The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-30
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES.
Things That Baseball Players Want to
KuOX Now.

In every part of the country baseball Is
picking up, and within two weeks the play
crs of the Seattle professional team viii
be dropping into the city ready to get. a
few kinks out OF their arms. Every day the
boys are playing games In vacant lots.
and II nine innings pass without a violent
discussion on some point of base ball lAw
not adjudicated for 1896 something is lack
ing Following will be found ali the amend
ments made TO the playing rules. as printed
In the st. Louis Sporting News:
Rule II. section 2. has been amended by
adding this clause to IL: AT no time shall
the ball be Intentionally discolored by
rubbing IL with the soil or otherwise" This
puts a stop to such delays as were INDUCED
In last season, when a new ball was put in
play. Another addition 10 the same rule
was made TO section g. which now requires
the homo club TO have at least dozen new
balls at hand for immediate use In every
championship game. This will prevent
such trouble as occurred on the Louisville
grounds last year.
Rule 20 was amended by the addition of n
clause which reads. "All players of the
side at the bat must be seated on this
bench except such as are legally assigned
to coach base-runners' captain
and one asslstant-'and also the batsman
when called to the bat by the umpire"
But the bstsmsn even must be seated ON
tha bench until the umpire calls play to
the bat" Under no circumstances shall
the umpire permit any person-eNcept the
club presidents. the managers and .he play
ers IN uniform-to occupy seats on the
bench" This IL a mnch-needed change.
Last year the rule on this point was vio-
lated with impunity.
Rule -. section T. governing forfeited
games. states that "A forfeited game shall
b. declared by the umpire when a team re-
sorts TO any dilatory movements to delay
the game. This puts a stop 20 the tricks
adopted by the losing side TO delay the
game when a rain storm Is impending. or
darkness approaching.
. Rule ~ has been amended hy repeating
the clause referring TO the Hitcher. as fcl-
lows: He shall hold the ball before the
delivery. fairly in front Of his body ana in
sight Of the umpire" Leaving the clause
out Of the rule enables the umpire to
stand behind the pitcher in judging balls
and strikes Last year every time ne did
so he violated rule :, In one respect. as lie
thereby rendered Il Impossible for he
pitcher 10 observe this part of the iuie.
An amendment made TO rCle % gets ri
of difficulty which previously existed.
and that Is IN regard to the definition OF a
fair ball. For instance. one rale said a
fair hall Is ball delivered h. the pitcher.
while lnoth'r rule said. ~ fair ban is
hall hatted." Ths amendment 20 rule a.
now says: \ fairly delivered ball 20 tho
bat IS a ball pitched or thrown 70 the hat
which passes orar any pDr.l9n Of the home
bag Tho woods ANY portion DO Tot
really mean more than the old words
'-over the io-0a base" though notice
that the chaase Is regarded as lead Eng
tho close ie.iVo y known as "cittiGs the
corners ~ the rtatN" The Oh wording. CT
course. means any portiln q ,Fe base
just as much - the new wording. Crly
the latter perhaps. emphasizes the meaning
Of the rule more.
Rule e. section = now reiis as follows:
'Balk shall be declared whenever the
pitcher makes any attempt to deliver the
hall 20 tho bat when his pivot foot Is not
In direct contact with the rubber plate Of
his position" Here Is a direct penalty in
ffirteA ron his failure 10 keep one foot on
the rubber when In the act - delivering
the ball 20 tho bat. ~ course. the UNI
PRO can SEQ whether the pitchers foot Is
on 'he plate when he Judges ball and
strikes While standing behind The pitcher
hat he cannot DO IL wAile Standing behind
tho hsisman. and iust here II is where the
present box is defective