The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-13
PITCHERS HELPED
BY RULE CHANGE
Baseball Rules Committee Al
lows Hurlers To Use Legs
More In Wind-Up

BELLEAIR, Fla, Feb. 12.0lP-
Baseball's playing rules committee
finally got around to giving the
pitchers some help at their meet
ing here today. They passed a new
rule which will permit the hard
pressed FINGERS much more lati-
tude in the use of their legs on
the wind-up.
Sponsored by Owner Clark Crit
fifth of the Washington Senators
the new rule provides that the
pitcher may take his position with
one leg outstretched behind him
and have the advantage of a full,
swinging stride as he goes for
ward to deliver the ball.
Previously, the moundsman has
been compelled to stand facing the
batter, with his two feet parallel,
and he gained only what momen-
tum he could in swinging his free
leg forward from that awkward
position. The greater freedom now
permitted might have a revolution
airy effect upon pitching and bat
ting averages.
The new rule, which was bitterly
opposed by Eddie Collins, general
manager of the Boston Red Sox,
st%ipulates only that the pitchers
foot must be in contact with the
rubber. His other foot is free, ex-
cept that he cannot step to either
side of the plate, and that he can
not raise either foot until in the
act of throwing. He may, in the
wording of the rule, take one
step back and one forward"
Collins fought the motion, he
said, because it will cause more
cheating than ever on the part Of
pitchers" He declared he would
rather have voted for the return
of the spit-ball.
you'll see,' he prophesied.
"Now that they can start front
from a position like a Splinter,
pitchers will be lifting that front
foot off the rubber and taking
what amounts to two full Jumps
before they turn loose the ball."
Other memb' RS of the commit
tee, who started ov~erhauling the
rule book from cover to cover
before noon and continued arguing
far into the night, were unani-
nous in adopting the rule. Presi-
dent Will Harridge of the Ameri-
can league expressed the opinion
that pitchers now will have as
great a head-start on the batters
as ever they had in the old day
of the "spitter" and emery ball
Others who attended the meeting
were Commissioner K. M. Lands
President Ford Prick Of the Ma.
tional league, President Bob Quinn
Of the Boston Bees, President San
Breadon Of the st. Louis Cardinals
President Clark Griffith Of thu
washington Senators, Umpire-Jn'
Chief Tom Connally Of the Ameri.
can league, and w. G. Bramham
commissioner Of the minor leagues
Other than the pitching amend.
ment, they made no changes O.
very great Importance, and the,
stepped bluntly on a suggestion by
Quinn that the intentional pass b.
abolished or penalized by giving
the batter two bases instead O
one. Pitchers will go right on is
suing free trips to first, and here
after the catcher will not eve
have to make a p%retense of squat
ting behind the plate. The rul
saying it constitutes a balk if tn
backstop stepped out to the sid
before the pitcher cut loose wa
removed from the book.
A new rule affecting mainly tn
minor leagues provides that a.
inning must not be started afte
1850 at night. At least one com
munity complained last season be
cause games continued after mid
night and disturbed the sleep O
neighbors. Neither, after this. ma.
more than two games be played b,
a club in a single day.
Umpires hereafter will have tn
power to forfeit a game any tim
they believe that a club is "pal
pably delaying or shortening
came" They also were ordered t
see that pitchers do not put resi-
directly on the ball.