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BASEBALL RULES
REVISED
Tomorrow's Prospects
By 'SHORT STOP'
The rules committee of
'America's national sport re
cently made a number of im
portant revisions of the base
ball code. Attention was paid
to simplification of -wording as
well as the amending of play
ing instructions, which, should
be welcomed bv nmnires snd
scorers alike.
One of the most Important alterations
is the shortening of the distance from
home plate to the backstop from 90 ft.
to 60 ft. Bases must not be more than
live inches, nor less than three inches In
thickness.
Several rules have been merged into
one. For Instance, in the old code there
was one rule lor a regulation game, one
fcr a called game, one for a. drawn game,
&c, but these are now all covered by a
new rule as is also 'ball dead' and 'not
in play.'
The rule regarding a line drive striking
either first or thim bases was never clearly
denned, but the new version leaves no
doubt as to the fairness of the lilt.
A new rule decrees that the catcher
shall be charged with an error and not a
passed ball, if he drops or misses a third
strike, allowing the batsman to reach first
base. Scorers will no longer credit a fcats
man with a sacrifice fly, as this rule has
been deleted irom the summary. This
appears quite reasonable, because when a
batter hits a long fly he was equally as
eager to hit a home run. A sacrifice can
be scored only when a batter intentionally
bunts the l-all, resulting in his dismissal
and the advancement of the runner or
runners. This is & sacrifice in the fuil
meaning of the word.
Tomorrow's Fixtures
A Grade— West Torrens v. Glenelg, Police;
Prospect v. Port Adelaide. Camden; Uni
versity v. E. Torrens, University; Kensing
ton v. Goodwood, Adelaide Oval No. 2;
Adelaide v. Sturt. Walkerville.
B Grade — West Torrens v. Glenelg,
Police, 1.30 pjn.; Y.M.C.A. v. Port Adelaide,
Camden; No. 2, 3 pjn.. University v. Bast
Torrens, Camden No. 2, 1.30 pjn.; Kensing
ton v. Goodwood. Adelaide Oval; Mo. 2,
Adelaide v. Sturt, WalSerrtlle.
C Grade— Adelaide Colts v. West Torrens
Colts; Camden No. 1, 1.30 pjn.
Kensington v. Goodwood
Absorbing interest -will De evinced in
the fourth series of matches tomorrow,
because of the probability of close and
exciting finishes in every game. Extra
spice is also added when there is a possi
bility of surprise results. Chief attention
will be paid to Ore match between Ken
sington and Goodwoods, finalists In last
year's championship. The absence of Bayly
and C. Alexander, specially from attack,
has left a pronounced gap in the premier's
line-up. Despite this. Kensington's baiting
is superior to that of their rivals, but the
red and blacks' sound defence may be
the potent factor in their win.
Glenelg, heartened by the return of
South, who pitched his team, to victory
against Fort, is sure to provide stem op
position to West Torrens. The blue and
gold should win. but by a narrow margin.
It is unlikely that Owen will be available
after next month.
Port Adelaide, by reason of stronger
batting, should account for Prospect.
The students revealed a batting streak
last week when, they sent out 14 hits in
five innings against Adelaide. Both Univer
sity and East Torrens are noted for their
sound field work, but the former's batsing
punch should decide the issue.
Sturt selectois have jnciTidM Williamson
in place of Meldrum for the match against
Adelaide. The batting of the Unley men
revealed an Improvement last week, and
they should defeat ftrtPlaide.
Leading Batsmen
The season so far has been marked by
heavy hitting. Consequently pitchers have
not had a, happy time. No fewer than
nine home runs were poled out in the three
series of matches, Owen and Movie each
malting two. and Cole. L. Pellew. Andrews,
Cross, and Booth, one each.
The following are the leading safe
hitters: — Cross (Kens.). Cole (W.T.). 8;
Swaason (W.T.), 7; L. Pellew (Univ.). Owen
(W.T.). Williams (AdeL), Morgan (Port).
6; Todd, Gniesple (Univ.), Clarke (E.T.).
Drennan. (GdwcL), S. Holland (Kens.), and
R. South (Glenelg.), 5.
Personalities
Two of the keenest players In the
league are the Puckett brothers, who form
the battery for Prospect. Their work was
the outstanding feature of the Prospect
Goodwood match on Saturday. Possessed
of a powerful arm, Charlie's effortless and
fast throw to second Dase, Is one of the
best in the league. To prove that their
combination is not confined to battery
work, T. Puckett laid down a sacrllice
bunt to score his brother from third base.
T. Puckett, in catcning three foul £ys,
performed the rare feat of ^icmiggiTig a
side in one iTiTHng»
Norman Walhs (Sturt) had a busy day
at centre field, accepting five flys, but was
out of luck with the bat.
Although Siurt ii«« lost Les Hayter as a
pitcher, he is performing great service at
second base. Bis work with the hickory
is also consistent.
Waste of Baseballs
In the American league the umpires are
handed four dozes. tmii« by the Home team
before each game. Club owners are now
Intent on reducing waste of baseballs, the
cost In the two major leagues last year
reaching the enormous sum of £30,000.
Records showed that- over half of the balls
used were lost in the grand stands, where
they found, their ,way Into spectators'
pocEets.
JBecently nln association was formed &t
Mount 'Gam'bler. and now comes news
tiiat the basebajj cult is spreading in the
country districts of Victoria. Clubs are
being formed at'Colac. BaJarat. and Dan
denong.
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