El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-03-14

hold by the coacher to save them, II they
are taking too big a chance. lncldenaliy II
may result in more thrilling plays at the
plate Few base plays create more e1-
sitting situation than the retiring OF run
ner at the plate, through some line throw
on the part Of a fielder. SUCH plays viii
now be possible to a much greater extent
Tor In the past the cOacher would nip them
in the bud. by stopping the runner "
means Of bo5fIy force 1T is a rule that
should make things easier for the umpire
and being an umpire am always strong
Tor such rules.
Agree on InffeId Fly Rules
For the first time in years the Two major
Ieagues are to have uniform ruling on a
certain section Of the balk rule In past
years the two big leagues held almost
directly opposite opinions on the accidental
dropping Of the BAH by the pitcher, while
IN the act Of delivering same to the batter.
Aoherlng closely to the rules, the National
league Interpretation was the correct one,
-, - SOie says lnal Sliy - - =
llFer the ball without delivering same 70
the batter is a balk- When 1 first joined
the starr OF the American league such an
accident was regarded as nothing LnaI 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
pail became dead and no play was possible
The American league at the recent meet
ing adopted the National league ruling, the
National league in turn adopting the Ameri-
can league ruling on the infield fly.
Fans Would Have, Been Sore.
The making Of such a happening a balk
Is the easy rule for the umpire, hence the
do but call it a balk which let's him out.
worked in game several years ago in
which the enforcement of such a rule would
nave lett a bad taste in the mouth OF every
spectator present The contest went 19
innings, being won by the visitors to 4.
Along about the 14th inning the visitors
got a man as far third with only one
out me home pitcher in winding up
slipped, his right arm striking his leg in
Such a way that 1t caused the pail 70 De
knocked out Of his hand and crop dead at
his feet The American league ruling at
the time was that the bah was not in play,
so there was no dispute. Under the new
ruling I would have beeu<eompelledF to call
player with what would have been the
winning run It would be hard to imagine
more hollow fashion to win so exciting
game None Of the home fans were sore
run in the 18th inning, but what rabid
lot they would have been if that accidental
balk had decided the game.
The American league ruling on the in
field fly, which both leagues Will use, is
simply that the base runner must hold his
base when the umpire calls infield fly until
the ball is caught or strikes the ground If
he fails to do so he can be retired
caught fly ball The infield fly rule was
made to protect the base runner; all ne
main on his base when the umpire calls
infield fly and stay there until the ball is
either caught or strikes the ground
1 regret no action was taken on plays
in which the catcher interfered with the
batsnan- On such plays have always be-
Heved it would be a good move to allow all
base runners to advance, whether forced or
not This would make the penalty so
severe that catchers would never in self
defence Intentionally interfere with the
batsman to possible prevent run from be-
ing scored--Copyright, 1914, BY ". G.
Evans