Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-24
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Foul Strike Rule Adop dby
Base Ball Magnates.
WILL QUICKEN GAME
GOOD BOWLING GAMES PLAYED
LAST NIGHT.
Sookmakers Hard Hit at New Orleans
-Pillsbury Leading in Big Chess
Tourney-Racquet Champion.
WILL QUICKEN GAME

The foul strike, adopted by the National
League two years ago. is to be ohe govern
ing rule Of base ball throughout the coun-
try This was the most important action
taken by the committee on rules Of the
American and National Leagues. which met
at the Auditorium Hotel Chicago, yester-
day afternoon. Its prompt adoption came
as a great surprise, for it was predicted
there would be a long -drawn-out conten-
ton, with the chances favoring the old
rule Friends of the foul strike rule have
to thank the minor Ieaguers for the tri-
umph. for it was the votes of Powers. Far
rell and Sexton that carried 1t through.
The result was not only surprise to the
outsiders, but also to the American mag
mates. 1t seems that they had not counted
on the minor league magnates taking the
active part they did.
When the meeting was called together
James A Hart was made chairman and
James III. Farrell of the National Associa-
ton of Minor Leagues secretary. lmmedi-
ately the question of rules was taken up and
an attempt made to arrange uniform sys-
tenn by starting from the first and chang
ing those that differed
The Nationals were represented by Hart,
Ifanlon and Fleischmann. Barney Dreyfuss
was also present much to the surprise OF
the other members who had thought him
unable to attend. The American League
was represented by LOTUS and Shibe.
Bruce OF ST. Louis was not able to attend
but was allowed proxy vote. The Ma
tional Association was represented by POW
ers Farrell and Sexton.
1t was not generally known that the
minors were to take an active part. 1t was
the understanding that they were simply
TO submit their views and the majors alone
do the voting. However. all were declared
q committee Of the whole and proceeded to
the business of making the rules coincide.
The first rule taken up was the one rela-
4fxrA obi ,o llrna Thnxy or nd
1t as 1t now stands In the National League
Guide, which Is used by the Nationals.
This rule limits the catcher to a distance Of
ten feet from the home plate. AS matter
of fact the Americans have played accord
ing to this rule for the last two years.
Rule was next found to conflict In re-
gard to the position of bases, but was OF
very little Importance. 1t was adopted as 1t
now stanus in the American League Guide.
Rules IT, so and 81 were somewhat differ
ent, but OF minor Importance, and were
fixed up alike Rule 81. in regard to delay
ing the game. was not In the American
Guide. so was inserted In like manner
rule 81 of section 4. in regard to baking,
was not In the National Guide, SO was In
serted.
Then came the noted foul strike rule
which the Nationals have used for the last
two years, and which the Americans never
took up. Inc conflict was found In section
3 OF rule A. This section reads as follows:
"A strike Is a foul hit ball not caught on
the ny. unless two strikes have already
been called
Some discussion followed. and when the
vote was taken It stood six in favor and
three against. the six representing the votes
OF the Nationals and minors. After some
consideration the vote was made unani-
nous. Both President Johnson and Charles
CouIiskey were much opposed to the foul
strike and were disappointed at its adop-
ton. Comiskey said:
For the last twenty years they have been
trying 10 hold back the pitcher and advance
the batter. The public wants lots of bat
ting, and the foul strike rule was a step
backward In that II curbed the batter AMI
helped the pitcher"
After the foul strike had been settled Tom
LOTUS, the chairman Of the American
League committee. came forward with q
proposition which was framed into a rule
and adopted. This was inserted as section
Of rule 1:
1.-THE pitchers box must not be more than
fifteen inches higher than the base lines
and home plate. The base lines at the home
plate shall be perfect level and the slope
from the pitchers box toward the base
lines and home plate shall be gradual"
An adjournment was taken till today
when the committee after finishing tie
rules. will take up the schedule.
A new rule that will be discussed Is:
ANY delivery Of the ball to the bat by the
pitcher while either foot IL back Of the
plate Is balk." The committeeman ex-
psct to finish quickly today.