Evening star., 1914-03-15
CHANGE IN PLAYING CODE
FALLS HARD ON COACHERS
No Longer Can Coacher at Third Resort to Foot Ball or
Wrestling Tactics to Save Runners From
Being Thrown Out at Home.

bent on trying for the plate, but well
directed tackle of the coacher prevents
them from going through with their IN
tention. The ball is thrown to the plate.
but because Of the action of the coacher
no play is possible, although it was ten
to one bet that, had not the coacher IN
terfered, the runner would have been an
easy out. In such plays the umpires have
usually passed over the activities OF the
coacher. However, there would always
be a protest. and the umpire would have
hard time explaining just where he
drew the line. Now it Is an easy matter;
the rule is very plain: the base runner
is out the moment the coacher touches
him In any way, regardless OF where the
play comes up.
1t is a good rule. 1t should improve
base running. for runners will have to
keep their wits about them and pay some
attention to the directions of the coacher
at third instead of running with their
head down and depending on flying
tackle or a strangle hold by the coacher
to save them. if they are taking too big a
chance. incidentally. it may result in
more thrilling plays at the plate. Few
base plays create more exciting situa-
ton than the retiring of runner at the
plate through some fine throw on the part
Of a fielder. Such plays will now be
possible to a much greater extent, for In
the past the coacher would nip them In
the bud By stopping the runner by means
Of bodily force. 1t Is a rule that should
make things easier for the umpire. and.
being an umpire, I am always strong for
such rules.
Agree on Infield Fly Rules.
For tho first time in years the two
major leagues are to have a uniform
ruling on a certain section cf the balk
rule. In past years the two big leagues
held almost directly opposite opinions
on the accidental dropping Of the ball
hHyk kHo 5frh h 10 in, n ACT of p
lfvering same to the batter. Adhering
closely to the rules. the National League
Interpretation was the correct one, for
the code says that any motion to de-
liver the ball without delivering same
to the batter is a halk. When l first
Joined the staff Of the American League
such an accident was regarded as moth
ing: that is. If the pitcher struck his
arm, or had the ball slip from his hand
for some reason, no account was taken
OF the happening. The ball became dead
and no play was possible. The National
League stuck to the calling Of such a
happening a balk. Last year the Ameri-
can League shifted its Interpretation
of the play and made the ball in play
when such an accident happened, al
lowing base runners to advance at their
peril. never liked this ruling as well
as the old one, which rendered the ball
dead and play out Of the question, when
such. an accident came up. The Alneri-
can League at the recent meeting
adopted the Natlondl League ruunS,
the National League in turn adopting
the American League ruling on the in
field fly.
Fans Would Have Been Sore.
The making OF such a happening a
balk is the easy rule for the umpire,
hence the best. ] suppose. for now he
has nothing to do but call it balk.
which let's him out. I worked in Il
game several years ago in which The
enforcement Of such a rule would havo
/ left bad taste in the mouth of every
spectator present. The contest went
nineteen innings. being won by the
visiting team. to 4. Along about the
fourteenth inning the visitors got a
man as far as third, with only one out
The home pitcher in winding up.
slipped. his right arm striking his leg
in such a way that it caused the ball