Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1888 — NEW BASE-BALL RULES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

NEW BASE-BALL RULES.

AS ADOPTED BY THE MAGNATES 111 ANNUAL CONTENTION. A Graded System of S«lari«< —No More Put - Outs on Foul Tips Cleveland Takes the Place of Detroit In tho League. The annual convention of base-ball magnates was held iu New York last week, and many changes in the playing rules were effected. The first matter that engaged their attention was the problem of devising a change in tho rules that would increase the batting. Many suggestions w ere made. One was to put back the pitcher’s box five feet; another to give tho batsman six strikes: another to widen the fair grounds; another the restoration of the high and low ball. The committee discussed the suggestions exhaustively, and finally decided to let the matters stand just as they were last season, except to hold the pitcher down to four balls. Three strikes and four balls will, theu, be the rule for next season. Tho “foul-tip” out was abolished. Hereafter a batsman will not be put out on any foul caught within a radius of ten feet of the home plate. So, iu order to prevent nny disputes on that point next season, it w ill be necessary to have a semicircular chalk lino from the foul lines marked ten feet distant from the center of the home plate. Another change made was that when the umpire stauds behind tho pitcher, if he is stiaick by a batted ball, the batsmaii takes first and is credited with a hit, and any runner on a base is entitled to take the next base. It was also decided that the name of tho tenth plnyer who is reqxiired by the rules to be on the ground in uniform to take the place of any player who may ho injured shall be printed on the score cards. The snoxifice hit was defined as a hit of any kind that was not a fair hit that moved a man up a base. The other changes are: Substitutes—One player, whose name shall bo printed on the score card as an extra player, may be substituted at the end of any completed inning by either club, but tho player retired shall not thereafter participate in the game. The only change in the definition of a dead ball is that the umpire must be standing on foul ground if the ball strikes any part of his persou or clothing. A new rule entitling a batter to his base is as follows: “If upon a fair hit the ball strikes the person or clothing of the umpire on fairground.” Pertaining to bases, an amendment to nile 51 permits a runner to return to his base after an umpire has declared a foul without any regard to touching the bases. A, runner shall return to his base “if the person or clothing of the umpire is struck by a ball thrown by the catcher to intercept the base runner." Iu defining the powers of ail umpire to impose a fine of not less thun $5 nor more than $25 for abusive, threatening, or improper language to the umpire an amendment was made as follows: “A repetition of the offense shall subject such player to a removal from the game and the immediate substitution of another player then in uniform. ” An additional base-hit iB provided “when a batted ball hits the person or clothing of the umpire standing on fair grmmd.” It is provided that in the fourth column of the tabulated score "shall be placed each sacrifice hit, whioh shall be crodited to the player who shall advance a runner a base on a hit other than a basehit.” The League adopted a plan of graded salaries for its playeis, to be made up in five classes. The lule concerning this point is as follows: “The compensation for all League players for services as players shall be limited, regulated and determined by the classification and grade to which such players may ba assigned by the Secretary of the League, after the termination of the championship season, as follows: Glass A, compensation $2,500; class B, compensation $2,250; class G, compensation $2,000; class D, compensation $1,750; class E, maximum compensation $1,500. This section will not prohibit tho payment of extra compensation for the services of one person to each club as field captain or team manager. In determining the assignment to the different grades, batting, fielding, base-running, battery work, earnest team work, aud exemplary conduct, both on arid off the field at all times will be considered as a basis for classification. N. E. Young was re-elected President and Secretary of the League. He has been five years President of the League and nineteen years Secretary of the League ana its predecessor, the National Association. Mr. Young submitted a report showing that New York had won the greatest percentage of games during the season, and a resolution was adopted awarding New York tho champions nip pennant. Cleveland was admitted to membership in the League, taking the place of Detroit.

A 1 Bpalriintf’ii Great Scheme. [San Francisco telegram.] Just previous to the departure of the Chicago and All-America teams for Australia, John W. Ward, in the course of a conversation with a friend, said: "Spalding has on foot a scheme which for boldness and scope tops anything ever before attempted in (he field of sports. Instead tof returning to America via California, he hns hit upon the idea of taking the two teams around the world, coming home via London. ” “Has the scheme assumed a definite shape?” was asked. “Yes; Mr. Spalding is beginning to dicker with transportation companies. The 16th he signed a contract with 8. Stamford Parry, General European Agent of the Burlington Road, to look the matter up at the European end and report whether the plan is feasible. The 17th Mr. Parry left for the East. Within a few days he will sail for England and the Continent, and by the time we land in Sydney we shall know something more definite. The trip will be across the Indian Ocean to India, up the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, where a side trip will be Sade to Cairo and Alexandria. Thence ie route will be across the Mediterranean to Brindisi, Italy, thence by rail and water to Rome, Vienna, Paris, Berlin, London, Liverpool and Dublin. Though nothing positive can yet be said, I can say with much surety that the scheme will be consummated, and that before we return the All-America and Chicago teams will have shown the world how to play our ; glorious game.”

Congres. will convene on Monday next. Iron is advancing in price, and the t; ilers are on a strike for living wages. Hon. James H. Willard, of Lawrence county, is a candidate tor Speaker of the House. Look out for bogus $5 silver certificates. They bear a blurred picture of Grant, which is the principal defect of the bill, aside from the caper not having a silk fiber. Gen, John M. Palmer, late Democratic candidate for Governor of Illinois, has withdrawn from the G. A. R. Post, Springfield, 11lHe alleges political perversion of the order.

Ex-Senator McDonald recently met W. W. Dudley and informed him that he should and would be arrested the moment he set foot oi Indiana soil; and hoped such an example would be made of him as would forever hereafter relieve the Satate from his eleetion methods. The Pittsburgh district coal op. •rators have shut down' their mines indefinitely, throwing AOQQ miners out of emptoyment - Thip at the beginning of winter, and in the face of the suecess of the “protection to labor? theory at the polls. Harriion was elected; the ▼erdict was for “protection,* steady employment and good wagpßs to labor, wtth free whisky and free tobacco thrown in.

A correspondent of that valued and able State paper, “The Indianapolis Sentinel,” makes the fol" owing timely and sensible suggestions in reference to the permanent organization of clubs: To the Editor- Sir: For several days 1 have noticed suggestions in your paper from correspondents as to the methods to be employed in assuring a democratic victory in 1892. They don’t offer however, any details of the work. “Please allow me to suggest the methods that have found much favor among the democracy of New Y( rk. That is, the organization of tariff reform clubs throughout the state to be under the supervision of a state convention. These clubs could secure a permanent footing by introducing a social feature. They should be composed mostly of young democrats and those interested in the movement. Attention should be given to local politics and efforts made to sesure good, honest men on our party ticket. In Indianapolis there is ample material for one these clubs and as 1 see that a number of republicans have revived the Slick Six modus operandi for the next city campaign it would be well for such local clubs to give their attention to this city’s government. The rings in the present city council and the bad administr *tion qt the present mayor give us an advantage that we mnst not lose bv failing to be on the alert. I think it would be well for your paper to “agitate” this question of a local club. G. L. D. ludiavapolis, N v. 29. An organization has been effected in Indianapolis under the name of “The Turpie Club.” We see no reason why they should not exist in every township in the State, Established on a “social” as well as "political” basis, the meetings of such associations could be made both instructive and entertaining.