The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-15

With the opening of the twenty-eighth consecutive season of the National League today the baseball season of l9os is on in earnest
 will open the season today, the other four opening tomorrow. The Chicago National team will open in St. Louis, playing five games there. Wednesday. Thursday, Fri day, Saturday and Sunday.
 Al Buckenberger Boston Nationals who gave Manager Ehistla-'s Black Sox the benefit of two bruising practice games in Montgomery. will play Philadelphia today, Thursday. Friday and Saturday.
 Fred Clarks Pit.shurg bunch will play in Cincinnati Thursday. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
 McGraw's New Yorks will play in Brooklyn Thursday. Friday. Saturday
 The official roster of the National League teams as they start the season to- day IS as follows:
 Boston-A. C. Buckenherger, Manager Catchers-Moran and Kittridge. Pitchers Willis, Pittinger, Malarky, Lonk, Platt. Infielders-Tenney, Abbaticchio. Bonner Audrey and Greminger. Outf1elders-Coo- ley, Carney, Lush and Dexter.
 BrookIyn-Edward Hanlon, Manager Catchers-McGui1e. Jackftzsch. Ritter, MeManus and Ahern. Pitchers-Thielma Blewett, Garvin, Vickers, Lvans. schmidt and O. Jones. Infielders-Doyle, Flood Dahlen. Strang, Jordon and Broaerics. ss.
 
 c Cincinnati~Joseph. Kelly Manager Catchers-Bergen ana Peitz. TtEners T;ii Hahn, Poole. vickers. Ewing, Philips Hooker. Infielders-Beckley, Magoon Morrissey, Corcoran. Steinfeidt outfiefd' ers-keiIey, Seymour, Donlin.
 Chicago-Frank Seiee, Manager; eaten CTS King. Raub Pitchers; s,r nayi3. Gorr;don rHn Hardy, Menefee; infielders, Chance, Lowe Tinker. Evers, Casey: Outfielders, Dobos Slagle, Harley, D. Jones.
 New YorK-John J. McGraw, Manager catchers. Warner Bowerman. Bresnehan nitchers. Matthewson, Miller. McGinnity Cronin. L. Taylor; infielders. McGann Gilbert, w. Gleason. Dunn, Lauder, Baof and McGraw; outielders, Browne, var Haltren, Mertes. ger: catchers. Douglas Dooin. Roth pitchers, Fraser. Duggleby, sparks Mitchell, Mclaughlin, Wolfe, Burchell Bowman; infielders, Clancy. Brashear Hulswitt. Hailman. Wolyerton; oi,,r o"theio
 Pittsburg-Fred Clarke. manager catchers, H. Smith and Phelps; pitchers Philippi. Leever. Doheny, Vail, Wilhelm Falkenberg. Kane. Merritt; intielders Iesch; Sesesnei1 outfieiders, Clarke, Beaumont
 st. Louis-P. J. Donovan. manager J. J. o'Neil, Ryan. Weaver; pitchers M. J. o'Neil. Murphy, Yerkes, Currie Wicker, Rhodes, Cromwell; infelders. A Nichols, Farrell O. Williams. Burke Grain; outfielders, Barclay, Shoot. Dono van.
 sists of Robert Emslie. August Moran, Henry O'Day and William Johnstone with fifth man yet to be selected. These umpires met President Pulliam at Olo Point Comfort. Va. April g. to receive their assignments and instructions on de- pertinent of themselves and players. The playing rules were also gone over thor oughly with a view to securing uniform ity of interpretation. For the opening games Emsie was assigned to St. Louis Johnstone to Chicago. O'Day to New York, and Moran 10 Philadelphia. Throughout the season no umpire will ren ain longer than a week in any city.
 At this conference with his umpires President Puliiam instructed them tc take radical measures to enforce the rules against kicking and rowdyism by players and promised the officials his steadfast Support. The following import ant construction was placed on Rule % relative to the pitchers position:
 "It is construed as meaning that the pitcher, in taking his position, shall place no part of either foot back of the rub ber nor shall he take more than one step in delivering the ball to the bats- man."
 The enforcement of this rule will do away with all preliminary steps either to the rear of or side of the pitchers rub Der.
 A stricter interpretation of rules pro- hibiting the batsman from baking the catcher, and that of infielders interfering with base runners when caught between the bases was agreed on. No batsman hereafter will be allowed to take first when hit by a slowly delivered ball, the umpire to be judge of such speed.
 Emphasis is laid on the rule requiring runners to keep within the three-foot lines in going to first and, in general, notice is given of the literal enforcement of playing rules.
 In circular to managers, captains and players of the National League and Baseball Clubs. President Pulliam lays down the following constructions on such playing rules as are deemed susceptible of more than on interpretations:
 Rule 9 (Pitchers Position)-The pitch CT in taking his position shall place nc part or either foot back of the rubber nor shall he take more than one step in delivering the ball to the batsman. . This construction does away with all pl eliminary steps. either to the rear of or to the side of the rubber.
 Rule 8, Section (Balking)-Constructed as meaning that both feet of the catcher must be inside the catcher's line.
 Rule 40 (Batting)-A foul tip must gc sharp from bat. If the ball rises from bat to the catcher. as in the case of the attempted bunting of a low or slow ball. 1t will be ruled as a foul fly.
 Rule 46 Section 5, (Batsman Is OuD- The batsmar will be declared out at once if he makes any motion or attempt at