The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-13
IN BEHALF OF CLEAN BALL.
PRESIDENT PULLIAM INSTRUCTS
PLAYERS AND UMPIRES.
Fine OF % for Intentionally Discolerfng
New Ball-Much-Necded Reform
Regarding spertsmaniike Coaching
A Hint to the Catchers--O Other Points

National League to have baseball sports
manlike and free from rowdyism. He has
sent out letter addressed to managers.
captains and players which contains the
following
AT the last meeting Of the National League.
the responsibility Of maint aiming order and
discipline upon the ball field was put upon
me. and by the authority OF a resolution.
unanimously adopted i was empowered to
draw up such regulation as I thought proper
in the premises. At the outset. wish to
state that It Is not my intention to rob tho
game OF any Of its enthusiasm or interest.
but instead OF that wish to increase the en-
thusiasm Of the players and the interest OF
the spectators at the expense OF the so-called
rowdyism.
-'Rowdyism on the ball fields OF the National
League will not prevail during the season OF
1903 Nine.tenths OF the ballplayers In our
league are gentlemen. earning their liveli-
hood in legitimate manner. and anything
that tends to better the sport. / know, will
have their hearty approval.
The players are directed to see that their
uniforms are In a neat condition before going
on the ball field. and they are requested to
take their positions promptly when play Is
called and TO make the changes between
innings as quickly as the conditions Of the
weather will allow
The umpire is the sole judge OF play. His
decision cannot be questioned. and any player
that does so will do It at his own peril
For misconduct OF any character the
umpire Is empowered TO order the manager,
captain or player from the playing field.
and In two instances he will have the power
to infict "A fine i1l In the event OF new
ball being Intentionally discolored, the umpire
is authorized to impose a fine Of s. on the
offender and call for new ball. With the
umpires permission. however, the pitcher
can have the privilege OF rubbing the gloss
OF a new ball. ,bi In the case where Il
player deliberately throws the ball out OF
the playing field. or by spiking or otherwise
injuring the ball in play renders II UNIT for
service. In this case the umpire shall fine
the offender s.. and in case OF the ball being
thrown over the fence the oflen der shall be
put out Of the game at once as an additional
penalty.
when manager. captain or player Is
ordered from the game he must instantly
leave the playing field. and he cannot appear
again on the ball field during the progress
Of the game from which he was expelled.
The umpires are directed. In all cases
where the offender In his estimation deserves
further discipline than the mere expulsion
from the game. to notify this office by tele-
BY letter. Wien such report Is made to this
particular case will be taken. In cases where
a statement is desired from the offender
land such statement will only be called for
statement IL he has any to make.
When a manager. captain or player Is
under SUSPENSION by the president; he VII
leges of the playing field during the progress
Of the game. and he will not be allowed TO sit
gems dress, or TO occupy any position on the
ball field. II he attends the game he must
attend a. a spectator.
Ma nd drN1a api-
ally warned against attacking the umpire
In any manner after the completion Of the
game or by any action. overt or secret, trying
Of this kind will pc severely dealt with. be-
1T Is the desire Of the president to accord
operate with them q anything that win tend
b ball. He and thus snhsnoe the value Of their
services. ] would like the cooperation Of
s Of sars az Alike R te the public press
and players. for We must have clean ball,
worthy the respect OF every one, II we hope
70 continue the game Of baseball as the ma
Under the head OF instruction to Umpires"
the young president calls the attention OF
AT all times You must maintain the dignity
Of your position and treat managers and
with 6ms d1 not IN the
Never go on the ball field without watch
Where two games are played for one ad-
mission. note the time Of the ending OF the
first game and start the second game exactly
that e sSs ed s properly pS laid Of with lines
and bases IN the proRer places Rule 80 a..
batteries and the name OF the umpire to the
when for any reason a change is made
n "a tea during nrORTasS
the player who is substituted for the player
WI" REPORT ali cases Cases Of expulsion from the
game to the presidents Office. IL the offender
in your estimation deserves further discp-
line, give details OF his misconduct by letter.
following telegram.
Special stress Is laid on the fact Of having
an or psy spor who attacks he nmpr
in any way after the completion Of game
or who by any action. overt or secret. tries
The protection OF this Office will be ex-
tended to the umpire from the time he enters
the ball field until Be s. the M S Given
to the umpires In the fullest measure as long
as they discharge their duties properly, and
expect every man TO give his best efforts
TO bring about a satisfactory state Of AFFAIRS
on the ball field let all your actions be GOV;
erned by the proper conservatism that should
Umpires also are Instructed regarding
the inter pretlOn OF Playing Iuts. some Oh
these already have been pu blished Among
the others In the following:
Rule S. Sec. 8 tBalkingl Construed as meaning
that both feet OF the catcher must be inside the
catchers lines.
The object OF this Ia to prevent catchers
from deliberately stepping outside OF their
lines to take intentional wide pitches. the
latter resorted to when a pitcher wants to
eend a dangerous batsman to first base.
Attention ia also called to the following;
Rule 20 !B.,,ipg,nA foul ZIP must T. 60 sharp
As in the case OF the attempted bunting Of q low
or slow ball II will be ruled as foul NY.
Rule 20, Sec. tBatsman Is outline batsman
viii be declared out al once u he make any motion
or attempt al interference with the throwing OF
or the catching OF the ball by the catcher.
Rule So CCoachingl-This rule Is construed III
eralIy and will be enforced literally, with the
excepi,on Of the Imposition OF the IS hnc. In which
case the printed rules are In error.
strict enforcement Of the coaching rule
will mean the doing away with the antics OF
certain coschers, one OF which Ia melting
spectators to yell az the opposing pitcher
with a view to rafting him. Ia much
needed measure for the sake OF sportsman-
ship II for nothing else. More dignity and
iess monkey shines are needed on the coach
ing lines.