Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-21
IN THE BAsE.aAr1. WORLD.
Several Good Changes Proposed by the
National League R6Hy Committee.

Several Good Changes Proposed by the
National League RdhS Committee.
A close perusal of fhe Ssport of the Ma
tional League rules commfHee. made public
yesterday, discovers Vat Che chief changes
recommended comprise .the filming of play
ers, the closer definition of the pitchers
balk, the placing of restrictions upon
coachers, combining the catcher to his posi-
ton while the pitcher delivers the ball,
making the uniforms Of the clubs alike. and
covering the benches pf The players so as
TO isolate the men Is much as possible
from the spectators.
These rules are all. good and will receive
the Endorsement of a majority of the spec
tators, while the better class of players
will doubtless fall in line with the mag
mates.
Another rule that deals somewhat indi-
rectly with the players is the one that re-
qures the fences that surround the
grounds shall be 2S5 feet from the home
plate instead of 245 feet before a home run
can be counted. Fences remaining as they
were last year will bar out the home-run
hit and entitle the batter to only two bases
This rule is said to be a direct stab at the
Boston club, although the Washington
Cincinnati, Cleveland, New York and Phil
adelphia clubs will doubtless suffer some
what through the rule. At National Park
the right field bleachers come within the
prescribed $50 feet and Buck" Freeman
may not have many home runs to his
credit heretofore.
The restrictions placed upon the pitcher
Will promote base running, and the Sena-
tors should benefit thereby. as they will
be through the handicap placed upon
coaching clubs of the caliber of the Balti-
mores Clevelands, and perhaps the Cincin-
natis. Messrs. Hanlon, Reach and Hart,
the rules committee, have done their work
vol nd n will r. i
by the other league magnates through the
adoption of their recommendations at the
meeting in New York February IS.
Eugene De Montreville leaves for Chicago
today, where he will join Donohue Griffir h
and Callahan, the quartet leaving this week,
ahead of the Colts, for Hudson Hot Springs,
New Mexico, the training grounds selected
by Manager Burns All expenses of the
players to and from the springs and while
there will be borne by the club and this
quartet are especially anxious to get into
condition AS early as possible. De Mont
in conversation with a Star reporter Ia st
Saturday, said that he was pleased with
his new berth, as he liked the PLAYERS on
the Chicago club, the city and especially
Manager Burns. The little Frencfman was
looking exceptionally WELL and intima ted
that he was willing to take all the chances
that would confront him in demonstrating
that he can play either the second base or
shortstop positions satisfactorily to the Chi
|
July ;, 1897, the Fourth falling on Sunday.
the Brooklyn club played a morning and
afternoon game with the New Yorks at
the Polo grounds. The weather was threat
enng and the attendance not up to ex-
pectations. "Unfavorable conditions for US,
Mr. Freedman" remarked Mr. Abell "Go
and get ball team, was the brutal reply.
before you complain about its patronage
in New York" Mr.. Abel restrained his
wrath and withdrew in silence. He has
acted on the advice Of Andy and Brooklyn
has a team that any city can be proud of.
And when the Hanlonites are making the
alleged Giants look like 80 cents on the
Polo grounds Mr.. Abel will find a satsfac-
ton that money calnot purchase, he
watches Freedman's GlrroXsed face and re-
calls that disagreeaHe INCIDENT of 1897
Sporting News.
Some one is trying to make pittsburg
people believe that BEAUMONT is better
man than Jimmy Sfagle Beaumont may
develop into a star observes the Kansas
two at least while J?mIny. Slage is a fin
ished artist now and if he is given a chance
the major league will not be one bit too
fast for the center fielder of the champion
Kansas City team, who now belongs te
Washington.
Despite his declarations that he proposed
to get rid of Gleason, Grady, Rusie and
Meekin, Mr. Freedman still has those play
ers on. his staff and Wilsprobably retain
them. Grady yesterday sfeaefved a contract
from the New York club, with the request
that he sign for the coming season, -