The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-21
GOSSIP OF THE DIAMOND
TINE BxsE-BAIJ MAGyATE rs AGAIN
UP AND ABOUT.
ghe Rules Have Been Changed, but do Not
Materially Affect tho Game as Played
in Richmond Last Season.


about baseball and fits players. The
e,ornd in the inheid nay stin be frozen
,od the bases may yet be covered with the
eefcv blanket OF snow, but the baseball
r,aenate is UP and about with an earliness
only cQralled by the lark. and at meet
,re IN New York last week a committee
renresenting the National League changed
some OF last years rules. They were
1tc,9rs Brush Byrne and Nandernorst,
and they viii report in detail TO the
League meeting on March eth. The sub
Fantlal results Of their action IS as fol-
lows.
No enlargement Of the lnheld now in
4. Removal Of the pitcher from his pres
c.i position 10 the centre Of the infield;
ABOLISH tie pitchers box and substitute
therefor boundary plate, covering
twelve inch space to which the pitcher
VIII oe confined
. Abolition Of the Fat bat.
e. a lucid definition Of the balk ball.
A simplidcation OF the rules pertain
ire Sc the actual playing OF game
o. The codifying of all rules applying
io the duties, and powers and RESPONSE
buues Of umpires.
3D. A ruic governing official scorers which
provides that player who makes a sac
rteo hit which advances a base-runper
t.al not be charged with a time ut bat.
The most important change suggested
is inc enc relating 10 the pitcher. but the
wording Of the bulletin given out by the
committee, is so ambiguous and vague
trlt 30 IS not fully understood The sec
,.i ommendation pertaining 10 this
p.at says. Abolish the pitchers box
ard substitute therefor a boundary plate.
covering a twclve-inch space, 10 which the
81 .her VIII be confined"
strict interpi citation OF that would
r..u that the pitcher would have 10
stand ou a twclve-inch strip Of ground
Nu delivering the BAN. The intention
0 lHe iIle is probably 10 use the twelve
ir strip Of ground as a line beyond
Do The pitcher may not step That
.ru would be in the centre of the dia-
..... something more than siNty-thr2e
tt distant from the home plate. There
AIMS 10 be no defined restriction as 10
pitchers run before delivering the
.ck EWinS may perhaps be a mem
lr of tho Cleveland Club the coming
s. son. but il there is a deal on foot TO
I.e him go to Cleveland, the
officials OF the local club, who
low in New York do not
las anything about IT, II President
Drank Robson went East for the purpose
D ,tiuc the old Giant. he kept his own
counsel pretty we'll and meant TO give
t..rriauiers a big surprise.
Treasurer Howard Robson. Of the
Cleveland Club. said a few days ago that
t.. r-t he had heard Of the deal which
Dad luiuE ln consideration was when
I. r..l that fact in the Plain Dealer 81
n.. about the most surprised man in the
tf- when ! picked mp the Plain Dealer"
sN.Ha a.fsN
learned that there was some talk that
IDiug was 10 be brought here. I thought
tl.- 4 knew something about what was
going on in the club, but l certainly did
l0t know that In fact. ! doubt very
much that there Us any truth in the
st0rg though / see that the New York
rau.rs say that there is q deal on foot.
know that Ewing would like 10 play
iu cleveland. for no longer ago than last
summer Dee told me himself he would like
"I haven't any idea where he would be
PLAYED were he "a member of the CleVe-
land Club. He might do in the outdeld,
g. DIS arm was all right Tebeau was as
much surprised as I was, when he read
fa- papers that morning, and found that
there was some talk about Ewing COM
frr l.re Neither DE nor l believe it 10
te rle.'
Nr James Venning. OF the Cleveland
Climb. is another official who doubts the
tt.-h 81 the story. "Of course" says he,
"se cannot tell whether il is true or not
until MI. Robson gets home, but 1 don't
believe that Ewing will come here"
If the great Buck does go to CleVe-
land be- viii. without a doubt. play in the
ouneld. The throwing from the outheld
u.s. hv no means as straining 10 the arm
.. ID is from behind the bat. Ewing
sold the writer in the fan Of 1891, when
DIS arm was at its worst, that when he
could O. ke a moment 10 get his arm IN
th- rlght position for throwing he could
-hro,y Just as far and with as little pain
ru himself as he ever could. 1t was
only when be was behind the bat and
had 90 make a quick snap OF the ball 10
second that his arm went back on him
If that IS so his place would be IN the
ol,hed.
The New York Baseball Club. after
considerable backing and filing, OH
..aIy announced a few days ago that
Ward would not only captain but also
manage the Giants this season. Although
'he local officials say that they do not
know what they will do with Mr. Powers,
s. is safe 10 predict ne Will probably re-
asu an connection with the club before
-.- season opens.
Tile New York Club made another move
besides the appointment Of Ward as man
4er They signed young Keller who
t.rel ttird base for the team during
t.e last TWO weeks OF last season. Keller
H q good player and a reliable hitter
and we'll thought of by Ward and other
prominent members OF the club. He viii
De placed AZ third base again this year.
ln regard 20 the signing Of Mike" Kelly
certain baseball man said:
"Nari wants 10 be the card himself but
g. Kelly came here he might have to
divide honOrs with the Boston player"
As telegram received from Boston says
Nat lIke Kelly has been Internationally
released by the Boston Club, and that
.r. club in the twelve club league is at
r.y to negotiate with him for the
coming season. This in itself would not
very important but with the dispatch
came "a statement which is very impor-
rnt 20 Cleveland and it's baseball in
tsts The telegram makes the asser-
SION that Cleveland and several other
a"os are after the once king OF the game,
and that Mr.. Robson wants 10 sign
m very badly. The story bears all the
or marks OF being untrue.
4 DANGEROUS PLACE.