The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-02
By JOHN A.. WEYDLER,
Secretary of the National LeaRu,

Secretary of the National League.
The pitcher always has been the don
inant factor In a baseball game. More
rules govern his work and prescribe how
/. shall be performed than handicap or
enhance the efforts OF the other eight
players.
The baseball public. even that part Of
it which is usually we'll informed in
the rules. never has thoroughly under
stood the rules for determining runs
earned off pitchers and the basic rules
and principles governing the determin-
ing Of games won and lost where two
or more pitchers participate for the
same team In the same am These
rules are the result of years OF ex-
p%erience and are considered as near per-
feet as expert baseball knowledge can
devise.
/ will send this week to each official
scorer Of the league a copy OF the rules,
to determine the p~erplexlng questions
arising under these two heads. These
rules are forwarded annually to the OFF,
c!al scorers. yet there are frequent dis
c%repencies In the Interpretation of the
rules. The rules follow
While II II not possible to make hard
ami fast rules for determining which
| pitcher should be credited with win
| ming. or charged with the loss of u game
| set there are certain fundamental rules
In arriving at a decision which have
stood the test OF criticism. ami which are
as follows:
/. When one pitcher Is relieved by
another. with unners on bases, charge
up all such runners, in case they score.
to tho first pitcher. The relieving
pitcher. coming INTO the game cold"
| and possibly In tho midst of "A batting
rally, cannot be held responsible for
runners he may find on the bases; nor
should he be charged UP with the
first batsman he faces reaching first
| II such batsman had any advantage
because Of the wild pitching Of the
first pitcher.
9. Where the relieving pitcher goes
In with the score tie on even innings
he must win or lose the game, re-
CARELESS OF the number OF innings,
or how effectively the first pitcher may
have pitched. If the first pitcher is
relieved with the score in his favor.
and later the score Is tied up off Sec
ond pitcher. then the latter wins or
loses. 4. tie game at any stage with
no ono on bases) must he considered
TO all intents and purposes as the start
OF a new game for tho second pitcher.
3. Where the frst pitcher is retired
after pitching, say. seven innings, he
IL entitled to the benefit of all runs
scored by his side In an equal number
OF innings. For instance, Brown OF
the home club has pitched seven in
nings. with tho score . to o against
him. He is taken out when his turn
at bat comes in tho seventh. Before
close of that inning his team mas
scored two runs Brown retircs with
the game a tie, and the next pitcher
becomes responsible.
1. Do not give the first pitcher credit
for a gam won. even II score IL IN
his favor, unless ne has pitched ut
least the first half OF the game. A
pitcher retired at close OF fourth in
ming. with tho score 9 to ] In his favor.
has not "A won game. IL. however, u"
IL taken out because OF his team
having secured a commanding and
winning lead in "A few innings. then
he In entitled to the win. The good
Judgment OF the scorer must determine
in such cases. M much depends on
whether the pitcher IL relieved because
OF ineffectiveness or because he has
q commanding lead. or because 1t be-
comes necessary at Il critical stage
Ia replace him by a stronger batsman.
b. Regardless Of how many innings
the hrst pitcher may have pitched. he
ID charged with the loss Of the game
II he 10 retired with the score against