The evening times., 1899-02-21

unjust to hold him up to public criticism
as one who is anxious and willing to cut
the throats of his neighbors and then COM
init financial suicide by cutting his own.
Humorous sugEestions.
The rules committee of the National
League having asked for few suggestions
from the "Pittsburg Leader" Charles b.
Powers, the sporting editor, submitted the
following:
No player shall at any time converse with 4
newspaper man. under penalty of death.
In filing objections with the umpire, no player
shall be permitted to anything more dan
gerous than beer malet.
Players who object to a reduction IN salary
shall he forever blacklisted.
Umpires officiating in games played on the
Polo Grounds. New York, shall confer with Mr.
Freedman before going upon the field.
Any umpire failing to stop at least six beer
glasses per game in Cincinnati VIII he SUBJECT
To dismissal without appeal
ANY PLAYER removed from a game for calling
the umpire a blankety -blanked blank shall be
subject a fine of S25, TO be paid by the owner
of the club of which he is 4 member Under no
circumstances shall the fine be taken from the
PLAYERS salary, and any club owner so offending
shall be adjudged guilty OF violating time
honoTed custom.
1t shall be the duty Of every player to pick
out a ''mark' in the crowd and carry on an
animated conversation throughout the game. This
Will enliven matters and make The game more IN
teresting
When PLAYER IS removed from game he
shall take his time before complying Any
player removed who leaves his position within
FIVE minutes shall be fined for showing lack OF
: interest in his work.
When an umpire is assaulted by player he
must not strike back until his arms are held
tightly 10y eight other players.
Any player who assaults an umpire and falls
to iniiict permanent injury shall stand suspended
until such time the board of discipline shail
take final action.
Third Basemen in Demand.
Star third basemen are in great demand
and the supply is entirely exhausted. The
New York club is sadly in need OF an artist
at that corner of the diamond; the Chicago
club is also in state of anxious solicitude,
for fear Wolyerton may not prove strong
enough; Pittsburg thinks it has jewel
in Williams but in fast company he may
prove a failure
The Washington club has three men on
/ the string in case of emergency. Should
Mercer not come up to Mr.. Irwin's liking
! in the trying-out process, Casey and
! o Brien will each have a trial and the best
man will be selected. There is no question
about Mercer's ability. The only apprehen
sion felt for his success is that his physique
| is not sufficiently robust to withstand the
shock of battle that a third baseman is
| continually encountering
With experience it is believed that
/ o Brien would make ideal third base
man. He has sand" in abundance, is
magnificent thrower and base runner, with
! lots of baseball sense
/ Casey can play the position, but his ser
! vices will be required as a backstop.
Ii is more than probable that Joyce will
play third base for the new Cleveland club
He is not good fielder. but is strong in
every other department of the game which
will compensate for his weak fielding
Lave Cross will probably play third for
the Cincinnati club. provided the deal now
pending for his services goes through. and
. il is thought that il will
Third base is one of the most import
ant places on the diamond. and weakness
there is a serious handicap to any team.