New Britain herald., 1929-08-07
Speaking g of Sports


 A lot of discussion centered about an attempt to steal home made by Goody' Preisser in the fourth in- ming of the Landers- Corbin game at walnut Hill park last night: Preisser was running for Jagloski when he made the attempt. He was called out at the plate by Umpire Jimmy Ma her.
 AS Frank Nestor wound up for the pitch, Preisser came tearing in. Ostertag, catcher for Landers saw him coming and he stepped up to push Jack Wright, the batter. out of the way. Preisser slid in and Um- pire Maher waved him out Along the sidelines, the discussion arose on whether Preisser should have been safe because of Ostertags ac- ton or not
 We knew of no rule at the time which would cover the situation but an investigation showed us this morning that there is a rule to cover the exact situation. According to it, the catcher's action in stepping lip, was Interference" and made his pitcher "balk," giving the batter first base on the interference and bring ing Preisser in on the "balk."
 The rule covering the play is found in Section 2l of Rule 56. It is unled the rule When base runners are out" and it reads as follows:
 Tn event a base-runner is trying 10 score from third base on a pitch ed ball or the squeeze play, 'balk' and also an interference' shall be called if the catcher runs in front of the plate to catch the ball: and the runner shall be allowed to score and the batsman be entitled to first base. In such event the same penalties must be imposed in case he catcher pushes the batsman out of the way, or tips his bat"
 In the case in question, Ostertag did two things. He pushed Wright out of the way and he came out in front of the plate to catch the ball.
 No matter how long one plays or watches baseball, there is always something new that turns up. Jimmy Maher generally officiates at the games in which all of these knotty problems arise
 To settle an argument arising out of recent game, the rule on an in- field fly on which batter is declared out is cited. The umpire declared an infeld fly with runner on first base only and the case was argued from that point. The rule is found in sec ton of Rule 5 and is as follows:
 'If before two hands are out, while first and second or first, sec ond and third bases are occupied, he hit fair fly ball. other than a line drive, that can be handled by an in fielder. In such a case, the umpire shall, as soon as the ball be hit de- clare it an infield or an outfeld hit; 'uI tho iuiiiloIo fiidy pc oIl tHtll bases or advance at the risk of the ball being caught. the same as on any other fly ball."
 This rule defines When batsman is out" An infeld fly must therefore be called when first and second or first second and third is occupied with loss than fuo mi Eddie Hinchey, Bill McCue and Frank McGrath, the three whose claims to superiority in the 100-yard | dash has caused quite a controversy | have their fathers all up in the air over the subject
 Hinchey's father will bet money | that his son can beat both McGrath | and McCue while he offers odds of | , to that Eddie can beat McCue | in a match race. Then comes Charles McGrath. park policeman and father of Frank, saying that he can take | the three of them out on the track, give them a handicap and beat them to the tape. Maybe he can if he gets on his iron horse.
 The Sacred Hearts baseball team will practice Thursday night at | clock at the Washington school |