Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-29
QUEER PLAYS IN BASE BALL
OFTEN PUZZLE ENTHUSIASTS
Even Umpires Are Sometimes Mystified by
Unusual Occurrences During an Exhibi-
ton of the Great National Sport~

first to the clubhouse without touching
second. In the game under consideration
the base runner went from first to third
and failed to touch second. The play mar.
rowed itself down to a force third out
and rule 30 specifically says a run shall
not be counted If the base runner reach
home on or during play i'm which the
third man be forced out or put out before
reaching first base. In this case the rum
ner was forced at second, making the
third out. and naturally the run should
not have been allowed.
No topic under the sun has created sc
many arguments as base ball. This fact
was brought forcibly to my attention dur
ing the worlds series. In order to accom-
modate the crowds in Philadelphia mum
Der of people were allowed to stand in
right and left field at Shibe Park. Instead
OF using the ropes to keep them within
certain limits. temporary fence about
three feet high was constructed. This
fence was probably thirty feet from the
wall which surrounds the park. A ground
rule was made that hit into the crowd
behind the temporary fence should be
good for two bases. A number of fans.
unable to see the game from their posi-
ton in the crowd, climbed on top of the
concrete wall that surrounds the park.
In the sixth inning Of the second game
OF the series Frank Baker met a fast
Marquard and drove it over the right
field wall. This hit was a homer and
decided the game. the score at that time
being tie at 1 to j. AS the ball passed
over the crowd sitting on the wall, one
Of the fans made vicious lunge at the
ball, hoping to catch it. He didn't miss
1t very far at that. / had a seat in the
press box, and instantly some one re-
marked:
well. I wonder what the umpires
hod fs.a fos, hi he
ball with his hand and caused it to
drop in the crowd, which was covered
by a rule granting the batter two bases. .
Believe me. there was some gossiping
on that point for few minutes. 1t was
finally agreed that the umpire could
have done nothing else than allowed a
home run. A few still dissented after the
matter had been discussed pro and con.
Although admitting the ball would have
cleared the fence had it not been inter-
fered with by the fan on the wall. still
they insisted that the fan was technically
part of the crowd, a hit into which
meant two bases according to the ground
rules.
Naturally the crowd was damned up
tight against this fence. When the ar
gument relative to the home run had
died down some one remarked what
would the umpire do If a ball bounded
up, hit some one in the first row and
then fell back into playing territory.
bases should be allowed and the ball
be out of play, some steadfastly in
sisted that the ground rule called for
the ball to be hit In the crowd. They
declared that such ball was simply
against the crowd, and, according to q
strict Interpretation of the rules.
should be made to remain in play.
While the umpires would have allowed
two bases and q home run, had either
play come up. still the two arguments
serve to show both sides Of the ques-
ton.
Herman Schaefer never misses an OPP
portunity to do something out Of the
ordinary. BE 1t known his efforts are
not always confined to comedy stunts.
although he Is best known for his
laugh-producing qualities. Schaefer's
latest stunt was pulled on the Wash
ington grounds last summer and caus-
ed all kinds Of trouble for the oppos-
ing team. and also Umpires Connolly
and Parker. who were in charge of the
game. The score was tie. one man
was out, Milan on third and Schaefer
on first. Schaefer essayed a steal OF
second, with a hope that Milan might
score IL a play were made on him. The
catcher, instead. snapped the ball back
to the pitcher hoping ito trick Milan.
Schaefer reached second in safety. The
next batter was an easy out. With