Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-05-09
Even BIG League
PLAYERS SHY
ONRULES

Major league ball players study
every angle of the game but onc-the
rules.
II Is strange that in the greatest
game in the world the one neglected
thing is that which is first learned in
almost every other sport.
And yet we do not recollect of hav-
ing ever heard of club in the major
leagues that compelled its players to
have knowledge of baseball playing
rules.
1t is highly improbable that one
player in the high circle of baseball is
thoroughly acquainted with the rules.
Many upsets have been caused BY
ignorance Of playing rules Not sea-
son goes by but some important turn
in a teams race is featured by ignor-
ance of certain rule of the game on
the part of one or more players.
MerkIe's Play Recalled.
Turn to the history of the season of
1908 and you will find that the New
York Giants lost the National League
pennant because a number Of mem
bers-and one, Fred Mertle, in par
ticular-were not acquainted with a
certain important and not uncommon
rule of the game. The fact that
member of the Cubs knew the rule of
which the Giants were ignorant gave
Frank Chances team the National
League flag
Johnny Evers gained everlasting
fame because he won rsnnant simply
because he knew the rules thoroughly
and took advantage of that knowledge
Fred Merkle became prosecuted VIC
tim of ignorance of playing rules.
1t would seem that the fact that a
major league pennant was decided by
knowledge of the rules should serve
as sufficient reason why every major
league player should devote part OF
his time to becoming fully acquainted
with them. But the Merkle incident,
although remembered and often ~re-
ferred to at this day. failed to serve
as lesson. THERE'S as much ignor-.
ance as ever.
Stanage Pulls Blunder.
In the last game the Tigers played
at Montgomery, Ala, on their exhibit
tion trip there ives remarkable mis-
play. 1t happened that the chief actor
was Oscar Stanage, player who is
conceded to be the brainiest backstop'
in the American League. Although
Stanage committed the blunder, there
was not another man on the playing
field aware of it; at least no one
called the eatcher's attention to the
mistake, nor did any one try to pre-
vent it.
The play happened in Montgomery's
half of the first inning. One man was
out and a runner on first Two strikes
had been called on the batter, when
the pitcher, Troy, served low curve
ball The ball struck the ground in
back of the plate and bounded through
Stanage's legs. The batter. however
swung and missed and Stanage ran
after the ball.
Now, section of rule 81 reads:
"A batsman is out If while first
base be occupied by base runner the
third strike be called on him by the
umpire, unless two men are already
out"
Made Poor Throw.
But Stanage, recovering the ball,
made hurried throw toward first
The ball passed four feet outside the
bag. Gamer tried to block it, but
failed. One runner reached third and
the other got to second. Both scored
a few moments later.
1t happened that the same play came
up at Mobile three days before. Tie
Mobile catcher missed third strike,
with first base occupied and none out.
The batter started for first and the
runner on first started for second. |
The catcher recovered the ball and
was about to throw when voice from
the outfield shrieked: Hold the
BALI" Hold the BALI" He held it.
+ In two games, with the same situa-
ton arising twice, but one man knew
Of the rule. When the same play
came up a few days later Mont |
goInery did not know it and Detroit
did not remember it, although the
Tigers probably did not realize why
The catcher in Mobile was cautioned
not to make the throw.
1t is but one of the many situations
hat arise each season and in which
players prove that study of the rules |
mot ino1udod in THAR u-orE