New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-04
THE FOUL STRIKE RULE
SOME CHANGES PLANNED.
Nouel Ideas to Improve Batting
4rerages-PaIliam Satisfied.

AUerages-Pallidm Satisfied.
When the rules committees OF the National
and American Baseball leagues meet on Fsbru-
sry il there is likely TO be discussion In the
ranks over the question Of amending the foul
strike rule. II seems 10 be quite generally con-
sidered among the members of both leagues that
there is some need OF amendment, but as 10 just
what form II should take there is a wide diner
ence OF opinion.
Those who desire the change contend that
something must be done to give the batter a
chance. They think that under the present sys-
TEN the pitcher has all the advantage. and de-
sire 10 make some rule which viii not only
change this. hut which. by increasing the num-
Der OF hits will make the game more interesting
from the spectators noint Of view
In carving out this idea Clark Griffith. man.
eyer OF the New-York American team. and
member OF the joint rules committee. has sug-
gested that the following amendment be added
10 the rules:
Any batted ball that drops on the fly out OF
bounds into over any stand or fence on foul
ground is a foul and not a strike.
Under the present system any foul ball. no
matter where it lands. Is considered strike.
The rule now in force passed TO prevent
batters from delaying the game and firing out
the opposing pitcher by standing up and inten-
tionally batting out foul after foul
Griffith says that the rule which he proposes
would sill prevent this and yet eliminate what
lie considers the unfairness Of calling strike
on long foul which the batter intended TO hit
fair. He said further:
Any good batter can stand at the plate and
bat out foul after foul long as he wishes
but he can put them only in certain places. 1t
IS practically impossible for him Intentionally
hit che ball into the stands or outside
the bounds OF the field. He almost invariably
A. snA A.Tf Al DC do
the third base line. or else delays the hit ana
sends IL between the grandstand and first base
BY the rule which propose, when batter does
this ii will still be considered a strike but when
he unintentionay fouls the ball and sends it into
the bleachers or outside the field he will lose
nothing by IT,
While this Is the plan which Griffith proposed
.hinself he is ready 10 indorse any other plan
which answers the same purpose. He is thor
oughly convinced that some change should be
made IN the foul strike rule. and Will advocate
anything that promises 10 better conditions.
II his rule should not be accepted he stands
ready 10 indorse the plan proposed by Jimmy
Callahan, formerly OF the Chicago American
League team. Callahan's plan is simply TO have
all foul tips that go behind the plate adjudged
fouls and not subject TO the strike penalty
those fouls which hit inside the base line and
81 front of the line which runs through the home
plate at right angles 70 the pitchers box 10 be
already made the suggestion to President Ban
johnson Of the American League. and 10 Presi-
dent Comiskey OF the Chicago Americans. Both
have agreed to il. and johnson will probably
urge fits adoption by the rules committee. The
arguments IN favor OF il much the same as
those made by Clark Griffith IN favor Of his
proposition. Watch men, says Callahan, like
Willie Keller OF Frank Chance. They send the
5an anywhere they please except behind the
plate. defy all Keelers and Chances and wag-
ners in the world TO tip ball back of the plate
when they say they VIII
Another plan which seems TO embody the adj
vantages of both of these rules and at the
time 90 a bit further is one suggested by F. NJ.
Knowles. secretary Of the New-York National
League Club. Mr.. Knowles suggests that two
lines be drawn, through third base, first
base and the pitchers box and the other paraI-
lei this through the home plate. Any ball
which is hit by the batter and strikes behind
the line through the home plate or on foul
ground in front Of the line through the pitchers
box IS 10 he judged a foul Any batted ball that
strikes between the two lines IS 10 be called a
strike The advocates OF this rule point out that
81 not only provides for a ball going behind the
plate or into the bleachers. but that IT also
makes provision for those balls that are batted
into the outfield outside the foul lines They
say that If a man hits a ball beyond third or
rrst base. Il was clearly his intention 10 make a
hit and that he should not be penaIized by the
foul strike rule.
one OF the arguments against both Callahan's
and Knowles propositions is that It would make
more work for the umpire. The opponents of
the rule argue that already there are enough
lines IN tho baseball field. and that 10 add any
tsnore would be confusing TO the umpire
President H. c Pulliam OF the National
League is opposed TO any change in the rule
whatever. When approached on the subject he
said.
think the fewer changes We make in the
rules the better. see reason why we should
change the present foul strike rule I have
5hesro no complaints from spectators about the
way the game is played at present. l think
tthat the crowds that attended the games last
season showed that they well satisfied
with the game as IL stands, and until we hear
some complaints DO not believe we should
make the change
Nevertheless, Mr.. Pulliam said that he was
lseady 20 be convinced. ana that IL the best in
terests OF the game seemed TO demand a change
fhe would put obstacles IN the way.
Another rule intended TO improve batting
averages will be proposed at the joint meeting
iof the rules committees. II is the question of
allowing the batter 10 take his base on three
INSTEAD Of four balls Griffith, who is on the
;TElles committee. IS in favor OF making such a
change.