Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-04-06
"A FINE OUTLOOK FOR
THE NATIONAL GAME.
The New Rules Call for Good Conduct the Part the Players and
Fair Play from the Umpire.

When the opposing teams trot out from
their dressing rooms into view of the
lovers OF baseball who are assembled to
witness the first game Of the season In
the League series, the Iooters can settle
themselves into their places with the
certain knowledge that, Ia so far rs the
rules are concerned. they are likely TO
have q better opportunity Ia see good
ball playing than w any season In the
past few years.
IL was expected. previous 10 the meet.
ing Of the "magnates" In New York
City. that there would he. great deal
Of confusion over the adoption uf the now
rules. So much was written concerning
the possible dropping Of four clubs from
the League; the trouble over the ~.
Louis aud Cleveland clubs, aud the deal
between the Orioles aud the Trolley
Dodgers that the 'cranks" began To fcar
for amy sort of 0 season for me only
game that makes life worth the living 10
Hut the meeting passed over without
any OF these difficulties proving insnr-
mountahlc And between the new rules
and the Improvement of business gen
crally which will have good cncc, on
the attendance NJ the gaincs-thc pros
poets for the season Of lS'n seem partic-
ularly favorable,
The acason this year will orrn on
April IL and close ON October II. the
schedule calling for ISL games. Broadly
speaking. the most important change IN
the new rules are the adoption of the
new balls rule aud the adoption Of the 50
iinc Tor unruly players.
II was recommended. before the rules
were changed. not 10 allow home runs
over fences less than - feet from the
home plntc. this rule hcins hardest ON
the Bostons. but the resolution was not
nisscf aud the Bosious will again have
the advantage Of their short loft field
fence. which is only ~ feet from the
plate.
The ono change that will probably have
the most effect on the game this season
so far ~ the lovers Of baseball are con
ccrncd-is this;
mo motion can be- made by the pitcher
TO deliver the ball 70 the bat or to base
without delivering IT,"
In two ways this rule will Improve the
game. II will Improve has running. be-.
cause tho base runner will know what 90
expect. aud because the pitcher Will not
spend NJ much time IN making hlun
throws to first. thus not making the base
runner hub the base ~ closely. and. for
the reason that tue pitcher win not waste
time IN blun throw II win quicken the
game.
Frank Sclcc. the Rosfon manager. est.
mates that the new hnlk rule win ~.
rrensc hn-r running uuc4third. Tint viii
be- 80 much gain for the game. because
base running u pruciiccd too little now
10 suit spectators.
According TO Sclcc the new halk rule Is
likely tn impair the effectiveness 81 those
pitcher who have long. swinging motions.
hut will not disturb nny pitchers cncc.
iiv'urHs that he cannot acrustam him.
self 10 the new conditions The slow
pitcher for while win be- worried by
base runners. because. NJ pointed out.
| hnso runners win have murc lrcwny. The
alAtN aalf4NsN III nWN.t So. hi
iion. Of coursc NIL ~ the pitchers will
I hc handicapped Ia the extent that they
I cannot hold base runners ~ they did.
but their handicap will be- the games
gain.
II don, sec why there should be amy
trouble over the new rules" Solcc says.
/ There Il only one Interpretation that
can h. put on them that ! can soc.. iie.
I sides helping harc running and milking
[ the game quicker. the rule cutting out
hun throws should help batting Bit.
You have seen bnttctu ret nervous wait.
Ing for q pitcher. 10 pitch. and consc.
purntly have their chances Of hitting
safely decreased. With the pitcher
working faster this will not happen 81
much"
! Baseball Judges think that the new
rule regarding foul tips viii result IN q
small Increase Of base hits. A. things
I arr now. foul tips are strikes unless The
catcher goes outside of his lines Not
few chances for base hits have been
I killed by y foul tip skipping back direct.
I ly Into the hands Of the catcher. one II
] these was sufficient IL put the hntsman
I out. whereas three are required now. aud
l the chances for hitting safely Increase
proportlonntcly Even " The bntsmnn
I had not hit safe he might have hit the
/ ball out aud reached his base through
an error. Therefore the chances for
more run getting nrc Improved hy th.
pcned. ortso seemed. that the hes, hat.
tiers went out on foul tlps. aud nothing