The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-20
NEW BASEBALL RULES
CHANGES PROPOSED BY NATIONAL
LEAGUE REVISION COMMITTEE.
Position of the Catcher, Players
Benches, BaIks and when the Bats
man Is OUTLAW for COachers.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-The committee
on revision of the code of playing rules Of
the National Baseball League has prepared
its report and forwarded the same TO Pres
ident Young. The report. which is signed
by it's three members of the committee
Messrs. Hart Reach and Hanlon-recom-
mends in substance the following changes in
the present rules:
Rule 1.-THE catcher must stand within the
lines of his position, as defined in Rule .,
whenever the pitcher delivers the ball to
the bat. This change is recommended 20
prevent the catcher from playing outside
the lines of his position in order to field
hunted balls, which action permits the
pitched ball to go to the backstop, from
whence it has to be followed, greatly delay
ing the game
Rule I9-Every club shall adopt uniforms
for its players, and the suits of each team
shall conform in color and style.
Rule 20 - The players benches must be
placed upon a portion of the ground twenty
five feet, no more. no less, outside of the
players lines. The benches must be COW
cred by roof and closed at the back and
at each end; a space, however, not more
than six inches wide may be left just under
the roof for ventilation Club presidents are
not, as formerly, permitted to occupy a
changed so that a player disobeyng the
rule in regard to taking his seat on the
bench may be fined $40, and if the umpire's
order is not then obeyed the offending
player shall be debarred from the game and
obliged to leave the field.
According to the terms of Rule "a, If
game is called on account of darkness or
rain if the side second at bat shall, before
the completion of its unfinished inning. have
one or more runs more than the side first
al bat the score shall be the total number
of runs made.
Rule p provides that substitute players
shall be required to wear uniforms conform
ing to the suits worn by their team mates
Rule 32-A balk shall be:
Section 2-The throwing of the ball by the
pitcher to any base to catch the base run
ner without first stepping directly toward
said base Immediately before throwing the
ball.
Sec. 3-Any delivery of the ball to the bat
by the pitcher while his pivot" foot is not
in contact with the pitchers plate and he
is not facing the batsman as defined in
Sec. Amy motion in delivering the ball
to the bat by the pitcher while not in the
position defined in Rule %.
Sec. 5-The holding of the ball by the
pitcher so long as. in the opinion of the
umpire to delay the game unnecessarily.
Sec 6-Standing in position and making
any motion to pitch without having the ball
in his possession.
Sec 8-If the pitcher delivers the ball to
the bat when the catcher is standing out
side the lines of the catchers position as
If the pitcher fails to comply with the re-
quirements Of any section of this rule the
umpire must call "balk." Sections l and
: are similar to the rules in force last sea-
son. These recommendations contemplate
radical changes and are in the interest OF
base-running.
Rule AZ provides that a fair batted ball
that goes over the fence at a less distance
than 2S5 feet from the home base shall en-
title the runner to two bases only.
Section of Rule 43 makes a caught foul
tip a strike.
To Rule 45. which defines when the bats
man is out, new section is added, as FOL
lows: IF, when leaving the home plate, a
batsman Injuries the umpire or catcher by
the act of throwing his bat, in such case no
bases shall be run or runs scored" This is
to prevent the vicious practice of intention
ally injuring an umpire or catcher by strlk-
Rule 46-The batsman becomes base
runner:
Section Instantly after "a bak' is
Section eff, While he be batsman. the
catcher interferes with him, preventing him
from striking the ball
Rule 81 makes it an offense for d coacher
to incite or try to incite the spectators to
demonstrations and he shall not use Ian
Suage which will in any manner refer TO or
reflect upon a player of the opposite club,
the umpire or the spectators. The umpire
shall at once fine a player $40 for Illegal
coaching end remove him from the game
for the second offense.
Rule 81, dealing with the powers of the
umpire, provides that in all cases of viola
tons of the rules by either player or man
ager the penalty for the first offense shall
be fine OF $40; for the second offerse re-
mOval from the game or grounds, to be fol-
lowed by suspension for such term the
president of the league may elect. A player
IdlIHS 10 Day a Illle WllIln IlNe Gays Sndl
be debarred from participation in champion
ship games until the fine is paid The UNI
pire shall make a full report by telegraph
when players offense is of a fragrant ma
ture, such as obscene language or an assault
upon the umpire. These changes are made
the committee says. because it is believed
that either the filming of player or de-
barring him from game or games by the
umpire is not alone sufficient The proposed
law makes the president of the league in
stead of the umpire the judge in extreme
cases.
Rule 60 provides that if there be open bet
ting and the attention of the umpire is
called to the offense by the manager or
captain of the visiting team, a full report
shall be made to the president of the league,
and if the charge be substantiated the game
shall be awarded to the visiting team by a
score of nine runs to nothing. The president
may in6ict such other punishment as he
may deem proper.
Rule Il provides that no manager cap
tain Or player shall address or motion to the
spectators or umpire during the progress of
the game except in case of necessary ex-
plaration, under penalty of expulsion from
the game or grounds