The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-01
SPORTING COMMENT
By r. D.

The amendments to the playing
rules of baseball as drawn by the
Joint Playing Rules Committee 2ro-
vide q number of changes that will
improve the game. The committee,
composed of Z. j. Lynch. Clark Grit
fifth, John Heydler, 4. H. Somers.
Charles Comisky and Is. 7. Shibe mad
clear ideas of the additions n
changes tina We're necessary ana tneir
work will receive the endorsement OF
all followers of the game. The trial
Of some of the changes may deter
mine that they + not for the best
but at the present time every one
seems to be for the bettermerft of the
game.
Particular stress is laid upon the
duties and powers OF umpiles and
these changes arc doubtless due to
President Lynch, whose chief aim
seems to be the perfection OF h UNI
piring branch OF h game. A new
clause vests supreme authority in
each umpire fo~ his given territory
and neither umpire can Interfere with
the decisions OF the other unless ne
is asked tor his opAnion.
The duty Imposed upon the umpire
OF announcing substitutes liz one OF
the best changes adopted and Will
eliminate much confusion n dis
putting that has heretofore marked
the entrance of a substitute in q
game.
Recognizing the impracticability of
requiring the runner to turn to n
right after crossing first base unless
he attempts to make second, the um-
pires have generally allowed runne
to turn either way ii they did not
attempt to advance. The new rules
will now sustain the umpires in this
as a change provides hat the player
may turn either way.
Batteries will not be charged with
errors for wild pitches or passed
balls and 40 important changes have
been made In the scoring rules except
that a player may De credited with
both an assist and a put-out on the
same play.
The first objection to the schedule
recently submitted to the clubs of
the Virginia League by Norfolk has
been made in Roanoke. None of the
magnates are quoted as making a
statement against the schedule, but
IL Is said that the management Is ron
WINGED that this arrangement Of games
would be hurtfuI to the league and
hat its adoption will be stoutly op-
tfSC ~ AtNtko . v
for this opposition are that the pro-
posed schedule takes from Roanoke
the regular Fourth of July game with
Lynchburg, and It provides that Roe-
noke shall play away from home In
both the opening and closing series.
Roanoke has Just cause of COM
plant In the latter instance as 1t may
prove a serious handicap in the event
xf a close finish for the pennant.
Norfolk has her eye on the flag this
year and Roanoke is regarded as a
worthy opponent.
President Williams, of the Roanoke
club. has expressed himself as being
willing to adopt any schedule and
regulations that may be determined
as best Mt the coming meeting OF the
magnatcs. He nay be expected 10
offer objections 10 certain parts of the
Norfolk schedule, but he seems We'll
pleased with that submitted by Rich
mony with the others and accept the
of the majority.
President Briggs, Of the Ports
mouth Truckers, Is said to be
making a close study of the Norfolk
schedule and II Is said further TINT
he IN not welded to the arrangement.
President Briggs has not publicly ex-I
pressed himself with reference to
either of the schedules that have been
offered.
The University cf Virginia will be
seriously handicapped In winning