The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-01
SPORTING NEWS.
Provisions Made for the Pro
lection of New Balls.
Cannot Be Rubbed on Grass by
the Pitchers.
KEEP 1T OUT OF DIRT.
A Fine Promised for Those
Who Violate Rule.
American League Empires Pes
tered the Entire Season.

Detroit. Mich, Sept. 1.--Old baseball
rules are going to be revived next sea-
son by the American league, according
to Umpire Silk O'Loughlin, who
promises that one of them in particular
is to be enforced. The law the umpire
has in mind is one that has been on the
books for years and which has always
been a dead letter. 1t is the one pro-
hibiting the pitcher or any other player
from Intentionally discoloring a new ball
by rubbing it in the soil or otherwise"
under penalty of the substitution of an
other new ball and a fine of IS for the
offending player.
OLoughIin is authority for the state
ment that President Johnsons attention
has been called to this violation of the
rules and radical changes will be made
next season.
THE umpire alone will handle the bali
next year." says silk President
Johnson has sent out instructions that
the home club shall provide hall dozen
new balls in unbroken packages to the
umpire when the game begins. These
will be kept in a small catchel beside
the mask and chest protector of the
catcher not working and every time
new ball is needed the umpire will take
one out of his hand bag. break the seal
and give the pitcher a new, white ball.
When the supply of six runs out reouis-
ition for six more will be made on the
home manager or captain. In this way
no advantage can be taken by the home
team.
Besides that the day when the pitcher
can rub the new ball in the dirt and the
otner players spit omit and make it
black by the time it is ready for use is
nearly over. Next season the fine of So
will be imposed and it won't take many
such to make the players cut out such
funny work.
American league umpires claim to
have been peStered all season by the
trick of many club managers in the or
gan1zaT1on of throwing out diScOiOred or
injured balls when the opposite team
was at bat. Many times they have had
to return balls to the home club and
demand others because of some flaw,
such as a ripped cover or because the
ball was soggy and in no condition for
use in the game. Still, the managers
are said to resort to this trick hoping
to win games by it.
Silk O'LoughIin had considerable
trouble with Capt Carr of the Detroit
team on this point in a recent game
against the White Sox and the fans took
up the cudgel for the players, one fan
going to the trouble to write a TRADE
against the arbitrator on this account.
While in the published reports of the
agreement the section relating to the
salaries was omitted. it is generally
conceded that the old limit of 81, 400, or
possibly $500, will again be put in
force. 1t is said that not all the clubs
will cut down from the present salaries
next year, although within their power,
if the national agreement is accepted
and becomes a law governing the game.
Capt. Lave Cross, it is reported, has said
that Connie Mack has promised the
same salary paid this season to every
player he now has who sticks to him
voluntarily for next year. What special
difference this viii make is not apparent,
for under the reserve rule they would
have to stay anyway. 80 a7Si.'t ~ ~
Comiskey has only one player whose
contract extends over next season. That
is Pat Flaherty but that instrument
permits his release, which Comiskey
could give him and then resign him for
a smaller salary.
1T is not probable says Callahan,
that the magnates will stoop to enforce
the salary-limit rule the first season of
the new agreement. In 1905 will come
the big cut
AS a rule the players are more or less
and many will look to the outlaw Pa
cific coast league if their present salar-
les are not forthcoming next season.
President Hart of the Chicago National
league team says that the quality of ball
played in the outlaw league, considering
the salaries paid is far below par. Eff
forts have been made to bring that
league into the agreement, but they have
been futile so far.