Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-01
LEAGUE MANAGERS WILL MEET.
VIII Probably Have SIX Cinbn-Thc
Prospccts-Some New Rules.

VIII Probably Have SIX Cinbn-Thc
Prospccts--Sone New Rules.
The managers OF the Virginia Baseball
League will hold a meeting at the Lexins-
ton Hotel tomorrow to map out preHim'-
nary plans for the coming season
The principal questions TO be settled NJ
this meeting are the number OF ciuos
to compose the league and the GATE on
which the season Will open.
Popular sentiment is strongly IN iaVor
OF having only six clubs In the league,
and the number will probably be thus
restricted. though II may possibly be-
come necessary TO increase the number
10 eight. AS originally organized the
league consisted OF the Richmond. Peters
burg. Norfolk, Lynchburg, Roanoke, ana
stanton or Newport News-Hainpton
mines. All Of these clubs have signed
players with a view to continuing inns
year
PORTSMOUTH HAS A CLUB.
In addition to these club has been
organized In Portsmouth. with the under
standing that II will be admitted TO the
league, and an application has been
made for the admission OF a team from
Danville. The latter has been practically
given out. and the understanding up to
a few days ago was that Portsmouth
would be substituted for Newport News
Hampton. The latter club. however, does
not propose TO surrender lis franchise, and
as a result there are seven expecting ad-
mission In order TO arrange the schedule
Of games TO keep one club from lying
idle at any time II IL necessary that the
league should be composed of an even
number OF clubs. To accomplish this
either Portsmouth or Newport News must
be dropped or Danvile must be admitted.
II is probable that the former course
will be pursued. and that Newport News
Hampton will be dropped. The league
season will probably open early In April
The clubs will begin practising this
month.
At the meeting tomorrow a president
and secretary will have to be elected for
the league. Mr.. Sommsrs. the present ex-
ecutive. will not be a candidate for re-
election. Several gentlemen have been
named for the Office and a Richmond
man will probably be selected.
NATIONAL RULES CHANGED.
meeting OF the National League was
held in New York Wednesday and n num-
Der of changes were made In the rules
governing the game. Among the most i'm
pOrtant are these:
The size of the pitchers plate was in
creased 10 Lt&st Nlc0tS, anu IN future Wnen
n ball is lost any player will be allowed
TO discolor the new ball thrown into the
game The bat in future can be 2s4 inches
thick. instead of 2la inches as heretofore,
while rule 10. section 2. treating of the
much-discussed question as to the size of
the mitt TO be allowed. reads as follows:
THE catcher and first -baseman are per-
mtted TO wear glove or mitt of any
size shape. or weight. All other players
are restricted to the use of a glove or
mtt weighing not over ten ounces and
measuring In circumference around the
'r1lm of the hand not over Ii inches"
4 player ruled out of the game must
leave the field In one minute instead of
five.
1t was decided that a foul tip caught
by the catcher within the l0-foot line
should be called a strike.
Players using vulgar language on the
field are subject to fines OF s25 and 800. in
stead OF S and s35. as formerly.
All the Boston players have signed ex-
cept Nash. Duffy. Nichols. and Bannon.
and these Manager Se.ee does not antici-
pate any trouble In signing.
Mike frost. the catcher who was with
Petersburg last year. and had signed with
that club for this year. 1t transpirss had
signed also with Rochester and Nashville.
The league decided that he should play
with Rochester or not at all.