The Saint Paul globe., 1897-02-08
CHANGES MADE FOR 1897
TEND TO PUT A STOP TO PETTY
CHICKERING'S IN THE
FIELD.
GAG PUT ON THE COACHERs.
Only One Allowed, Except When
Bases Are Fuli-Text of the
Changes.


Hart, chairman; Edward Hanlon, and
a. j. Reach, the committee of the
National Base Ball league appointed
to recommend changes in the code of
rules, have submitted their report to
President Nick Young. The report is
as follows:
We recommend no change in rules
1 to 13 inclusive. which are those gov
erning the laying off Of a ball ground,
but suggest the Incorporation in the
rules of foot note calling attention to
an addenda to the playing rules, in
which will be found directions for "a
simple way for laying off a ball field"
which is as follows:
Lay a line from center of backstop cut
into the field 212 feet S12 inches to second
base. Al 80 feet from backstop place home
piate with tape line dividing it diagonally.
Between $50 feet inches and $50 feet 10
inches from the backstop place the pitchers
plate, with the tape line dividing il at the
center. 153 feet 79l inches from backstop drive
stake. At right angles to the tape line
ana bS feet "a inches from the stake and 80
ieet from both home plate and second base
pace hrst base on one side and third base
on the other. This done, remove the stake.
Lay lines connecting the bases thus laid
forming the diamond, extending the lines
from home base and first base and home
base and third base in each direction to the
1ence, thus forming the foul lines and the
cateher's position. Parallel with these lines
and 90 feet away, lay the players lines, ex-
tending from the intersection with lines al
ready laid 20 feet. From this point lay lines
at right angles TO lines just described end
ing at the base lines. At right angles to
these and parallel to the base lines is feet
distance, lay the coachers' lines extending
say 80 feet towards the outfield Parallel
with and three feet distant from the base
lines from home base to first base lay a
.99 nne 99eglnnlng 10 feet from home plate and
extending just past first base. On each side
OF the home plate parallel with line from
center OF backstop to. second base and six
inches distant from home plate lay lines
feet long, running feet each way from
line through the center of home plate; also
lay other lines parallel with and feet
these into paraIlelograms feet BY s in di-
ton.
Observe rules II, u and 13.
We consider these directions neces
sary. The rules, as printed, are posi-
lively correct, but being drawn from
surveyors standpoint, are SO bur
dened with technicalities as to render
them almost undeflnable by any play
er or the average ground keeper.
In section 2, of rule A. regarding
the ball, we suggest the addition
of the words: I'm the event Of a new
ball being Intentionally discolored or
otherwise injured by player the UNI
pire shall, upon appeal from the cap
tain of the opposite side, forthwith de-
snail
substitute another new ball, and i'm
pose fine Of S. upon the offending
player" This addition is made so that
the umpire may more easily enforce
the requirement of the rule
In rule II, following the word pitch
er" is added: while in the act Of de-
livering the ball to bat" This is
20 make the rule more explicit
PLAYERS BENCHES.
"a
20, which relates to players benches, a.
new section, which is as follows:
Section 2 To enforce this rule, the cap
tam OF the opposite side may call the at
tentIon OF the umpire to violation, where
upon the umpire shall Immediately order
such player or players to be seated. If the
order is not obeyed within one minute the
ofending player or players shall be debarred
from further participation in the game and
shall be obliged to leave the playing field
forthwith.
In section 6, Of rule 25, change Is
made whereby what did read rule 60,
section 8" now reads rules 20 and 60 y
To the section of the same rule which
requires the umpire to notify the presi-
dent of a forfeited game, is added the
to1IoWing: However, a failure on the
part Of the umpire to so notify the
president shall not affect his decision
declaring the game forfeited - This is
done to avoid technicality
section 1, of rule q, relating to
substitution IS made to read as Gin
every championship game each side
Shau be required to have present on
the field, in uniform, a, sufficient num-
Der OF substitute players to carry out
the provisions which requires that not
less than nine players shall occupy
the field in any innings of a game -
Rule 30, regarding baking, is changed
position is added: IF the pitcher fails
to comply with the requirements of
this rule the umpire must call a
balk.'"
Rule 80, regarding baking, is changed
by inserting in section 4, Immediately
after the word long" LAS in the opin-
ion Of the umpire And the addition
in section of who is standing in posi-
tion to pitch, without having the ball
In his possession except in case Of a
blocked ball. as provided in rule 50,
section %
Section 1. of rule 81, which requires
players to be seated on the players
benches, although not changed much in
diction, is radically changed in effect,
now reading:
Immediately return to the players bench as
defined in rule 20, and there remain until the
side is put out, except when called to the
bat or they become substitute base runners
provided that the captain or one player only
Except that if base runners occupying
each and all, first. second and third bases)
then the captain and ore player or two players
may occupy the space between the players
lines and the captain lines to coach base
runners.
But one coacher is thus permitted
when less than three base runners are
or the bases in the uniform Of the club
who may stand in either box known a.
the cOacher's box. This change Is rec
commended because it has been proven
IN the past that the presence of two
coachers allows a "crossfire'' of talk
between them foreign to the game, and
frequently of a character Objectionable
to the spectators.
THE BATTING RULES
have been changed in diction mate
rally, but not in their requirements
We recommend that they stand as fol
lows:
Rule 3S. Section 1. fair hit is a ball hat
ted by the batsman, while he is standing within
the lines of his position that first touches
the umpire, while standing in fair ground
and then settles in fair ground before passins
the line Of frst or third bases.
Sec. 2. A foul hit is a similarly batted bal
that first touches foul ground, or the per.
son Of a player, or the umpire while stand
ing on foul" ground.
Sec. 3. Should such "fa1r hit" ball bound
or roll to foul ground before passing the lin,
of first or third base and settle on foul ground
it shall be declared by the umpire foul ball
Sec 4. Should such foul hit'' bell bound
or roll on fair ground and settle there be
fore passing the line Of first or third base
it shall be declared by the umpire a "fai
ball.
Rule &c. A foul tip is a ball batted by tn,
batsman while standing within the lines o
his position that goes foul sharp from tn,
bat to the catcher's hands.
PM A hunt hit IS a hall delivered n,