Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-04-19
National League Standing.
Base Ball Notes.

Pitcher Hodson has caught on with
Hartford.
Billy Merritt the old league catcher, IL
going to play first base for the Lowell
club.
1t is said that Mike Mahoney the old
National League umpire. will be appoint
ed to the New England League staff.
George T.. Gray of Rockland Me,
known in the baseball world as ''Chum-
my" Gray. has signed with Hartford OF
the Eastern League.
Manager Donovan Of the St. Louis base
ball clab announces that he has signed
Bernard j. Wefers. the celebrated college
sprintcr, for his club Wefers Will be
substitute ut-helder.
Charles r.. better known as Dusty
Miller. formerly right fielder of the Gin
cinnati baseball team. has signed To play
with the TOlcdo team of the Western As
sociatiun. The Chicago team of IN"
American League and the Bufaio team
of the Western Association also were aI-
ter Miller.
PRECEDENT Nick Young says: The Chi
cago and Boston National League clubs
could easily drop Sluee1 on the seaSoa
and not feel ii. In fact. might say. any
club in the National League is in a posi-
ton to lose that much and survive. |
doubt If the American is in n position to
sink one quarter Of that amoun; per cluo
in addition to its heavy starting "N-
penses ana hold its head above water
The final business of organization of th'
Now England League will br passed upo1
at a meeting OF the New England League
directors to be held IN Boston. Saturday.
The most important business item To h"
considered will be the schedule for the
season which is row being prepared by
Manager BUrnham. Mr.. Burnham is adj
justing his dates to meet the approval of
all the New England League cities, ana
il is not thought that trouble VIII arise
on that score.
Ban Johnson. Pre- sidtnt Of the American
League. says: Tho American League is
prepared to SGT jI.t such pace rs it set
last year. 1t is in for clean, fast base
bali. for we know that is the only kind
the public wants to see. During the en-
tire season there viii probably be more
or less i'll feeling between the National
and the American Leagues. but next year
l am sIrc there Will be nothing NOR II
than friendly rivalry. The playcrs will
have become settled then. and il Will hc
evident that the people delight in two big
leagues.
lowing instructions to the umpires Of the
National League:
l-Your attention is called to tho
amendment to rule :. by which the catch
er'S lines are moved mp 10 4 distance of
~ feet from the plate, ana to rule IL.
which requires tho catcher TO stand with
2-The rule rcgarding an Illegal deliv-
cry has been abolished.
3-Rulc 30, fairly delivered ball. Tho
rule requires that the pitcher shall tax"
his proper position before delivering th''
ball. If he delivers the ball while not in
ball" regardless of where il goes. OK
cept in case the batsinan strikes at tho
4MRuie %. delaying the game ca This
rule is intended to prevent tiresome and
unnecessary delays in the game, and
should be strictly applied TO the game
(b) The second section should be read
first. and will apply primarily to the first
batsman in each inning. although equally
applicable to each succeeding batsnan.
(c) Soc. | should be enforced intelligent
ly. The umpire shall decide whether the
throw 20 the base by the pitcher be Il
ner. If it be an iliegitmate throw. the
umpire shall call n ball. If ii be q leglt
innate effort to retire base runner. the
% seconds provided in Sec. - shall begin
to run from that time
-Suppleinenting Sec. 3, rule .. If a
fielded ball strikes the person or clothing
of The umpire before it reaches the play
CT TO whom it is thrown, the base runner
shall hold the base he was then legally
occupying. Ii it strikes the umpire af:e,
having passed the fielder. the base runner
shall be entitled to the next base.
6-Your attention is called to Sec. A, rul'
So requiring that the umpire shall motif.
hours Of any hagrant offence committed
by a player. You will. in this case. tee
graph q brief report within the required
time and also mail ii written report. civ
ing fun particulars under oath. This iii
rection also applies TO any action occur
ring under the provisions of rule IS.
1T is imperative that each umpire
shall enforce strictly and absolutely eac!
and every rule and law. and maintait
discipline and gentlemanly behavior npol
the field There can be 10 excuse iOi
failure to do so with the authority ant
suppor: at your command. Failure Ii
this requirement will demonstrate the in
capacity Of the umpire to occupy his po
sition.
S-Permit unnecessary delays to oc
cur in the game.
9-Conduct yourselves, while on and Of
duty in a gentemanly manner
10-Always wear n neat blue uniform
while on duty.
1l-ke,p in constant communication
with the secretary Of the league ana re
port ANYTHING which may be of value, an
ask Tor further instructions upon an.
matter in which YOU may be in doubt.