The Worcester spy., 1899-04-06
SAGE is TROUBLED
New Base Ball Rules
Are Too Deep
For Him.
TROUBLE ANTICIPATED.
But the Book Explains Ev-
erything for Umpires
of Sense.

A base ball writer of a morning pa
per-not The Spy-has worked himself
into a worry in anticipation of trouble
over the new balk rule. In attempt
Ing to explain the new rule he success
fully demonstrates that he is several
laps behind the pace and there is more
in the book that he has yet learned. He
says: Several things once considered
illegal deliveries are now rated as
balks. The new rules provide that the
lines. If he is outside those lines and
the pitcher delivers the ball. the new
rule provides that 1t shall be called
balk. But what is to follow as
penalty? A baIk advances a baseman,
but a batsman has never been allowed
to take his base on a balk. If it is the
intention of the new rules that a balk
shall give the batsman his base, etc.
Wake up! Get into the game.
There's a hole in your bat. Base ball
fans about town will get on" It's
too easy. The Connie Murphys know
more about the game than that. If
he (the catcher) is outside the lines
anu the pllCHeE QeilNeFS Inc Ddus lue
new rule provides that it shall be called
balk. But what is to be the penalty?"
Well, Well; that's good. And so late
in the year, too, with the season about
to open. Look in the mail today for a
marked copy Of the rules. Turn to
rule 46, when the batsman becomes a
base runner" Read the whole rule
through; 1t won't do any harm. Then
read section twice and paste 1t on the
tNaf fI,N FN,f
becomes a base runner Instantly after
balk is called by the umpire" That's
plain enough. A batsman takes his
base when a balk is called. "Vats de
reasons?"
1t was never an illegal delivery if the
pitcher delivered the ball to the bats
man while the catcher was outside the
lines of his position. Under the old
rules he could play anywhere he chose.
He is limited now. And the other
things which were called illegal deliv-
cry are now called balks and the
penalty is the same
If it is the intention of the new
rules, the batsman gets his base and
the base runner is advanced a bag"
says the base ball sage. It's really too
bad. Wherefore the 'if?" Take I'D
that marked copy of the rules again.
Turn over one leaf. Under rule As, sec
ton 3, is marked that the base runner
shall be entitled without being put out
to take the base, "if the umpire calls
q balk."
The foul tip rule appears to bother
the base ball writer also, and a sup
posed case is mentioned to show that
even as good an umpire as John H.
Gaffney says he does not know exactly
what he would do" The rules make
a foul tip caught by the catcher while
standing within the lines of his posi-
ton a strike. The supposed case is '1f
the catcher, standing back, jumps into
the air and catches with one hand a
IouI ball that is not a fly but
vas simply given an upward motion
Dy contact with the bat, shall that be
called a foul tip or shall it be regarded
as a foul fly and retire the batsman?"
W nat! "A foul ball. that is not a dy?'
Maybe Gaffney would call it a ground
er, The chances are that Gaffney will
learn when he attends the gathering of
umpires that foul ball that is not a
fly" is foul tip.
Maybe even as good an umpire as
John II. Gaffney" would be worried "if
the catcher standing back falls on the
ground and catches with his big mitt
and his other hand foul ball that is
not fly, but was simply given a slight
downward motion by contact with the
bat" Shall that be called q. foul tin
/
perusal Of the marked copy will
show what a foul tip is. Rule 80 says:
"A foul tip is a ball batted by the
batsman while standing within the
lines Of his position that goes foul
sharp from the bat to the catcher's s
hands" II the ball is simply given a
slight upward motion" and Gaffney
called a foul fly and batter OUT he
might be accused of looking through
the bottom of glasses.
And there never was a punishment
for a catcher tipping the bat of a bats
man. It's really too bad. There are
men in Worcester who have seen
| catchers fined or put out of the game
for that practice. If Gaffney can't see
a catcher tip the bat he'll run against
more trouble than over the foul tip
decision if he gives a batsman his
base. Watch for the marked copy.