Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1917 — BILLY EVANS SOLVES BASEBALL PROBLEMS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BILLY EVANS SOLVES BASEBALL PROBLEMS

(Written Especially for This Paper by the Famous American League Umpire.) A play came up in one of the smaller minor leagues several years ago that probably will never happen again. It was a freak pure and simple, but it Is always a

possibility, for I once saw Hal Chase turn the same trick in practice, and “Kid” Elberfeld pull It in a game, but not with such results as happened in the minor league episode. In the game -In question, the play came up In the last half of the ninth, with the bases filled, no one Out, three runs needed to tie and four to win. It happened the year after the rule had been changed, and the recruit umpire not being familiar with the change, interpreted the play incorrectly and a riot followed. At that, most of the fans really did not know what they were kicking about at the time, most of the trouble makers simply stirring up things on general principles. The batter, one of the hardest hitters on the team, hit a fine drive In the direction of the second baseman. It was evident to the runners that the ball‘was so far over the fielder’s head that there was not a chance for him to get it; at the crack of the bat they had

all started to advance. As the ball neared the second baseman, that play erf that he was unable to get it, tossed his glove in the air at the ball. As he afterwards admitted, he did not know that he was violating any rule. Anyway, the glove struck the ball squarely, causing it to fall toward the ground within a short distance of the second baseman, who recovered the ball before it struck the ground, touched second and threw to first, completing a triple play that was allowed by tlie umpire. Of course, there was a big kick, in which the home crowd joined in lustily. Had the infielder not thrown his glove at the ball and checked —its course, It might have gone for a home run and won the game. Throwing one’s glove at the ball to stop the progress of such drives as the player was unable to reach otherwise was a rather common practice at one time. To eliminate this objectionable stunt, the rulemakers imposed a severe penalty, which has practically stopped it entirely. The rule entitles the batsman to three bases on all plays where the fielder stops or catches a batted ball with his cap, glove, or other part of his uniform while detached from the proper place on his person. Thus, in the play described, instead of allowing a triple play that retired the side, all three runners should have been permitted to score, and the man who hit the ball granted third base. I saw Elberfeld make such a play in a regular game, with two out and no one on the bases. It really worked to advantage, for the batter who hit the ball was very fast and probably would have made a home run, but for the Tifle, as it seemed impossible for the left or center fielder to reach the ball.’ Elberfeld was playing shortstop at the time. (Copyright by the Wheeler Syndicate, Inc.)

Hal Chase.