The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-20
BASE BALL RULES.

nounccs Many Changes for the
Season Of1S00-Basc Running and
Bunting Encouraged.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 19.--rhe
committee on revision OF the code of
playing rules OF the National Base
liall League. has prepared and for
warded Its report to President Young.
Thc report, which Is signed by the three
members of the committee. Messrs.
Hart, Reach and Hanlon, recommends
in substance, the following changes In
the present rules:
Rule II. The catcher must stand with
IN the lines OF his position as defined
in l:ule whenever the pitcher delivers
the ball 10 the bat. This change Is
recommended to prevent the catcher
from playing outside the lines OF his po-
sltion In order to field hunted balls.
which action permits the pitched ball
10 20 TO the back-stop from whence 1t
has 10 be followed. greatly delaying the
game!
Rule 10. Every club shall adopt uni
lbIInS lDl ITO alIu thc VI
each team shall conform in color and
style.
Rule ~. The players bench must be
paccd upon portion Of the ground
twenty-five feet, no more, no less. out
side OF the players lines. The benches
must be covered by Il roof, md closed
at tho back. and at each end a space.
however. not more than six inches wide,
may be left Just under the roof for ven
tila,ion, Club presidents are not. as
formerly. permitted TO occupy Il seat
oil the bench. Section Of this rule
is changed SO that player disobeying
the rule In regard TO taking his seat on
tho bench may be fined so. and II the
umpire is not then obcyed the offending
player shall be debarred from the game,
and obliged to leave the field.
According to the terms OF Rule "a.
T. a game Is called on account of dark
ness or rain. II the side t'bat shall
be for completion OF its unfinished in
ming have one or more runs than the
side first at bat the score shall be the
total number of runs made.
Rule q provides that substitute play
crs shall be required to wear uniforms
conforming to the suits worn by their
team mates.
Rule 90. \ balk shall he: Section .:
The throwing of the ball by the pitcher
10 any base to catch the base runner
without first stepping directly towards
said base Immediately before throwing
the ball. Section 3: ANY delivery OF
The ball 10 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 Rule 80. Sec
ton !: Any motion In delivering the
"a ~, No. ,,, h,., 81, Il,
in the position defined In Rule % Sec
non .: The holding Of the ball by the
pitcher 50 long as in the opinion OF the
umpire 10 delay the game unnecessar-
lily. Section 6: Standing in position and
making any motion to pitch without
having the ball In his possession. Sec
Ton \: If the pitcher delivers the ball
TO the bat when the catcher. Is stand
ing outside the lines OF the catcher's
position as defined in Rule .. If the
pitcher fails % comply with the re-
quircmeNtS Of any section In this rule.
the umpire must call ''balk" Sec
tons | and are simbllar to the rules
III force last season.
These recommendations contemplate
radical changes. and are in the inter-
est Of base-running.
Rule - provides that fair batted
haii that goes over the fence at Il less
distance than two hundred and eighty
I've feet from the home base shall en-
title the runner 10 two bases only
Section . OF Rule 4; makes a caught
foul tip a strike.
10 Rule 40. which defines when the
hatsman Is out a new section Is added
as follows: III when leaving the home
pate batsman Injuries the
umpire or catcher by the act
OF throwing his bat: In which
case no bases shall be run or runs
scored This is to prevent the vicious
practice OF Intentionally injur.'is an
bat.
Rule &c. The hatsman becomes base
runner: Section ): Instantly after Il
DaIk Is called by the umpire. Section
o: II While he Is a batsman. the catcher
interteres With him, preventing him
from striking the bali.
lsuie u makes 1t an offensc for 4
c"acher 10 incitc or try to incite the
spectators 10 demonstrations. and he
Shall not use language which will In
any manner refer 10 or reflect upon Il
PLAYER or the opposite club. the umpire
OF 'h+ Spectators. The umpire shall ut
once line player SO for illegal coach
IT'S ana remove him from the game for
INC second oifersc.
huf" 81. dealing with the powers OF
N" umpire. provides that in all cases
vi violations Of the rules by either play
CT or manager the penalty. for. the first
"hchSc shall be Il fine of $40. for the
seLond onensc removal from the game