New-York tribune., 1912-03-10
TIMELY BITS OF SPORT
New Baseball Puzzle Crops Up
Which Needs Solving.
LEIFELD TRADING HIMSELF
That Is, He Is Trying to Find
Some Club to Take Him
Away from Pirates.

Thomas J. Lynch, president of the Ma
tonal League, and Ban b. Johnson, presi-
dent of the American League, should be
called on to make number or interpreta-
tlons on the playing rules this year. now
that the Joint rules committee has failed
to hold a session. Several points that need
clearing up have been discussed before. but
THE Sporting News" calls attention to a
new one OF more than ordinary interest.
which cropped up in Cuba several weeks
ago. It has to do with the counting Of
run when. with two men out, the batsman,
becoming a base runner by reason OF four
balls, failed TO touch first base but went
on to second. In commenting on the sub.
ject "The Sporting News" says:
The contention is whether. when the ball
was played to first, he was forced out for
tn the third out There Is logic IN 1ne eaaTa 9pnlT
umpire, that the batsman was entitled 10
first by reason of four balls. whether he
touched the base or net, and that therefore
there was no force out at first possible,
which would, OF course, allow the run TO
count but there Is also the question OF IN
tent I'm the rules.
The rules say the batsman is entitled to
first base without liability to be put out,
in case he gets four balls: but is II not the
intention that he shall actually take first
base and II he does not legally occupy
the base, through failure 10 touch IT, does
he not lose his rights TO IL by forfeiture
and since he becomes a base runner imme.
diately upon getting four balls, Is ne not
subject to all the liabilities Of base run
ner, providing he does not claim his rights
The case recalls the frequently sub
mitted question wherein batsman was
given four balls. He misunderstood the
decision and thought he had been struck
out He went to the bench Instead OF Rolng
to first. Some time later he woke up anu anu
claimed his right 10 first HAD ne lorletteu
his right TO it? -.
The old rules provided that a man must
proceed to first base on the run. Ihat pro-
vision seems to have been cur OUT d9r aaai tmgi
Of confusion and argument. Tne ruIes
could we'll specify the limit or a PLAYER ;
rights with the idea that to claim them ne
In civil law II is held that a man who
sleeps on his rights" forfelts them Inc
same rule OF law might be INVOKED IN me
case OF the ball player VINO talls 10 S,,nnn' tane
advantage OF those given him by sleep
ing or by passing up his rights Wnch
are. IN the case In controversy hrst oase'
From latest reports. Lefty" Leiheid'
pitcher of the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been
unable TO trade himself to some other
team under the novel arrangement ne mas
with his club. Barney Dreyfuss, chieI
owner OF the Pirates. Is deadly opposeu
TO having any dissatisfied players on MS
team and was quite willing to allow Lei
field TO buy his own release Tor SS'VoV'
Fred Clarke, manager OF the team hau
ideas OF his own on tho subject however
and. insisting that the team needed
pIayer more than it did the money. put his
foot down and persuaded Mr. Dreyfuss 10
allow Ieined to trade himself TO Some
other team for player who would be ac-
ceptable 10 the Pirates Leiheld ~ saiu
TO be anxious to trade himself to the 81
Louis Cardinals or the Chicago CUBS WIN
the former team preferred. but up 10 da'e
he has had no offers as a salesman OF his
own wares.
Fred Tenney. manager OF the Boston
Braves last year. and at one time hrst
baseman OF the Giants. may handle the
Fall River club OF the New England
League this year Negotiations are SAID
to be pending by which he will buy an
interest in the club and take over the
management
According to Tom Rice. John Hummel, |
who PLAYED second base for the SuperoaS |
last year &c taking to the outned like |
duck TO water, and is likely TO be found In |
tho suburbs with Zach Wheat and .tub |
Northen when the bell rings to open the
season Bill Dahlen believes that under
those conditions he will be far more et-
fective in his batting. 1f Hummer goes 10
the outiield, Jerry Downs. who was utility
Inhelder with the Detroit team when the
Tigers were winning pennants' VIII DC
groomed for second base. The development
OF James, whom a Boston critic called n
second Iris Speaker last week may chahge
those mans James is hard hitting out
fielder from the Texas League, and If he
continues slamming the ball about he is
ouite likely to earn a place in the outhcld.
Jerrv Downs. by the way, Is getting his
third chance for regular position In the
major leagues. He was with Detroit IN
1908 and 1909, but in the latter year was
traded 10 washington with Germany
schafror for Jim Delehanty. In 1910 he vas
sent "a the Minneapolis team OF the Amer
lean Association, where he played wen
enough TO attract Bill Dahlen's attention.
first game with the Washington Senator'S
he will have been the rounds OF the four
Eastern clubs in the American League. lie
began with the Philadelphia Athletics, but
eventually was traded TO the Boston Red
sox. He was released ny tho latter club
10 the Baltimore club OF the International
League, from which, after a good season
four years ago, he was purchased by the
New York Yankees His jump 10 Wash
inGton came a few days ago on the trade
that brought "Gabby' Street TO this city.
Sammy Strange. onetlme second basoman
OF the Giants. is in France trying TO in
troduce baseball in that country Incl
dentally he Is studying music.
Sam Wallach doesn't care n snap for the
high cost OF living. Tho busy little man
ager of Lcaches and Phil Cross bought an
other stamp TO tell the world at large how
and why Leach is going to wallop "One
Round" Hogan when they meet on Wednes-
day night at the Madison A. c., OF Harlem.
In letter 10 The Tribune Samuel says:
Leach will try his best to put One Round
Hogan to sleep when they meet on
Wednesday night. Leach Is boxing better
now than at any time of his career. and no
ono need be surprised II he wins before the
limit. Hogan. no doubt. feels that 1t will
be up TO him to redeem himself for that
miserable showing he made against Nc
Farland, and he Is going to fight his hard
est to win. He has everything to gain
now and nothing to lose. 80 hard battle
is In prospect.
phil Cross will meet Young Hickey |
at the Olympic Club on March 1S He is
going along like a real champion now and |