The times., 1898-03-03
Proceedings in Detail.

St Louis March 2.-When the Nation
al League delegates met this morning
they proceeded to tackle the playing
rules, over which there was a long con-
troversy There were two reports, one
submitted by Hart and Reach, who form
ed the majority of the regular commit
tee, and another by Hanlon. who repre-
sented the minority. There were few
changes made in the majority report, eS-
cept on the umpire question. Hart made
the original suggestion that an umpire be
empowered to suspend a player for kick
ing. the umpire TO name the period. Han
Ions suggestion was that an umpire
might put a player out of the game and
forthwith notify the president Of the
league, who should suspend the player.
The Hart rule carried the day. although
the Hart ideas were a bit modified.
As the umpire question was the most
important. il took at least two hours and
a half 10 come TO definite conclusion, af-
ter which it was decided that the duties
OF the judges of play should should be
covered by the following rules:
Rule 54-When two umpires are assigned to
duty each shall serve in his regularly appointed
position. and discharge the duties OF the same as
provided for by this code OF rules
Rule 55-No umpire shall be changed during the
progress of championship game except by
reasons OF Illness injury.
Rule 5G-When two umpiTes are assigned, one
! shall be snown as the umpire and the other
as the assistant umpire" The formers regular
position in the game shall be behind that of the
batsman and the iatter's position in the field.
and the umpires shall not exchange duties except
by consent of the captains.
Rule 51-The umpire shall perform ali the duties
devolying on a single umpire, except giving de-
cisions on first. second and third bases and de-
Gliding points OF play in the running of such bases
l. which shall deyolvc upon the assistant umpire
except as regards thid base whenever any other
base j. occupied
Rule 5s-The umpire shall act as the government
representative OF the League and such. shall
have the power to enforce every section OF the
code.
Rule 59-Under no circumstances shall any play
or be allowed 10 dispute decision, and dccis-
ion shall be reversed except il be plainly shown
by the code of RULES To have been illegal and in
such case the captain alone shall be allowed to
make the appeal for reversal
Rule Gl-In all cases of violation OF these rules.
either by a player or manager, the penalty
shall be prompt removal OF the offender from the
grounds, followed 10y such period of suspension as
! the umpire or the president OF the League may
! elect. provided the term OF suspension by the
umpire shall not exceed three days, including date
| Of removal.
These are the vital points which are
! expected to suppress kicking on the dia-
| mond this year. IT will be noticed that
| the umpire has the power now to sus-
pend player three days or a shorter pc
| riod of time and there is no appeal That
/
ing, while the use Of filthy language will
be attended to by the Brush resolution OF
! yesterday
There was no change in the bunt hit
rule, and the balk rule was simply made
clearer
Fines have been done away with en-
tirely, and players who are inclined to
wrangle will be put out of the game with
| out ceremony.
Brush made a strong plea to have the
| maEnates sign an expression of views on
| kicking, and found Soden, Reach Rode-
| ers, Hart. Robson, Muckinfuss and Wag-
| ner were with him, although 90 official
| vote was taken.
The schedule is based on the new-fan.
gled four-trip idea, and is wholly an ex.
pertinent.
Eleven club presidents tonight placed
| themselves on record in such a manner
that they cannot violate their agreement
without mourning the censure and suspi.
cion of the public. Brush proposed ar
agreement whereby each club owner ol
| president contract to compel his PLAYER:
to obey the rules in every particular ant
TO uphold the umpire under every condi
ton. There was little or no argumen
when Brush brought his agreement to tn,
front. Soden. of Boston, stated when tn,
names of the delegates were called fol
and their signatures requested that ne haC
hoi peeh authorized Dy freedman, OF New
York, TO sign any document or to pledg,
that club to any such agreement 1t was
therefore. decided TO send the agreemen
| with all the signatures attached to Freed
man without delay with the request tha
he sign ii as soon as possible
| 1t was voted 10 hold the next meetin,
in New York. II was also decided t,
leave the vacancy created on the nation
al board open until the expiration of tn
term.
The meeting adjourned at midnight.