafting of the new rules. Umplres should
o closely the regulation which provides
tkat the pitcher 'shall not raise his right foot,
u.less in the act OF delivering q ball. nor make
more than one step in such delivery" The
umpire should carefully note whether in taking
position the right foot Tor left if the pitcher be
lefthandedJ is on the rear line OF the box" his
left Tor forward foot in front of the right and to
the left of an imaginary line drawn from bis
right foot to the center of the home base. In
accordance with my supplementary instructions
of last season would say that for convenience
this imaginary line may be supposed to pass
from the center OF the home plate through the
ball OF the rear foot.
''In Rule prohibition is found against
the captain coAcher leaving the coachers line
except upon appeal to the umpire. This
regulation should be strictly enforced by the
ina position of the fine vded for It's violation
A strict adherence to il will speedily stop the
hisrepntable practice of some coachers who for
the purpose of discopcerting the players of the
opposing side, run rapidly up the base path TO
give the impression that runner is coming in
from third In this con nection it is also neces-
gAry TO observe the fourth section OF Rnle 22,
providing that no player OF the side at
bat except when batsmsn. shall occupy any
portion or the space within the coacher's lines
Thin rule should be strictly enforced; the umpire
willfiud il to mis- own advantage TO keep clear
as much of the ground back of the plate as
possible The provision of Section of the
samerule is also important in this connection;
prohibiting other players than the captains and
one assistant from occupying the space between
the layers lines and the CAPTAINS lines Many
dispites may thus be obviated. and the umpire
salt Tram fha
bnllozing methods still followed by certain
plA,ers.
los of SeCtion2, Rnls b. we're drafted to expedite
IL game Balls should be promptly furnished
b the home club and when but one or TWO arc
s play the umpire will do we'll to observe wbsth-
there are others at hand to be put in play
immediately. Remembers. also. that tbs mo-
gent the umpire delivers thu alternate ball to
ae catcher or pitcher Is comes into play, and
hall not be exchanged until it in turn passes
at of sight. or to foul ground
LET me repeat here what / said last year
18th regard TO the ball becoming ripped or mis-
hauen. In enforcing this provision. the cues
Jon of degree should not be taken into consider-
ton. If she umpire Is satisfied that tho ball 10
lot practically perfect sphere he should call
br new one. A ball perfectly ROUND will
ct take true fight nor will 1t bound at q pat-
raj angle. The slightest deviation In shape
hOuld be taken sufficient cause for the en-
brcement OF this rule. Prompt decisions should
10 rendered IN all these che point is too
5ften raised simply TO cause delay IN the game
The sole Judge of play and is entitled to the re-
ipect of the spectators: any person offering any
INSULT or indIgnity 20 him must be promptly
ieeted from the grounds Umpires will consult
heir own interests quite as much as those OF the
ssme generally, in strictly enforcing this rule
They should allow no question OF decisions oy
olayers other than that provided for IN the
sIause of Rule z. referring to q misinterpreta-
ion of the rules As have said before, the in
snt Of this restriction upon players = % par an
sision il must stand without comment from the
players. unless the captain shall deem that the
umpire, in formulating his Judgment OF the
NAV nuta q wong construction upon the WRIT
ten law of the game Even IN THIS event u
should be remembered that the umpire Is the
sole Judge though in such cease he Is at liberty
10 give the objecting captain hearing Inc
umpire, however, Is the supreme authority on
the interpretation Of a rule during the progress
II do not know that can find batter place
than right here call your attention to the
necessity Of tho utmost accuracy IN renoelng
base decisions. While May spectators ana
several of the players in contest may form an
opinion on the question of strike or called
ball, very few are in a position TO Judge Win
eny special deeree of accuracy, fact when All
fair minded spectators fully realizs. I'm the
ether hand, there will hardly be found within
the Enclosure of a background man or BOY
who dcer not at once form deeply-rooted
opinion upon every base decision that is made.
The umpire is either right or wrong, IN MS
estimstiob, and is therefore efficient or ineom-
peteat Another point In this connection, now
ever is OF even more importance When the
player makes the run from first TO second base
there are certainly two men Ia the held who
know whether the umpire's decision is correct
or uot-ths base runner and the player on sec
ond base. If the umpire is wrong he 10 bound
e suffer il the estimation of the players gensr-
ally. and nothing ~ more demoralizine to the
game than TO have il proceed under the direction
Of umpire IN whose Judgment the players
have little or no confidence.
ssJfmpires should avoid addressing the audi
Snce 10 explanation Of decisions points OF
plAy except wien absolutely necessary, Above
All things. he should refrain from replying TO
uncom piimentary remarks which close dscis-
ions frequently evoke from excited individuals
during well-contested games.
.tRula 40 refers 10 the condition under which
game shall be drawa, and upon these points l
would Ike 20 impress The minds OF All unplTes
There it, perhaps, 10 incident IA the whole sun
Yosr's campaign az productive Of dissatisfaction
as the average game called account of dark
- While IL will DO readily admitted that the