Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-23
SPORT OF THE SEASON
(ContIndsd from Ninth Page)

twenty members had assembled, as usual
on HOLIDAYS. and George w Hancock, see
iug the possibility Of a new sport said in
I4utrfirs WAY Say. boys, lets play base
ball and the wrestling mat was hau ed
around sorUrrwiSe and broom obtained
one of tine boxing gloves was used for
ball ami. with the boys in position. they
CpTuUa ECnd their sport without rule or WIS
dom bat there was great fun, and when
tu. afternoon had closed Mr.. Hancock
gathered Inc members around him and IN
folded "A plan which had occurred to him
S- the players were sliding around the haI-
Il believe this affair can be worked into
regular game of base ball which can be
played indoors. and if YOU all come down
saturday night III make up some rules ana
lave a ball and bat which will suit the pur-
pose Of the sport and do no damage to the
surroundings.
II was thus that Mr. Hancock gained
the title Of Father of Indoor Base Ban,
for h.. went home and thought out some
rules thai would equa ize the difeFHnt
points of the game and directed Augustus
J. White how to make a bail which could
BE- seen "a, night and fill all the require
r-eutS OF the game
And - the sport was evolved.
In playing the indoor game, ordinary
base bail suits ara the proper dress, except
that the spiked shoes are done away with
and TUhhcr-soled ones used instead. At the
knee and nip the trousers should be thiCkly
padded as contact with the floor at these
points i common occurrence.
A different style of ay Is noticeable in
the successful indoor player from that
adopted outdoors. In sliding to bases there
must he perfect abandon, and, sliding well
around the bag. the arm can be thrust out
in passing and the base held, In batting
the ball can he hunted successfully, and
as the first contact with the floor decides
its fairness. this feature is one praCtiCed
10y many of the best players. still
!, must not be supposed that long
hits cannot be made. for many home
runs have been credited on drives
that astonishing force
The short stops usually play close to
the batter-a bout ten feet. one on either
side o. the pitcher, for in the indoor game
the right fielder comes into the diamond
and takes the position known right
short"
The difference between the in and out
door game vii. be found in the following
rules. covering the bah and bat. pitching
and base running.
The ball must he seventeen inches in cir
Cumtersnce made of a vie ding substance
eight and quarter ounces in weight. and
covered with a white skin; should il be
come ripped or torn during a game. a new
one must he substituted The bat must be
two and thrrs-Quarter feet 'Dng and not
larger than one and three-eighth inches in
diameter in the largest part. and may have
a rubber tip on the handle to prevent slip
ping. 1t must be made otherwise of wood.
except that Il metal rod not larger in di-
ameter than One-eighth of an inch may he
passed through the center the entire
length of the bat. The handle may he
wound with string or tape.
The pitcher shall take his position facing
the hatsman. both feet together on the
ground. wholly within the box He shall
not max more than one step in the act Of
delivering the ball. He shall hold the ball
before the delivery, fairy in front Of his
body and in sight of the umpire
td) only Straight-armed pitching in which
The arm and hand swing parallel with the
b"dy. viii be allowed. and the bal, is not
To he curved. the sO-called upshoot being
considered Illegal.
tal y base runner must not leave his
base when the pitcher holds the ball stand
Ing in mis- box.
thl \ base runner must not leave his base
on pltGhed ball not struck until after il
mas reached or passed the catcher on pen-
atty Of being called back
80 base runner must he on his base
Wheu the pitcher is ready TO deliver the ball
to the hatSman.
starting too soon does not exempt a base
runner from being put out on that partfc-
uIar play The umpire must not make a
DECISION In regard To a premature start nm
base ar i put out