Evening star., 1920-03-04

The pitching rules recently were
given considerable attention and sew
eral rather drastic changes were
made concverning actions of the
pitcher, perhaps none more than that
which relates to the delivery Of the
ball to the batsman while the pitcher
is of the rubber. Under the old code
that was simply a ball If there were
no runners on the bases. and a balk
il there were runners. The batsman
had no rights. It Is different under
a swing at such q delivered ball II he
desires. Hero is the rule that covers
the rights Of the batsman to hit an
improperly delivered ball:
"If with no one On the bases. the
pitcher delivers the ball while on tho
rubber, the umpire shall call ball.
whether 1t goes over the plate fair or
at such an illegally delivered ball. 1t
counts either for strike or whatever
play may follow"
I don't know that am SO keen for
that rule. 1t is rather contradictory.
! really prefer considering 1t an ll-
legally delivered ball and not giving
the batsman any rights. But that Is
merely my opinion.
The question Of dropping a ball
about to be pitched, whether inten-
tionally or accidentally. has also been
specifically covered. For years the
two major leagues have disagreed on
this. The American League has al
ways treated such cases as accidents
and allowed their runners to advance
at their peril. The National League
has always considered such an act
a balk, because the pitcher failed TO
go through with the delivery to the
batsman, which is one of the ways
balk can be made. Here is the new
version:
"If, with one or more runners on the
bases, the pitcher, in the act of dellv-
ering the ball to the batsman or IN
throwing to first base, drops the ball
the umpire shall call it a "balk' and
advance runner or runners. No PEN
atty shall be imposed If, with no one
on the bases. the pitcher drops the
ball while delivering it to the bats-
man."
Two other things which relate to
the balk rule are Of interest one is
that a pitcher. after having taken ms
position, with both hands holding the
ball in front OF him, he cannot tahe
either hand off the ball, except IN ue-
llVeTIH6 tIio odIi 10 the DatSIhoh.
an act will be regarded as balk. VI
late years number of pitchers We're
in the habit of so DOING. often causing
the base runner embarrassment. as ne
regarded such an act as the beginning
Of the delivery only to be fooled oy
having the pitcher throw to the oase'
in an EFFORT to catch him mapping.
When halk is declared the pan ~
considered dead" and no play can pe
made until the runner or runners runner:
reach the base to which they are eh'i-
tied.
II there is anything an umpire
hates, 1t IS to be hit by a battea DaIi.
1t is not because of physical injury
that might result. but because ne IS
supposed to be agile enough 10 keep
out OF the way by selecting proper po,
sit'9ns: Sas an and to be hit makes ~ thera seem
he mas been asleep. However; theIe
are tunes when 1t is imposslpie "
keep from being hit. as some oae'eo
oa1is come with riflelike speed
Inere have been several changes IN
me ruies which have a oearins on
the umpire being so hit For instance. ):
We VII assume the winning ~" ~,
on L thirt base in the last mar .M.. OF the
n.n'n apd one man is out. Natura!iy
tne innEid moves in close Tor play
a' ths gate, in hopes OF peihe ao!s 70