New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-14
RADICAL CHANGES
IN BASEBALL CODE
No More Can MCGraW Hurl
Back Fleeing Runner
at Third Base.

80 more shall the famous McGraw div
| ing tackle hurl back the neeting base
runner as he rounds third base This
picturesque feature Of the games at the
Polo Grounds, giving. as it did, a smack
OF football to the diamond, has been
abolished bv the rules committee in a
! vigorous overhaulns Of the code.
| The announcement was made at joint
| meeting Of representatives Of the Amcri-
can and National leagues al the Biltmore
| Hotel yesterday.
| An entirely new section Of Rule IS was
J drawn up. 1t provides that if any coacher
at third base touch or hold base runner
at the bag or a runner who is rounding
| third base for home the umpire shall
declare such base runner out Thus will
Chief Meyers rounding the far station at
| full speed be compelled TO pull up within
his own length at the signal instead OF
depending upon some willing coacher 10
stop mis- mad career.
But this isn't all The rules committee
cut. slashed and amended until IT was
agreed that if a thrown ball touch an UNI
pirc it shall be considered stu in play and
the runner shall be entitled To all the
bases ne can make.
The inepttude OF certain umpres in
getting in the way Of double play or
| play at first has long been the cause OF
much unhappiness among the fans. But
+ now a runner can prance as far as he is
inclined if a ball bounces off an arbiter's
shoulder TO the srandstand.
As the rule now reads he must return
/ to bis base only if the person or cloth
/ inc Of the umpire interferes with the
/ catcher alone in an attempt TO throw
while stationed back Of the plate
| Many other changes Of minor impor-
that no double play or two outs can be
made ON m attempted squeeze play
! when the batter interferes with the
catcher. If the baserunner is safe the
| batter is out. but if The runner is put
ont in spite of the interference the bat
! ter is not out.
! Furthermore. il has been ruled that if
ball is batted into the stands a runner
! is compelled to complete the circuit OF
| th' bases. Jimmy Sheckard. in fit Of
| lazineSs on hot DAY last summer,
/ knocked out home run and only went
| as far as second base before trotting 10
| the bench. He insisted that he was not
compelled to touch third and home as it
| was not provided :Or in the rules. The
| change has been made To cover this case.
In regard 10 pitching, few minor al
| terations have been Incorporated in the
rules. Preliminary TO pitching the ball
| the twirler may have both feet squarely
ON the ground and in front Of the pitch
| er's plate. according 20 the old rule. or
| have his feet on top of the rubber. Also
| a balk shall lie recorded when a pitcher
| delivers the ball with either foot back
| of the pitchers plate OF not in contact
| with IT, The National League has al
! ways considered ii a bdlk when a pitcher
drops the ball in the act of delivering
| it. This Is Il matter of Interpretation
| which Ban Johnson intends To take up
/ win his league in the hope Of reaching
an agreement.
! The rules governing the stopping OF A
RATED ball with cap. glove or any
! part of the uniform while detached from
! It's proper place is applied as well TO a
/ thrown ball. the runner being entitled
| 10 three bases If ba tied ball is caught
or stopped in this manner and two bases
! if il is q thrown ball. In case a batted
4 bah hits an umpire before il touches n
! fielder the runner shall ne allowed to
| advance without liability 10 be put out.
! but If il j. fumbled and rolls away and
hits an umpire the runner can he put out
as usual IL he tries 10 advance
| Hereafter HuGhie Jennings can ia bbe =
at viii to ny" Cobb while he is al bat.
1 By the rules to talk only 10 the base
runner. although the regulation has not
| been vigorously enforced. Now he may
talk 80 the batter
| When thrown ball sticks in the
! meshes Of "A wire screen the runner shall
! be entitled 10 two bases. In calling time
| the umpire is not compelled 10 wait for
! tie ball to 10 returned 10 the pitcher in
| case OF fire. panic or storm.