Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-28
CHANCES IN The
RULES GIVEN OUT
New Laws Governing Game of
Baseball Deal Largely
With the Umpire.
ONE BEHIND PLATE RULES
Double System ACCOMPLISHMENTS
of Alterations Made to Wipe
Out Ambiguity.

The official report of the rule re-
visions made last month by the joint
committees of the National and Amer
lean leagues in Pittsburg, released yes
terday, settles several mooted points
due to conflicting reports of the doings
of the rulemakers.
The important changes in the code
deal largely with the work of the UNI
pires, and the one likely to produce
the best effect is that making the UNI
pire behind the plate commander of
the playing field. Up to this year the
rules have not recognized the double
umpire system and have not defined
the functions or duties of either arbi-
traitor. The result has been confusion
at times. unless the umpires worked
together long enough to perfect sys-
tenn of their own.
The new rules also wipe out the old
custom of making each umpire suffi-
cient unto himself and preventing con-
sultation between the two judges of
play in case of doubt. 1t is not now
imperative for the umpires to ask each
others opinion. but it is permissible.
'Hidden Ball" Trick Saved.
The hidden ball trick is not abolish
ed, and may continue to be worked on
the wise base runners who forget
themselves for a few instants. 1t will
not hurt the showing of the dopey
base runners.
The exact moment when a substi-
tute player takes the place of h
predecessor is made plain, and the UNI
pires must announce all changes under
penalty of a fine.
AS previously announced the umpire
is given the power of chasing substi-
tute players off the bench after fining
them $40 each if they show their dis
approval of his decisions and persist
in yelling from the bench after warn
ing. The umpire also is sole Judge of
when to stop play on account of rain
Previously the rules said it must con-
tinue until the spectators on open seats
sought shelter.
On ground rules the umpire has the
right to fix the number of bases to be
made on a hit into the crowd in case
the captains of the two teams disa-
gree.
Numerous changes have been made
to clarity the rules For instance, it
was not plain when batsman could
change from one side of the plate to
another The new rule permits the
batsman to change from one box TO
another except while the pitcher Is in
his position ready to pitch"
The old difficulty of the baserunner
first base and wheeling
around to the left to come back has
been solved. BY the new rule the
runner forfeits his right to return TO
first without being put out eff he at
tempt TO run to second base" The
runner has the privilege of turning
either to right or left if he makes no
to advance.
Few Changes in Scoring.
In the scoring rules there were few
changes made The wild pitch and
passed ball will not be included in the
error column. Even the case where a
batsman reached first base after max
ing a third strike at a wild pitch or
PASSED ball is no longer an error.
rule defining ;yild pitches and
passed balls is added to the code. |
there has been no recogni- |
ton of either except by inference. An |
attempt to secure greater uniformity !
in scoring stolen bases was shown n
the following new rule:
I'm the event of a double or triple |
steal being attempted, where either |
runner is thrown out the other or /
others shall not be credited with a /
stolen base