The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-28
CHANGES IN RULES.
Important Action Taken by the M
tionaI League Magnates.

NEW YORK. Feb. 27.-The National
Baseball League magnates met again this
afternoon at the Fifth-avenue Hotel. At
the close of the session it announced
that the report of the committee on rules
and constitution had been under discussion
A rule was adopted which does away with
the intentional 'fouling off" of pitched
balls by a batsman. The first and second
foul balls hit by the batsman, unless two
strikes have already been called against
him, shall henceforth be counted as strikes
Rule No. 3, defining the position of the
catcher's lines, was altered so that the
catcher will have to stand within ten feet
instead CT ninety feet of the plate. This
places the catcher up behind the bat"
throughout the game.
A rule making the pitcher deliver the ball
10 the batsman as soon the latter takes
his position at the plate was adopted.
Should the pitcher deliver the ball to any
other place than the plate ball will be
called for each delivery. A rule was passed
which penalized one ball against pitcher
If he fail to deliver the ball to the batsman
within twenty seconds after the latter mas
taken his position.
A rule was passed empowering the UNI
pire TO remove from the game and II need
using improper language to another player
captain, manager or spectator. Written
proof of the offense must be submitted to
the president of the League within twenty
four hours who may if the proof be salts
factory suspend the offender from play.
A batsman may not henceforth take his
base If hit by pitched ball but the ball
Will count as ball against the pitcher
Several rules conflicting with the changes
named were stricken out changed to con-
form to the alterations.
Att la Of he y,cti fruit ton, o,,I
ed to read that the board of directors shall
have the power of infiicting penalties in
cases of forfeited games. In case of a
forfeited game the board shall convene
within week and hear the evidence. They
shall decide what penalty to impose on the
club offending. In the past the forfeiting
then wait months perhaps for a decision
the merits of the case by the board
The penalty is not payable under the new
rule until after the board of directors has
given its decision.
President Young to-day announced that
the League had granted all the players
demands. The players have agreed to sign
the League contracts under pain of suspen-
sion. The suspension is only operative I'M
til the players organization can meet as
n body and act on the matter. AS a matter
of fact, the agreement signed by President
thinner amounts TO nothing more than an
expression OF good will toward the National
League as against Ban Johnsons organiza-
ton. Whether the players ratify Zimmers
agreement or not the concessions made by
the League will hold good. The most i'm
portant concession, perhaps, is the new op-
ton clause. Heretofore a club owner could
employ a young player at a small salary
and compel him whether he developed into
a star or not. to keep on playing year after
year at the same salary. 1t was optional
with the owner TO increase the salary to
1T the service. Now player may make a
demand for more money at the end of the
first year. He can be compelled TO play at
the same salary the following year but
then if his reasonable demands be not met
he is not free 10 sign where he wishes. The
new clause is a great thing for young
players In the selling trading and farm
ing-out' clauses the players got all they
asked. Now players consent Is neces-
farmed out.
President thinner, OF the players, left for
Washington tonight. He said he was i'm
mensely pleased with the concessions. I'VE
got all We asked and did not recede from
our original demands" he said. .I was
advised by my lawyer to sign the agree
ment made by the League. AT best il is
conditional upon the action of the Players
Association as a body. 1t is not legally
binding on any member of the association. -
Ii was learned late tonight that Presi-
dent Freedman. OF the New York club
had again broken with the magnates be-
cause of their refusal TO adopt sugges-
ton calculated to do away with rowdyisnt.
He left the meeting room highly indignant,
and Is said TO have declared that he would