Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-13
RULE CHANGES SUGGESTED
BY ENTHUSIASTIC "FANS''
Umpire Billy Evans Receives Interesting
Letters on Balls Hit Over Fence and
Wild Throws to First and Third.

Perhaps nothing in base ball creates
more enthusiasm than a home run, espe-
cially if the ball is hit over the fence
writes Billy Evans in the Sporting
News. There seems to be much more OF
thrill in a clout for the circuit that passes
over the fence than home run mace
within the Enclosure. Such hit Is all
the more sensational if a couple OF men are
on the bases and few runs are needed
to tie or win the game. When the ball Is
travelling near the foul mark as 1t goes
over, or is curving out in such a way tlat
it's course is a matter OF doubt, the SEN
sation is prolonged. with hope and fear
balanced until the excited fans heart
seems ready to burst within his chest.
These facts are brought to mind by a
letter / received from a Washington ian
the other day. Since l happened to be one
of the umpires working in the game re-
ferred to. l recall very wildly the point
brought out by the fan. 1t ID feature
that has often been discussed pro and
con by the umpires. and the general opin-
ion has always been that 1t would be
much easier for the umpire If the rule
was slightly changed on the point In
question The letter is as follows:
II am an ardent supporter OF the Wash
ington club, so naturally any kind OF q
victory seems good to me, yet we won a
game last year from Philadelphia that
was a hard one for the Athletics to lose;
Had Washington been the victim I would
have left the park that afternoon In
peevish frame of mind. You and Mr..
Westervelt umpired the game. SO no
doubt you will readily RECALL the pay pay, /!
worked the plate, you the bases. The
rule covering the play Is Section OF Ruie
Is and is as follows:
"'When batted ball ..asses outside the
] %1@ NfSAA no
decide it fair or foul, according to where
it disappears from the umpire's view
"It was in the seventh or eighth inning
, of the game in question that Frank Baker
Of the Athletics hit ball hish over the
right fed wall at the Washington park.
The Athletics at the time were a couple
of runs behind and everything depended
on the hit of Bakers. -.aker. as Is well
known, hits the ball hard. It seemed as
if he hit the ball at least fifty feet over
the fence. When the ball cleared the
fence it was at least ten feet fair. Before
it passed out Of view. it took the curve,
and as you will. no doubt. recall. when
1t passed from view. 1t was questionable
whether the ball was fair or foul.
thought myself that it was fair hut
cou d see that both you umpires thought
otherwise, and Mr.. Westervelt SO ruled.
Baker was forced to bat over after max
ing this wonderful drive. which seemed
at least ten feet fair when 1t passed OUT
of playing territory. and he struck out.
Il should think that better rule would
! be to exempt the umpire to pass further
Judgment after the ball left playing ter
ritory. 1t seemed to me that Baker was
unjustly deprived of a legitimate home
run that day, simply because the umpire
was forced to watch the ball until 1t
passed out of his view. It would have
been an easy decision for the umpire II
his Jurisdiction ended when the ball pass
ed out of the park. : AS I recall 1t the
Athletics made big kick on the ruling,
for it was, indeed, a difficult thing to rule
whether the ball was fair or. foul, SO
close was the margin. when the Dali
passed out of view. What do you think
about 1t, Mr. Evans?'
Frankly. Mr.. Washingtonian. I must
admit that I lean toward Your way or
arguing I am for any change or reform
that tends to make the work of the UNI
pire easier. I can see the wisdom or
YOUR argument on the point. Usually 1t
is an easy matter to pass Judgment on
the ball as it goes over the fence. but 1t
is often quite difficult matter to 10 rule
after the ball has taken the curve. To
strengthen your case. the following play
could be cited: II q batter hits q hard
grounder down the first or third base line
and the ball passes inside or over the
bag, 1t makes no difference how many
feet foul the ball may go afterward, 1t II
q fair ball.
National League umpires tell me they
bump into lots Of trouble at the Polo