Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-30
DAHLEN's NEW SCHEME.
Another Puzzle for the Baseball Rules
 Committee.

Bill Dahlen. manager of the Su- perbas, has been responsible for at least one change in the playing rules, and is now seeking another A few years ago, while playing with the New York Giants. Bad Bill took advantage of technicality in the code whereby he secured two putouts instead of one when the occasion transpired, until the league rulers stepped in, although un- der certain conditions, even now, the play works.
 Dahlen first tried the trick on the club of which he is now manager and 1t worked so successfully that it be- came a fad with the Giants. That is until it was tried on the Pirates and the famous Hans Wagner. But that is advancing too swiftly The play in question was sprung when second and third bases were occupied. On an in- field hit or a throw or any old plag. the man on third was coaxed to try for the plate. and, when turned back. the ball was whipped to third base, where the man coming up from sec ond was tagged out. Then a quick relay back again nailed the runner near the plate. Sometimes the relay was unnecessary. as both runners were tagged out by the same fielder, so close were they together at third.
 The Giants, on this play, took ad vantage of the rule which says that runner unless forced, is entitled to the base he is occupying until he crosses the next succeeding bag. Un- der this technicality a runner from second could be tagged out at third if he reached that base before the man caught in a trap between third and home either crosses the plate or gets back,
 At least the Giants got away with that cf frlrr rfinf1 until fhnu raan11aI Pittsburg and nailed Wagner in tha. manner. The latter kicked and the umpire agreed with him. saying that he had been instructed to decide in favor of the runner if he was touching third, even though another runner was between third and home at the time. Other umpires disclaimed any suca instructions that year. but the new idea prevailed, and the Giants had to be satisfied to tag the runner from second only when he was off the bag and then devote themselves to the oth CT man.
 Dahlen said that the change was proper. He declares that a new con- struction should be placed on the fol- lowing play: One man out, running on first and third, batter hits a fly to the outfield and the man on first digs around to second The ball is caught by the outfielder. who throws to first, doubling up the runner who had gone to second, making three out. Before this is accomplished. however, the man from third scores. This run is allowed to count under the rules, but Dahlen insists that it should not. He declares that almost invariably, such a play is caused by bone-headed base running, and even might be brought about unintentionally by a player in order to get across what might prove the winning run.
 Bill says that not only is a team beneted under this rule by the bone headedness of one of it's players, but the opposing club is penalized al- though it is playing the game. He insists that the double play is con tinuous one, just the same as though there were force-out, aand that the run should not count This is one for the rules committee to work out.