The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-20

WASHINGTON, Feb 19.-The COM
mittec or the revision of the code of
playing rules of the National Base
Ball league has prepared its report
and forwarded the same to President
Young. The report, which is signed by
the three members of the COMMITTEES
Messrs. Hart, Reach and Hanlon, rec
ommends 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 3
whenever the pitcher delivers the ball to the
bat.
This change is recommended to prevent the
catcher from playing outside the lines of his
position in order to field hunted balls, which
action permits the pitched bali TO go to the
backstop, from whence it has to be followed,
greatly delaying the game.
Rule 19-EYery club shall adopt uniforms
Tor its players and the suits of each team
shall conform in color and style.
Rule 29-The players benches must be
placed upon 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 seat
on the bench.
Section of this rule is changed so that a
player disobeying the rule in regard to TAX
ing his seat on the bench may be fined So
and if the umpire's order is not thus obeyed
the offending player shall be detarred from
the game and obliged to leave the field.
According to the terms of rule "a if a
game Is called on account of darkness or rain,
II the side second at bat before the compile
ton OF Its unfinished inning shall have one
or more runs more than the side first at bat
the score shall be the total number of runs
made.
Rule 81 provides that substitute players
shall be required to 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-runner without
first stepping directly towards said base i'm
mediately before throwing the ball; section 3.
ANY delivery OF the ball to the bat by the
pitcher while his pivot foot is not in con-
tact with the pitchers plate, and he is not
facing the batsman, defined in rule 20:
section ii 4: Any motion in delivering the
ball to the bat by the pitcher, while not in
the position defined in rule 20: section s: The
holding of the ball by the pitcher so long as,
In the opinion Of the umpire, to delay the
game unnecessarily; section g. Standing in
position and king any motion to pitch with
out having the ball in his possession; section
8; II the pitcher delivers the ball to the
bat when the catcher is standing outside the
INES OF the catchers position, as defined In
rule 3.
If the pitcher fails to comply with the re-
quirements of any section of this rule the
umpire must call "a balk'' Sections 1 and
are similar to the rules in force last sea-
son.
These recommendations contemplate radical
running.
Fl, Rule ~ provides that a fair batted ball
that goes over the fence at 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 40, which defines when the batsman
is out new section is added, as follows:
IF. when leaving the home plate batsman
INJURIES the umpire or catcher by the act of
throwing his bat, in which case no bases
snal be run or runs scored
This is to prevent the vicious practice OF
Intentionally injuring an umpire or catcher
by striking them with a thrown bat
Rule 46-The batsman becomes a hase-run-
Aer-Sectlon .: Instantly after a "balk' is
called by the umpire. Section s.; If, while he
be batsman the catcher interferes with
him, preventing him from striking the ball.
Rule AZ makes it an offense for a coacher
to incite or try to incte the spectators to
demonstrations. and he shall not use Ian
guage which will in any manner refer to
or reflect upon player of the opposite club
shall at once fine player $40 for illegal
coaching, and 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
lions Of the rules by either player or mana
ger the penalty for the first offense shall be
fine Of $40; the second offense, removal
from the grounds or game, to be followed by
suspension for such term as the president
Of the league may elect. player failing &c
pay fine within five days shall be disbarred
until the fine is paid. The umpire shall make
full report by telegraph when a players
ohense Is of fragrant nature, such as OBJ
scene language or an assault upon the UNI
pire.
The changes were made the committee
says because it is believed that either the
lining of player or debarring him from
game or games by the umpire is not suff1-
Gent. The change makes the president OF
abe league, instead Of the umpire. the Judge
IN extreme cases.
Rule So provides that If there be open bet
sing and the attention of the umpire be called
10 the ohense 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 shall be substantiated the game shall
be awarded to the visiting team by a score Of
to O. The presid Mt may infllct such Other
punishment as he may deem proper.
Rule Il provides that no manager captair
e. player shall address or motion to the spec
tatoTs or umpire during the progress of tn,
game, except in case of necessary explana
ton, under penalty of expulsion from The
game grounds.
IL