The evening times., 1899-02-20
CHANGING THE
BASEBALL RULES
Committee on Revision Sub
mits Its Report.
Recommendations of MessrS. Ham
lon. Hart and Reach.
The Definition of What Shall Con-
stitute a BaIs-Fielding hunted
BaIls-0ther Changes.

President n E. Young has received the
report of the Committee on Revision OF
Code of Playing Rules of the National
League and American Association of
Baseball Clubs The report which is sign
ed by Messrs. Hanlon, Hart, and Reach,
recommends among other things the fol-
lowing changes in the playing rules:
Rule 1.-THE players positions shall be such
may he assigned them 10y their captain, eX-
ccpt that the pitcher while in the act OF deliV-
cring the ball TO the batter must take ms po-
>ition as defined in Rules S and %, and the
catcher must stand within the lines OF his posi-
non Is defined in Rule ). whenever the pitcher
delivers the bail to the bat.
This change is recommended TO prevent the
catcher from PLAYING outside the lines OF ms
position To field hunted balls, which action per
mit> the pitched balls TO go TO the backstop,
from whence il has 10 be followed, greatly de-
lIriug the game.
Rule 32-A balk shall lie:
section ]. ANY Tnotou made by the pitcher to
deliver the bali to the bat or 10 base without
delivering il.
Srctiop , The throwing of the ball by the
pitcher 10 any base catch the base-runneI
without first stepping directly toward said base
Immediately before throwing the ball.
section 3 Any delivery of the ball to the bat
by the pitcher while hi, tpivoD foot is in
contact with the pitchers plate, and he is not
facing the baysman. defined in Rule %.
section 4 ANY motion in delivering the ban
10 the hat bv the pitcher while not in the posi-
Ii1u defined in Rule -
section ;. The holding Of the ball 10y the pitch
e. 80 long as IN the opinion OF The umpire, 10
delay tine game unnecessarily.
section d. Standing IN position and making any
motion To pitch without having the ball in his
possession.
section : The making of any motion the
pitcher hahitually makes in his method OF delIV'
err, without his immediately delivering the ball
10 The bat.
section : Ii tho pitcher delivers the ball to the
bar when the catcher i standing outside the
Zines ot The catvheIs position As defined IN Rule
II pitcher fails 10 comply with the require
InnHts OF any section OF this rule the umpire
must call n baIk. These recommendations con
template radical changes. and are in the Interest
II ba~g running.
Rule "a iair- -batted ball that goes over th,
fence shall entltle the hatsman TO a home run
,>rclt that should il 90 the fence At les
dis durc than two hundred and eighty-five t2S5
feet from the home base when he shall be en-
Jillrd TWO bases only. and distinctive ln'
shali lac marked The fence at this point.
This change Is made remove in degree
he element OF luck from the game.
Rgle "a strike i:
SECTION ;. foul tip by the bltsman. cauglI
hy the catcher while standing within the line
Of his position.
This will make a caught foul tip a strike.
That 10 Rule -, which defines when the bats
man j. out. section II be REMEMBERED Section 4
and ncw section IL he added. as follows:
Section II. Ii. when leaving the home plate.
bsj~;GJn Injuries the umpire catcher by the aC
of throwing his bat; in which case no baSg
shall be scored
This i TO prevent the vicious practice Of il
tHnliouIlly iniming umpire or catcher b
striking them with a thrown bat.
Rulc 4G-The bat>nan becomes base
runner:
Section ;. Instantly after "a balk' is cane
by ihc umpire.
Ng,5, a. IL ,,-i;l. a.. I.. a I,,t-,,,,, tho ,,,
"r interfere with him, preventing him from striI
Ing the hall.
Rule 52-Tbe coa,ier shall be restricted I
coaching the ll~a-Iuuusr only. and shall not i
allowed To address any remarks except to I'll
hsSc-runner, and then only In words Of necc-sar
direction; and shall not. by words signs il
cite ur try TO iuoitr the spectators 10 demunstra
lions. and shall not language which will !
any manner refer Z" or reflect upon a PLAYER
1h" opposite club The umpire. the spectators
and not moro than one cBacher. who may be
player participating IN the game, any otlt
PLAYER under contract and in the uniform
esther cUlh. shall hc allowed at any one timt
except when haSr-Iunurr- are occupying tw
moro ha-cS. Then the captain and pI5yel
or two PLAYERS under contract 10 and in the un
form ui either club. i8aY occupy the space bt
jNrrn the PLAYERS liHe and the captains line
10 coach ha-e-Tunners. 10 enforce the above tn
captain OF ihc opposite side may call the atteu
tion OF The umpire iHe offence. and thcreupo
the umpire must order the Illegal cOacher q
cO3ehcIs 10 the bench. and il his order Is no
obevcl within one minute the umpire shall as
>r,s 81 fine OF So each against the offending
PLAYER or players. and upon 4 repetition of IN
rftncc the offending PLAYER PLAYERS shall b
d.bJrrcd from further participation in the game
and shall leave the playing field forthwith.
This permits the fiuiHg of a PLAYER for illcga
coaching before removing him from the game 10
the second offence
Iulc js-The umpire is The representative O
the League. and as such shall have power L
enforce every section OF the code Of playn.
rules of the game, and De shall have power L
order any PLAYER or captain manager 10 d
or H. omit any action ihat he may deem neces
sary 10 give force and effect 10 the laws ot TIA