Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-02-23
Change in Base Ball Rules.

Change in Base Ball Rules.
The committee on the revision of the
code of playing rules of the national
baseball league has prepared It's repor,
and forwarded the same to President
Young. The committee recommends
the following changes in the present
rules:
Rule 1.-THE catcher must stand
within the lines of his position as de.
fined in rule 3 whenever the pitcher de
livers the ball to the bat.
This change is recommended to pre-
vent the catcher from playing outside
the lines of his position in order to field
hunted balls, which action permits the
pitched ball to go to the backstop from
whence it has to be followed, greatly
delaying the game.
Rule 19-Every club shall adopt uni.
forms for its players and the suits OF
each team shall conform in color and
style.
Rule 20-The players benches must
be placed upon a portion of the ground
twenty five feet, no more, no less, out
side of the players lines. The benches
must be covered by aroof and closed
at the back and at each end. Space
however, not more than six inches wide
may be- left just under the roof for ven.
tilation. Club presidents are not, as
formerly, permitted to occupy seat on
the bench. Section of this rule is
changed so that a player disobeying the
rule in taking his seat on the bench
may be fined $40, and if the umpire's
order is not then obeyed the offending
player shall be taken from the game
and obliged to leave the field.
According to the terms of rule "a, if
q game is called on account of darkness
or rain, if the side second at bat shall
before the completion of its unfinished
inning 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.
ers shall be required to wear uniforms
to the snits worn by their
team mates.
Rule ga balk shall be: Section 2.
The throwing of the ball by the pitcher
to any base to catch the base runner
without first stepping directly toward
said base Immediately before throwing
the bali: section 3, and delivery of the
ball to 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 20.
Sec. 4. Any motion IN delivering the
bail to the bat by the pitcher while not
in the position defined in rule 30.
Sec. 5. The holding Of the ball by
the pitcher so long as. in the opinion of
the umpire, to delay the game unneces-
sarlly.
Sec. 6. Standing in position and
making any motion to pitch without
having the ball in his possession.
Sec. 8. If the pitcher delivers the
ball to the bat when the catcher is
standing outside the pitchers position
as defined in rule 3.
If the pitcher fails to comply with
the requirements of any section of this
rule the umpire must call "balk."
Sections and are similar to the
rules in force last season.
These recommendation contemplate
radical changes and are in the interest
of base running.
Rule AZ provides that fair batted
ball that goes over the fence at less
distance than 1856 feet from the home
plate shall entitle the runner to two
bases only.
Section 5 of rule 43 makes caught
foul tip strike.
To rule 81, which defines when the
batsman is out, new section is added
as follows: If, when leaving the home
plate, a batsman Injuries the umpire OF
catcher by the act of throwing his bat
In which no bases shall be run or runs
scored This is to prevent the vicious
practice Of intentionally injuring the
umpire or catcher by striking then
NTH q throrn hell
Rule 46-The batsman becomes
base runner:
Sec. 5 Instantly after "a balk'' il
called by the umpire.
Sec 6. If, while he be a batsman
the catcher interferes with him, pre-
venting him from striking the ball.
Rule So makes 1t an offense for
coacher to incite or try to incite tn,
spectators to demonstrations, and h,
shall not use language which will il
any manner refer to player Of the op
posite club, the umpire or spectators
The umpire shall at once fine a playe
$40 for illegal coaching and remov,
him from the game for the SECOND
offense. = AZ
Rule 6l-Desling withthe powers O.
the umpire, but provides that in al
cases of violations of the rules by eithe
player or manager the penalty for tn,
first offense shall b. fine of $40, TO
the second offense removal from tn,
game or grounds, to be followed by sus
pension for such term as the presiden
0f the lAapna NAV elect MA uor 70 II