Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-05-11
UMPIRE A MONARCH.
Changes in Base Ball Rules Gives
Him Still Greater Authority.


watched the changes in the rules
will be surprised at some of the
stunts the umpires will put on this
season. The rules each year grow
more and moresrigid and the umpire
is given greater authority. and better
facilities to enforce his orders.
Among the changes which patrons
of the game will soon notice be-
cause they are rather peculiar are
the following:
A rule to prevent any other player
than the pitcher from soiling a new
ball. The pitcher can moisten the
cover, but if any other player does
this he is subject to fine of SIS.
That a batsman cannot change
position from one side of the plate
to the other while the pitcher IS
getting ready to pitch on penalty OF
being called out. Heretofore many
of the clever batters have ratified
the pitchers and worked this shift
ing of positions to great advantage
in drawing base on balls.
That a batsman becomes a base
runner if the catcher interferes
with the pitched ball. This inter-
ference is figured upon while the
batter is in the act of swinging at
pitched hall.
That a base runner from third
base to the plate shall be called out
if a batsman interferes with the
catcher. This applies to squeeze
plays or when runner attempts to
steal home. The batsman must
step away from the plate in such a
play and allow the catcher full
sway.
That one base runner who passes
another while running bases shall
be called out. The one less advanced
must keep behind the other. This
rule is designed to prevent such
stunts as the world renowned slide
pulled off by the great and only
Mike Kelley when he was mem
Der of the Chicago team. This hap
pened in the last half of the ninth
inning, when the score was 1 to o
against Chicago. Kelly was on first
base and Ed Williamson was on sec
ond, and Arson knocked a fly ball
out into right field. At the instant
the fielder caught the ball both
Kelley and Williamson made dash
for second and third. The ball was
simply returned TO the. second base
man; but Kelley slid in and beat it
by hair.
When Kelley arose from the
ground and saw Bill Sunday at bat
he grabbed his arm, and pretending
to be writhing ii agony he signeled
to the umpire to call time. Then
he called Ed Williamson TO come
and pull his arm.
While Ed was doing SO Kelly
whispered to him as follows: Say,
Ed, when the pitcher throws the
ball in I'm going to start for third.
This will draw the ball down to
catch me, and then you make dash
for the plate and I'll be right be-
hind you. By the time you get
near the plate the catcher will be
waiting for you with the ball, but
get as near as you can to the plate,
then open your legs wide and I'll
try to slide in"
At the appointed time Kelly
dashed for third. The ball was
shot down to that base and Ed.
made for home, while the third
baseman sent the ball back to the
catcher. Kelly by this time had
rounded third and was right behind
Williamson. for whom the catcher
was waiting with outstretched
arms.
When within few feet of the
plate Williamson halted, suddenly
spread his legs wide apart land as
the catcher jumped forward to tag
Ed, Kelly slid between Williamson's
legs and had his fingers on the plate
before the catcher knew what had
happened. Chicago made another
run in the tenth inning and this
won the game.