The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-07
OLD BASEBALL RULES
SHOW BIG PROGRESS
Unique Little Volume Unearthed at Secondhand
Store-ContraSt With Playing Code
of the Present Day.

batter was allowed TO move up a base n
fielder stopped or caught the BAH with
hat or any part Of his dress.
Section Is OF Rule 81 provides that a
player must return and touch the base
he occupied whenever time has been
called before he can advance further
This probably explains why II is so many
amateurs return and touch the bases af-
ter foul ball has been hit. &C. nova
days. A rule which is long since faded
into the past Is Rule 50, reading as fol-
lows; IF the pitcher causes the BAN TO
strike the batsman. and the umpire be
satisfied that he does it Intentionally he
shall fine the pitcher, therefore. in a sum
not less than ten dollars. nor more than
fifty dollars" Were this rule now in
effect the twirlers could not use their
famous bean ball to drive back the bat
ter In a tight place.
Rgle So prohibits a player. other than
the manager or captain Of the team,
from addressing the umpire concerning
any point Of the play. and any violation
Of this rule would have cost the one
breaking it a neat fine
Section / Of Rule "a says: a STAFF OF
four league umpiTes shall be elected Al
the schedule meeting OF the league. in
the month OF March. and applications for
such positions viii be received by the
secretary until the first day in March.
\ written contract shall be made with
each Of the four umpires selected, stipu-
lating for his service from May to Oc-
tober l. a a salary OF 5000 for such
period. payable in equal monthly pay
ments at the expiration Of each month
Of service. He shall also be allowed and
paid his actual expenses while absent
from his home in the service OF the
league. One thousand dollars Is a pal
Try sum compared with the fat salaries
the arbiters pull down to-day and shows
better than anything else the strides
made by baseball as the popular sport
Removal of m Umpire.
Section OF the same rule states that
any league umpire shall be removed who
shall he objected &c. in writing. by four
teams after the commencement Of the
championship season. and. IL the event
Of the resignation. removal. or expulsion
Of any league umpire the secretary shall
have the power % apI,2int a suitable per-
son 10 al the vacancy thus created
Rule SO, section l, calls attention % The
comfort OF the patrons OF the games
directing the umpire 10 keep his eye
peeled for players who are lazy or who
loaf on the job in any manner. and state,
specifically that the bats must be KEEP
in the racks provided for them. Sec
ton Of this rule is a good one and
reads: ANY attempt by players Of tn
side at bat. by calling 20 a fielder othei
than the one designated by his captain
TO field the ball, or, by any equally dis
reputable means. seeking 20 disconcer
a fielder. shall make the offending party
open 10 a fine"
The scoring rules are. as a general
thing. about the same as those in vogue
to-day. one notable exception being che
rule which gives an error 20 the pitcher
when the hatsman is awarded first base
on called balls" The rules are seven
ty-two in number and cover tWenty-eight
pages.