Group I. No. 350 IgV 879 [jl915 ■ Copy 1 HI Price 10 cents ATHLETIC LIBRARY v3^-v HOW TO SCORE A BASE BALL GAME itil a0"5ai..w-*:;-: liill M iillil American Sports Publishing Co. ■„» "!iii, 21 Warren Street, NewYorK rvV.? H A. G. Spalding & Bros. • i-^'i^./ir . „^ MAINTAIN THEIR OWN HOUSES ^^j'''^^^ FOR DISTRIBUTING THE *' vSpalding COMPLETE LINE OF Athletic Goods •^ V /" •' JN THE FOLLOWING CITIES X- ]^ (SM) NEW YORK BUFFALO, N. Y. 61 1 Main Street SYRACUSE, N. Y. 357 So. Warren Street ROCHESTER, N. Y. 40 Clinton Ave.. North ALBANY, N. Y. 62 State Street BALTIMORE, MD. 110 E. Baltimore St. LONDON, ENGLAND 317>3I8, HlghHoIbom.W.C. 78, Cneapside, E. C .West End Branch 29,Haymarket,S.W LIVERPOOL 72, Lord Street BIRMINGHAM, ENG. New Street House CHICAGO 28-30 So. \Xabash Ave. INOIANAPOLiS, IND. 1 38 N. Pennsylvania St. CINCINNATI, O. 119 East Fiftli Avenue CLEVELAND, O. 741 Euclid Avenue COLUMBUS, O. 191 South High Street DETROIT, MICH. 121 Woodward Ave. WASHINGTON, D. 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No. 350 HOW TO SCORE A Practical Textbook for Scorers of Base Ball Games, Amateur and Expert BY J. M. CUMMINGS Late Editor of The Sporting News, for Fourteen Years Sporting Editor of The Baltimore News, Official Scorer of the Baltimore Base Ball Club for Seven Seasons, Member of the Base Ball Writers' Association 4^ i PUBUSHED BY American Sports Publishing Company 21 WARREN STREET, NEW YORK _0 DO" -XOD Copyright, 1915, by American Sports Publishing Company INDEX Preface . . . . . PAGE 3 Glossary of Initials Used by Scorers . 4 The Art of Scoring 6 The Scoring Rules . II Base-Hit vs. Error ... 4 15 Sacrifice Hits and Flies 26 Fielder's Choice and Force Hit . , 29 Put-Outs and Assists . • \ 32 Times at Bat . . • 1 .' 36 Scoring of Runs . . . , 38 The Earned Run . . • , 41 Double Plays and Stolen Bases . 43 Miscellaneous Details , 47 Crediting or Charging the Pitcher 52 Abrupt Terminations 56 Making Up the Box Score , 58 Appendix— Answers to Problems 70 ©CU4063( JUN 19 1915 56 ')^A) \ u . - SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. % ^ PREFACE J For many years base ball has* felt the need of more uniform scoring by the hundreds of 6fficial scorers attached to the clubs of "organized" base ball scattered throughout the country. The scoring rules, as promulgated from year to year by the Rules Committee of the major leagues, while ample for the ex- pert's guidance, leave too much to be interpreted by the beginner. Dropping from consideration the beginner's inexperience and his inability to obtain more definite written instruction on many obscure details of his art, from the mere standpoint of "many men, many minds," the result has been that even so-called "correct" scoring has shown a great range of latitude, according as the scorer has interpreted the instructions at his disposal strictly, liberally, or has endeavored to maintain the happy mean between the two styles. The consequence has been that one of the main objects for which scoring is designed — to show the comparative ability of players throughout a season — has been largely defeated because all scorers have not acted in unison, forming .their opinions from some fixed, acknowledged standard. It is with a view of not only instructing the novice in the gen- eral principles of scoring, but of offering for the acceptance of the expert this long-needed standard, by which alone can the records be made uniformly of their highest value, that this work has been undertaken. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. GLOSSARY OF INITIALS USED BY SCORERS A. Assists made by player while fielding his position. A, B. Times player has beeh At Bat. B. B. Bases on Balls. Used in denoting number received by player while at bat, or to denote number allowed op- ponents by pitcher. B. H. Safe Hits made by player while at bat, including sin- gles, doubles, triples and home runs, each recorded as one B. H. Bk. Balks made by pitcher. E. Errors made by player while fielding his position. E. B. Extra Bases made on hits by player while at bat, com- puted as one for doubles, two for triples and three for home runs. E. I. G. Extra Inning Games pitched by pitcher. F. Number of games pitcher Finished as substitute for preceding pitcher. G. Games Played. H. Same as B. H. H. B. Number of batsmen Hit By Pitcher while pitching. H. B. O. Number of Hits By Opponents made ofif pitcher while pitching. H.R. Number of Home Runs made by player while batsman. I. P. Number of Innings Pitched by pitcher while officiating at pitcher's slab. L. Number of games Lost by pitcher, for which he has been charged. P. B. Passed Balls allowed by catcher while fielding his posi- tion. Pot Percentage. P. O. Put-Outs made by player while fielding his positioK. R. Runs Scored. R. O. Runs Scored On a pitcher during innings he has offi- ciated at pitcher's slab. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 6 S. B. Stolen Bases credited to base runner. S. F. Sacrifice Flies credited to player while batsman. S. H. Sacrifice Hits credited to player while batsman. S. O. Struck Out. Used in denoting either number of times player has been struck out while batsman, or to denote number of strike outs credited to pitcher while officiating at pitcher's slab. T. Number of games Tied, generally used in connection with pitchers' records. T. B. Number of Total Bases gained by player as batsman, found by adding bases gained on singles, doubles, triples and home runs. T. C. Total Chances offered player while fielding his position. T.'O. Games pitcher has partially pitched, from which he was Taken Out to allow the substitution of another pitcher. W. Number of games Won by pitcher, with which he has been credited. W. P- Wild Pitches charged against pitcher during innings he has officiated at pitcher's slab. 2B. Two-base Hits made by player while batsman. 3B> Three-base Hits made by player while batsman. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. THE ART OF SCORING As there are umpires and umpires, so there are scorers and scorers. As the work of each of these important officials con- nected with base ball games depends, to a large extent, upon the correctness of individual eyesight and the resultant individual deductions, it may be expected that some criticism will ensue from self-appointed umpires and scorers. The scorer, however, can congratulate himself upon having the easier task. The umpire must form his judgment in the twink- ling of an eye "all standing" and that judgment, for weal or woe, must be irrevocable. The scorer can allow himself more time to form his opinion but, once formed, it should be as irrevocable as the decision of the umpire. The umpire must maintain a clear head and composed de- meanor, knowing that he is at all times the instant target, verbally and physically, for players and spectators, should his decisions fail to please all concerned. The scorer is safely and comfortably seated at a point of vantage generally removed from both players and spectators, further hedged about by the comfortable feeling that what he is doing is neither known nor deemed of any par- ticular consequence at the time by either body of voluntary critics. The umpire who has the hardihood to attempt his duties with- out a complete mastery of the rules of base ball, only invites martyrdom. The scorer, either in ignorance or from lack of the proper spirit, all too often makes the same attempt and — more's the pity — comes out unscathed, to repeat the imposition at his convenience. The scorer is not "a necessary evil." His position is one of great importance and great honor. He should bring to it a sense of responsibility and the determination to perform his duties conscientiously and with painstaking care. Now what requisites are essential in order to be able to score a game correctly and creditably? The would-be scorer must thoroughly know the rules of base ball from Rule i to Section 17 of Rule 86. The would-be scorer must thoroughly comprehend the general principles upon which scoring is based. The would-be scorer must determine to know no player, to know no team while discharging his duties, but to perform his duties as impartially as though the SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 7 players were inanimate objects he had never before seen and he never expected to see again. All thought of fear or favor should be strictly eliminated from his mind. The would-be scorer should determine to concentrate his attention on the movements of the ball from the time of the original command to play ball until the last hand is out in the last inning. Eternal vigilance is one of the prices of efficient scoring. The would-be scorer should never allow himself to be put in the position of financially benefiting by the victory or defeat of either team, or by the record of any individual engaged in the game. Why should the scorer deem it necessary to be posted on all the rules of the game instead of on the scoring rules merely? Because he cannot expect either to fulfill, or even to compre- hend his duties fully unless he has that broad familiarity with all details spread before him. Indeed, there are times when the scorer will be manifestly at sea unless he has the knowledge that will explain movements or results which, without that knowledge, would make that portion of the score sheet either a blank or ridiculous. To illustrate : The scorer sees a runner advance a base, ap- parently with full knowledge of his opponents, but with no move to restrain him. Unless the scorer is cognizant of the fact that the slight illegal motion the pitcher has made is a balk and that the penalty for committing a balk is the advancement of every runner on bases, he will be at a loss to account for the base each runner has so gained. Again, the scorer may see a pop fly fall untouched to the ground and bound away so that runners on bases safely advance and the batsman reaches first base in apparent safety. He will not understand why the umpire waves the batsman back to the bench, even though he allows the runners to retain their advanced bases, unless he is aware of the technical infield fly and just what can and cannot be legally done by base runners under such, con- ditions. The scorer may find that two runners will endeavor to occupy one base at the same time and will note that the fielder, to "make assurance doubly sure" will invariably touch both runners. If the play happens to make the third out, causing sides to change im- mediately, how will he know which base runner is to be recorded as the third out, unless he is aware of the fact that the farther advanced runner was legally entitled to the base and that the. man who "came up from behind" was the one actually put out? SPALDING'S ATHMTIC LIBBABr. -— -^ii^xiU LIBRARY. The chief troubl. f '""""■ '^ ''^f' *° human afencv^^'''"'' ^^ "^^^-^7 uniform £ ^^^'^ *^^ ^^^ire popularfty he mnf.°" "'^"^'^ ''^se ball denend? «™,"' ^'^t^'^d ''v «'he„ he occunirtJ "^^<^"arily have his'^tet „° 'f^^'^ f"-- «= whose daii;iT4'tr;°";;' ir- "^ ™-r o^rg^i ""Xfa ^"' " ueams, he may be SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 9 expected to have his private likes or dislikes. But as soon as the game begins, he must lay them aside. He must bend neither for- ward, in the endeavor to favor the team with which his senti- ments are supposed to lie, or the player with whom he is more friendly, nor must he bend backward in endeavoring to prove that he is affected neither by expected proclivities nor by friend- ship. He must stand straight up before God and man, faithfully recording results as his eyes see them, his judgment dictates and his conscience approves. The scorer can vastly better afford to suspect that he may have an incorrect eye, or bad judgment, or both, than a bad conscience. In the last-named alternative he will soon realize that he has lost both his own self-respect and the respect he should claim from others. A bad eye or bad judg- ment, with undoubted honesty of purpose, will be condoned in the expectation that practice will make more perfect, but the scorer who will give the slightest ground for suspicion that he has perverted the records from motives of self-interest, friendship, or malice — whether studiously or merely from a careless general desire to be known as "a good fellow," puts himself "beyond the pale." Let the first, middle and last word of the scorer's plat- form be Honesty. The accuracy of the scorer depends upon his attention to the things it is his duty to record. This may seem a simple matter to carry out, but even the experienced scorer finds that it is not as easy as it may appear. Watch closely even the least intricate plays and record promptly. It seems almost ridiculous to assert that a scorer will occasionally imagine that the centre fielder, for instance, has made a fly catch when the actual fact is that the left fielder is entitled to the put out, yet such instances are not rare. The scorer is even more prone, at times, to credit the second baseman with the shortstop's chances, or to fail to note that some fielder has run far from his regular station, inveigling the care- less scorer into recording the play as having been made by the fielder whom he would naturally expect to be at or near the place where the ball was handled. Again, in hurried relayed throws, or in cases of a more or less lengthy run-down of a base runner between bases, both concen- trated attention and prompt action on the part of the scorer are essential. Once the play is over, unless the scorer has it either correctly photographed upon his brain or recorded temporarily or permanently, he is hopelessly at sea. His only recourse is to depend upon others for information — at once uncertain and humiliating, as an open announcement of the scorer's inefficiency. An excellent plan will be to jot down on the most convenient white surface, such plays as are complicated, at the moment each IC SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. fielder receives the ball, making sure that the proper player is recorded by keeping eyes intelligently fixed upon them, rather than upon the memorandum. The centre fielder, for instance,- may relay a long hit to the right fielder, who in turn throws to the pitcher, who tosses to the catcher, putting out the runner at the plate. Having noted the white surface while the centre fielder is "chasing" the hit, it re- quires no further glance at it to jot down as each player receives the ball 8-9-1-2. Even more necessary is such a plan when an extensive run- down occurs between bases. As many as five or six players may handle the ball and the only way to reduce danger of error of record to a minimum, is not to rely on memory, but to keep both eyes fastened on the flight of the ball, while the hand jots down the number of each player as the ball is received by him. After the play is completed, duplicates may be eliminated and the play put in proper shape for permanent record. But while it is essential for the scorer to keep his eyes on the ba.ll during play, there "are occasions when it is as essential for him to observe other things. At the beginning of each half-inning the scorer should glance at every fielder to be sure that no changes in either personnel or in position have been made, or, if such have been made, to properly harmonize his score book. As each batter takes his place at the plate, the scorer should satisfy himself that the proper man is "up" and that no substi- tute batter has been introduced. While the general rules of base ball provide that the umpire shall announce all such changes, the scorer should make it his unfailing rule to depend upon himself first — and others not at all, or at least when possible to avoid it. It should hardly be necessary to speak further upon the last rule laid down for the guidance of scorers — that they should not allow themselves under any circumstances to be put in the posi- tion of financially benefiting by the victory or defeat of either team. The great pride of base ball and the great hold it has upon the affections of the public are due in no small measure to the absolute honesty of the game and of those connected with it. The scorer — especially the ofiicial scorer — may be approached at times by parties especially interested in a certain player's record, dependent upon the number of hits he amasses. This approach may be boldly, in the nature of a bribe, or it may be in the more insidious form of a bet offered by a party supposed to be disin- terested — a bet offered with a view of losing and having the scorer's aid, if necessary, in making him lose. Advice to scorers placed in such a situation is to shun it all. No honest scorer can afford to be mixed up in such things. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. H THE SCORING RULES The general base ball code contains the following : THE SCORING RULES. To promote uniformity in scoring cham- RULE 84. pionship games the following instructions are given and suggestions and definitions made for the guidance of scorers, and they are required to make all scores in accordance therewith. The Batsman's Record. Section i. The first item in the tabu- RULE 85. lated score, after the player's name and position, shall be the number of times he has been at bat during the game, but the exceptions made in Rule 82 must not be included. Sec. 2. In the second column shall be set down the runs, if any, made by each player. Sec. 3. In the third column shall be placed the first base hits, if any, made by each player. The Scoring of Base Hits. Sec. 4. A base hit shall be scored in the following cases : When the ball from the bat strikes the ground on or within the foul lines and out of the reach of the fielders. When a fair-hit ball is partially or wholly stopped by a fielder in motion, but such player can not recover himself in time to field the ball to first before the striker reaches that base or to force out another base runner. When the ball be hit with such force to an infielder or pitcher that he can not handle it in time to put out the batsman or force out a base runner. In a case of doubt over this class of hits, a base hit should be scored and the fielder exempted from the charge of an error. When the ball is hit so slowly toward a fielder that he cannot handle it in time to put out the batsman or force out a base runner. In all cases where a base runner is retired by being hit by a batted ball, unless batted by himself, the batsman should be credited with a base hit. When a batted ball hits the person or clothing of the umpire, as defined in Rule 53, Section 6. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. In no case shall a base hit be scored when a base runner is forced out by the play. Sacrifice Hits. Sec. 5. Sacrifice hits shall be placed in the Summary. A sacrifice hit shall be credited to the batsman who when no one is out or when but one man is out, advances a runner a base by a bunt hit, which results in the batsman being put out before reaching first, or would so result if it were handled without error. A sacrifice hit shall also be credited to a batsman who, when no one is out or when but one man is out, hits a fly ball that is caught but results in a run being scored, or would in the judgment of the scorer so result if caught. Fielding Records. Sec. 6. The number of opponents, if any, put out by each player shall be set down in the fourth column. Where the batsman is given out by the umpire for a foul strike, or fails to bat in proper order, or is declared out on third bunt strike, the put-out shall be scored to the catcher. In cases of the base runner being declared "out" for interfer- ence, running out of line, or on an infield fly, the "out" should be credited to the player who would have made the play but for the action of the base runner or the an- nouncement of the umpire. Sec. 7. The number of times, if any, each player assists in putting out an opponent shall be set down in the fifth column. An assist should be given to each player who handles the ball in aiding in a run-out or any other play of the kind, even though he complete the play by making the put-out. An assist should be given to a player who makes a play in time to put a runner out, even if the player who could complete the play fail, through no fault of the assisting player. And generally an assist should be given to each player who handles or assists in any manner in handling the ball from the time it leaves the bat unti] it reaches the player who makes the put-out, or in case of a thrown ball, to each player who throws or handles it cleanly, and in such a way that a put-out results, or would result if no error were made by a team-mate. Assists should be credited to every player who handles the ball in the play which results in a base runner being called "out" for interference or for running out of line. A double play shall mean any two continuous put-outS SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 13 that take place between the time the ball leaves the pitcher's hands until it is returned to him again standing in the pitcher's box. Errors. Sec. 8. An error shall be given in the sixth column for each misplay which prolongs the time at bat of the batsman or allows a base runner to make one or more bases when perfect play would have insured his being put out. But a base on balls, a base awarded to a batsman by being struck by a pitched ball, a balk, a passed ball or wild pitch shall not be included in the sixth column. An error shall not be charged against the catcher for a . wild throw in an attempt to preve.it a stolen base, unless the base runner advance an extra base because of the error. An error shall not be scored against the catcher or an infielder who attempts to complete a double play, unless the throw be so wild that an additional base be gained. In case a base runner advance a base through the failure of a baseman to stop or try to stop a ball accurately thrown to his base the latter shall be charged with an error and not the player who made such throw, provided there was occasion for it. If such throw be made to second base the scorer shall determine whether the second baseman or shortstop shall be charged with an error. In event of a fielder dropping a fly but recovering the ball in time to force a runner at another base, he shall be exempted from an error, the play being scored as a "force- out." Stolen Bases. Sec. 9. A stolen base shall be credited to the base run- ner whenever he advances a base unaided by a base hit, a put-out, a fielding or a battery error, subject to the follow- ing exceptions : In event of a double or triple steal being attempted, where either runner is thrown out, the other or others shall not be credited with a stolen base. In event of a base runner being touched out after sliding over a base, he shall not be regarded as having stolen the base in question. In event of a base runner making his start to steal a base prior to a battery error, he shall be credited with a stolen base. In event of a palpable mufif of a ball thrown by the catcher, when the base runner is clearly blocked, the infielder making the mufif shall be charged with an error and the base runner shall not be credited with a stolen base. 14 SrALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. Definition of Wild Pitch and Passed Ball. Sec. 10. A wild pitch is a legally delivered ball, so high, low or wide of the plate that the catcher cannot or does not stop and control it with ordinary effort, and as a result the batsman, who becomes a base runner on such pitched ball, reaches first base or a base runner advances. A passed ball is a legally delivered ball that the catcher should hold or control with ordinary effort, but his failure to do so enables the batsman, who becomes a base runner on such pitched ball, to reach first base or a base runner to advance. The Summary. The Summary shall contain: RULE 86. Section i. The score made in each in- ning of the game and the total runs of each side in the game. Sec. 2. The number of stolen bases, if any, by each player. Sec. 3. The number of sacrifice hits, if any, made by each player. Sec. 4. The number of sacrifice flies, if any, made by each player. Sec. 5. The number of two-base hits, i-f any, made by each player. Sec. 6. The number of three-base hits, if any, made by each player. Sec. 7. The number of home runs, if any, made by each player. Sec. 8. The number of double and triple plays, if any, made by each club and the players participating in same. Sec. 9. The number of innings each pitcher pitched in. Sec. 10. The number of base hits, if any, made off each pitcher and the number legal at bats scored against each pitcher. Sec. II. The number of times, if any, the pitcher strikes out the opposing batsmen. Sec. 12. The number of times, if any, the pitcher gives bases on balls. Sec. 13. The number of wild pitches, if any, charged against the pitcher. Sec. 14. The number of times, if any, the pitcher hits a batsman with a pitched ball, the name or names of the batsman or batsmen so hit to be given. Sec. 15. The number of passed balls by each catcher. Sec. 16. The time of the game. Sec. 17. The name of the umpire or umpires. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 15 BASE-HIT vs. ERROR Perhaps the most intricate thing the scorer will be required to do is to determine whether, when the batsman hits a fair ball, he should be credited with a base-hit or the fielder who fails to put out the batsman should be charged with an error. Certain it is that this feature of scoring calls for all the intelligent judg- ment, the experience and the impartiality the scorer can bring to bear, for this is the question of all scoring. Let what has already been said in this connection be reiterated, for it cannot be held in too great importance : Know no man, no team. Judge the facts at your disposal and, having decided con- scientiously, stick to that decision though the heavens fall. Only one base ball criminal can be put in the same category with the umpire who allows himself either to be bullied or wheedled into changing a decision once given — ^the scorer who follows the ex- ample. There may come times when the scorer later half or perhaps wholly believes that he is wrong, but the knowledge that what he has done is irrevocable will lead the conscientious scorer to a greater determination to be right in the first place. If he ever allows himself to feel that a wrong can be undone by a stroke of the pen, he will insensibly allow himself to make his original entries carelessly and, more than likely, get in the habit ultimately of depending upon a revision dictated by the players or club officials most interested. What is the proper distinction between the base-hit and the error? Generally speaking, the base-hit is the result of the "batsman, either voluntarily or involuntarily, hitting the ball to such portion of fair territory that it cannot be caught on the fly and he is enabled to reach first base before the ball is fielded there or before any runner already on a base when the ball is hit, can be forced out at an advanced base. * As generally speaking, an error is made when the batsman is allowed to reach first base, or a runner already on a base when the ball was hit is allowed to reach an advanced base by reason of a mechanical failure on the part of any fielder who might reasonably have been expected to make or assist in making an out on the ball hit by the batsman. There are other base-hits and other errors, but of them a later discussion will be in order. For the present only base-hits and 16 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRAEY. errors arising from the batsman hitting the ball will be con- sidered. In endeavoring to fairly and intelligently discriminate between the base-hit and the error, never for an instant be influenced by that favorite fallacy of the ignorant, that if a fielder "gets his hands on" the ball, he should be given an error and the batter deprived of a base-hit he may have reasonably earned. No greater mistake could be made than in allovv^ing this false doctrine to influence results. Watch the ball from the moment it leaves the bat and be governed by common sense, impartially applied. If the ball proceeds along the ground in fair territory and re- mains fair under the rules, with no fielder getting near enough to it to handle it before the batsman reaches first, no question arises that it is a safe hit. So far, so good; but suppose the ball travels so close to some infielder that he makes a dive for it, reaching it with his hand, but only with the result of slowing or stopping the progress of the ball, without allowing even the chance of a throw to make the put-out. Credit the batsman with a base hit. The reason for this line of action is plain. All concerned in base ball should aid in every legitimate way the tendency to brilliant fielding. The moment a fielder becomes convinced that the scorer in whose keeping his record lies is adding permanent handicap to brilliant play, just so soon will he decline to take chances other than those he believes he is sure of handling. He will look after the hit driven directly in his way, but he will make no effort to accomplish the near-impossible. The effect of any such determination upon the part of the fielder on the game will be immediately apparent. The phenomenal bits of fielding that set the blood of spectators tingling, become dead letters and the final issue of many a game will either be reversed or so warped as to make it unrecognizable from the result obtained from fielding unhampered by such scoring injustice. The same rule applies to outfielders to whom flies are sent. If an outfielder drops a ball for which he has had ample time to "set himself," charge him with an error. But if he has had a long run and has barely managed to reach the ball, even should he get it wholly within his hands and yet drop it, give the batter credit for a base-hit. But the application of common sense principles should not be limited to balls hit just out of easy fielding distance of in or out- fielders. The ball may travel at a moderate rate of speed directly at an inlielder planted to receive it, when it may' suddenly strike a pebble or som.e inequality of the turf and be deflected so that no human eye nor pair of hands could make the requisite changes quickly enough to insure perfect handling. Give the batsman a SrAIvDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 17 base-hit. It is a "lucky" hit, but there is no reason why he should be deprived of the advantage or the fielder penalized for an incident beyond human control. Another -variety of doubtful hits that often cause scorers trouble, is the slow hit ball, resulting from either the bunt or the scratch. Until a few years ago, when defensive work against the bunt reached such a degree of excellence as to cause a decided shrinkage in the number of bunts attempted, good scorers of the liberal school rightly made practically every bunt a base-hit when the batter reached first, despite fumbles or bad throws. They took this course because the bunt and the scratch are the kind of hits that invariably call for more than the ordinary fielding skill. That the same scorers are less liberal in allowing base-hits at the present time on exactly the same kind of chances is not because they are any less hard to handle now than then, but rather because long study and practice of the defensive have caused a higher standard to be reasonably expected on the part of the fielders. It can still be laid down as a general rule, however, that the fielder is entitled to a greater leniency on bunts and on slow scratches than on almost any other kind of quasi-hit It is safe to credit the batsman with a base-hit on every bunt or scratch on which he reaches first base and an advanced runner is not put out (except a palpable fielder's choice) even though a fumble or a poor throw is made by the fielder handling the ball, unless the ball is rolled directly at the fielder in such a way as to make a failure to handle it palpably poor play upon the part of the fielder. Take into consideration the speed with which the fielder must recognize the character of the chance and must advance to meet the ball, and the necessity on his part for exceptionally speedy mechanical work with a ball that is likely spinning, twisting and jumping in all sorts of inconceivable ways and the reason for taking the liberal stand advised becomes apparent. Scorers should adopt this general rule in distinguishing between all base-hits and errors : "VVhen a fair batted ball might reason- ably be expected to result in an out and does not so result because of imperfect play, charge the fielder to whom the imperfect han- dling can be attributed with an error. But should a fair ball be hit in such a way as to cause manifestly phenomenal work necessary on the part of the fielder in order to make or assist in making an out, even though he may touch the ball or make a poor throw, give the batsman a base-hit. As important as the foregoing is the advice to scorers to give the batsman the benefit of any legitimate doubt arising. Score him a base-hit in preference to charging the fielder an error. The fielder should not be penalized for not doing what he should not justly be expected to do. If he knows that he will be, 18 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. he will soon learn to not even make the try that will place his record — his chief stock in trade — in jeopardy. Free of fear of unjust penalty in case he tries and does not succeed, he will take every chance to make phenomenal play, amply repaid when he manages to pull it off successfully, by the plaudits of the spec- tators. But there are other base-hits and other errors besides those originating as heretofore described. If, for instance, a batted fair ball hits any base runner, the ball becomes dead, the base runner is automatically declared out and the batter is entitled to first base unless the runner hit makes the third out. And the bats- man is always entitled to a 'technical base-hit unless he is hit by his own batted ball. So also, if the batted ball hits the person or clothing of an umpire upon fair ground, the batter is allowed to take first base and is also credited with a base-hit. In the matter of errors, up to this point only such as might arise from batted balls have been considered. It must be remem- bered that the scorer's duty is to account for every base each player of the side at bat advances and there are only two ways of accounting — by a credit for successful aggressive work or by charge for unsuccessful defensive work. But not alone do errors arise from the failure of in or out- fielders to catch batted flies or to stop perfectly rolling ground hits. In fielding ground balls it is generally necessary for in- fielders and sometimes for outfielders to complete their work by making a perfect throw and for the receiving fielder to make a perfect catch. Should a base be gained by a batter or by a base runner because of failure to throw perfectly, or failure to catch the throw perfectly, charge an error against the player at fault. Great care should be taken in detecting which of two or more fielders engaged in a play of this kind is at fault. Nothing is so aggravating to a fielder as the knowledge that he has been saddled with another player's sins. If an infielder stops and grasps a batted ball perfectly and has a reasonable amount of time in which to make his throw to catch a runner, but throws ^oo low, or too high, or so far to either side as to cause the receiving fielder to miss the play, charge the player who threw the ball an error. If, however, the throw is considered sufficiently perfect for the receiving fielder to have handled the ball in such a way as to have made the out, charge the player to whom the ball is thrown an error. Eternal vigilance is necessary on the part of the scorer if he is to determine accurately which fielder is to blame. He must be sure that he has made no mistake and he cannot be sure unless he has every move of the play indelibly photographed upon his mind. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 19 Outfielders are more exempt from errors of this sort than the inner ranks, but it is not unsual for them to come under the ban. It frequently happens that an outfielder, after making a fly catch or stopping a ground ball, is required to throw to the plate, or to one of the bases in order to prevent a runner or runners from advancing farther than could be legitimately expected. In this connection it may be remarked that a runner is fre- quently expected to advance a base on "the throw-in" — a fact which scorers should recognize in order not to confuse the base so acquired with the base-hit or the error. Let us suppose, for instance, that with a runner on second, the batter makes a clean hit to an outfielder. Should the outfielder throw to the plate to prevent the runner on second from proceeding farther than third, it is likely that the batsman will continue to second base. The scorer must not confuse Ihis. state of affairs with a two-base hit. The batsman i^ probably entitled to a single only and he is considered as having reached second "on the throw-in." Returning to the liability of the outfielder to error under such conditions, should his throw be stopped and held by the catcher, or by any other fielder to whom the throw has been made, well and good. But should the throw bound over the receiving fielder's head or prove too wide or too imperfect from any stand- point for the receiving fielder to be reasonably supposed to stop the ball, allowing any of the runners on bases to take one or more additional bases, the outfielder must be charged with an error. In- deed, the tendency is to give the receiving fielder the benefit of any doubt that may be felt, for the reason possibly that there is vastly more occasion for the infielders, catcher and pitcher to make errors than for any outfielder and that when the oppor- tunity presents, the inner ranks should receive the leniency. The general rule may be followed that one 'base may be allowed a runner on a throw-in if the indications are that he has advanced with the idea of utilizing the chance offered by the throw-in, but any extra base should be charged as an error against the out- fielder unless the receiver of the throw-in was palpably at fault. A type of error that has been giving the inexperienced scorer trouble of late years is that charged against the catcher or other fielder who perchance drops a foul fly he might reasonably be supposed to have caught. If the foul was dropped after a hard run, or there is any doubt about the reasonableness of expecting the catch, disregard the incident. It is not an error then or at any time thereafter. If the ball should have been caught, recog- nize the fact that the catcher or other player who failed to make the catch must be charged with an error at once. The reason for the too widespread misunderstanding on the subject is found in the fact that until 1904 no error was charged 20 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. under such conditions unless the batsman eventually reached first base. But beginning with the year mentioned, whether the bats- man reached first or did not, has had nothing to do with charging the error. Remember then, that any foul fly that should be caught and is not, compels an error charged against the offending fielder. The rule previous to 1904 read as follows : An error shall be given * * * for each misplay which allows a striker or base runner to make one or more bases when perfect play would have insured his being put out, etc. With such instructions, it can readily be seen that no error could be charged for a dropped foul unless the batter eventually reached first base, for had he not reached first base, the original failure to put him out cost nothing, while the fact that he did reach first base eventually was alone considered a palpable some- thing due to the further opportunity allowed by the failure to make the out offered by the foul fly. But in 1904 the rule was changed to read as follows : An error shall be given * * * for each misplay which prolongs the time at bat of the batsman or allows a base runner to make one or more bases when perfect play would have insured his being put out. Note the difference made by the words "prolongs the time at bat of the batsman." Failure to catch a foul fly that should be caught, undoubtedly "prolongs the time of the batsman at bat" and the error follows instanter. As important is the knowledge when not to charge errors. The wild pitch and the passed ball are not classed with the ordinary error. They are errors none the less, as are also the base on balls, the hit-by-pitcher and the balk, but all of these are regarded as "battery errors" and have no place with the ordinary fielding error. They each have a place of their own, which will be dis- cussed elsewhere. Neither are errors of omission taken into cognizance except in certain specific instances. The error charged in black and white is supposed to indicate only a mechanical failure of palpable at- tempts that should have been successful. The most familiar type of errors of omission is found in the misjudgment of flies by out- fielders, occasionally by infielders also and the misunderstandings arising over who shall take a fly ball among in or outfielders, resulting in the ball dropping uncaught between the fielders in- volved. In all such cases it is customary to give the batsman a base-hit — for as many bases as he safely makes on that particular hit. The same rule applies on infield hits — usually bunts or scratches — when two or more infielders get mixed as to which shall field the ball, with the result that it is not fielded at all or. if fielded, it is found that no fielder is at first base to whom the SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 21 ball may be thrown to make the out. In all such cases also, credit the batsman with a base-hit. The exception that recognizes an error of omission and pro- vides the penalty of an error, is in the case of a fielder throwing to base in perfect form, but the advance of a base runner is not checked because of failure of the proper fielder to cover his position — provided there was occasion to make the throw. In such cases the error is charged against the fielder who .should have been in position to receive the throw and was not. In case the throw is directed toward second base, it is the scorer's duty to determine whether the shortstop or the second baseman should have been on hand to receive the ball and the error shall be charged against the one of the two he decrees. No error shall be charged against the catcher who fails to pre- vent a runner from stealing any base, even though the throw may not prove perfect, unless the runner is enabled by reason of the poor throw to advance beyond the base he stole. The reason for this prohibition is that all such throws are made with great rapidity, allowing practically no time for steadying the eye or the hand. If the catchers were to fear the additional handicap of an error charged for every failure to make an absolutely perfect throw, they would soon cease to take many a chance which now results in their faj/or. The same reason may be advanced for the prohibition against charging an error to the account of a fielder who fails to com- plete a double play by reason of an imperfect throw, unless an additional base or more is the result of the throw. Plays of this kind must necessarily be attempted with great rapidity, which offers sufficient handicap. Just one other prohibition must be taken into consideration. A fielder — in or out — may drop a fly ball, or an infielder may fumble a ground ball in such a manner as to compel the charge of an error were that play alone to be taken into consideration. But if circumstances admit of the offender's recovery of the ball in time to force out or assist in the force out of some other runner, no error shall be charged for the original ofTense. The scorer must recognize that it is possible for both a safe hit and an error to result on the same play. The batter may reach first on a hit that should be credited to him as a safe hit, but the infielder who handles the ball may elect to take a forlorn hope and throw in the endeavor to put him out. Should the throw go wild, allowing the runner to advance one or more additional bases, a safe hit and an error is the proper scoring method. The hit may go to the outfield and the outfielder handling the ball may fumble, he may let the ball "go through him," or may make a bad throw-in. Credit a safe hit to the batsman for as many bases as 22 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. he would have made on the hit had it been handled perfectly and charge the offending outfielder an error for the additional bases the batsman gains. The only other thing necessary to call to the scorer's attention in this connection is the proper differentiation between the throw-in as directed at the batter and as directed at a runner farther ad- vanced, in determining the length of the batsman's safe hit. The batsman hits to the outfield and reaches first base, going on to second because the outfielder throws the ball to the plate, or to third in the effort to put out an advanced runner. The batter is entitled in such instances to a single only, taking second on the throw-in. If, however, he continues to second despite the throw-in of the outfielder to second in the vain endeavor to head him off, or before the outfielder could get the ball there should he elect to throw elsewhere, credit the batsman with a two-base hit. If he reaches third before the ball could be returned to head him off there, the credit must be for a three-base hit, etc. If the batsman should be fielded out at some advanced base he is endeavoring to make on his hit, care should be taken to give him credit for the full number of bases he made safely on his hit. For instance, if he gets put out at second endeavoring to stretch a single into a double, he must be credited with a single. If he reaches second but gets put out trying to make third, give him credit for a double, etc. The play at the base should be care- fully watched, for crediting base-hits differs in this feature from crediting stolen bases. If the runner reaches the bag before being touched and is put out on the far side of the bag through failure to "anchor," he should get full credit for the number of that base and not for the number of the base behind, as is the case when he is put out before he touches the advanced base. One modification of this rule must be remembered, however. Should a tie game be brought to a close by a hit, that hit can be no longer, technically, than is needed to score the winning run. For instance: Suppose the score-is 3 to 3 in the last half of the last inning, with a runner on third base. The batter may hit the ball over the fence for what under ordinary circumstances would have been a home run. The scorer, however, can credit him with only a single, for a single is all that is necessary to score the runner with the run that wins from third base. The game ends the moment, that runner crosses the plate and the batter is technically "left" on first base. Had the winning runner been on second base when the hit was made, the batsman would have received credit for a two- bagger. With the runner on first, a three-bagger is credited to the batsman. Only in case no runner precedes him and he is compelled to make the circuit himself to score the winning run can the batsman get credit for a home run. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 23 The principles laid down in the foregoing may be briefly summed up as follows : CONCERNING BASE HITS. Credit a base-hit to the batsman in every case when the fielder cannot from any cause be reasonably expected to field the fair batted ball in such a manner as to put out the batter or to force out a preceding runner. The size of the base-hit credited should be the number of the bag last touched by the runner before being put out, except when the hit drives in the run that ends the game, in which case the size of the hit should be the number of bases gained by the runner scoring the winning run. Credit a base-hit to the batsman whose fair batted ball hits either a previous base runner or an umpire. Credit a batter a base-hit when a fielder cr fielders fail to make . ~ expected put-out on a fair batted ball because of mental mis- judgment instead of mechanical. Do not credit a base-hit on any fair batted ball upon which the batsman reaches first base if a previous runner has been forced out by the hit. CONCERNING ERRORS. Charge the fielder an error wtho does not make a put out he should reasonably be expected to have made, whether his failure is due to not handling perfectly the fair batted ball or, after handling properly, he does not make a proper throw. Charge the fielder an error who fails to perfectly receive a throw that he might reasonably be supposed to have taken and which, had he taken, would have resulted in a put-out. Charge the fielder an error who, either by failure to perfectly throw or to receive any perfectly thrown ball, allows one or more runners to gain one or more bases. Charge the catcher or other fielder an error immediately upon his failure to catch and hold any foul fly he might reasonably have been expected to catch and to hold. • Do not charge the player an error who makes a perfect throw to a base for the purpose of heading ofl^ an advancing runner, if no one is at the base to receive the throw. Charge the error against the fielder whose duty it was to be in position to receive the throw. In case the throw is to second base, the scorer must determine whether to penalize the shortstop or the second base- man. Do not charge an error against the pitcher who makes a wild pitch, gives a base on balls, makes a balk or hits an opposing batsman or against the catcher who has a passed ball. These are 24 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. battery errors and each has its definite, specified place in the tabu- lated score, I>o not charge an error against a catcher for making a poor throw to a base in the endeavor to prevent a base runner from stealing, unless the base runner is enabled by reason of the poor throw to advance one or more additional bases. Do not charge an error against any fielder who, by reason of an imperfect throw fails to complete a double play, unless one or more runners are enabled by reason of that imperfect throw, to advance one or more additional bases. Do not charge an error against a fielder, even though imperfect handling of the ball allows the batsman to reach first safely, if the fielder forces out or assists in forcing out a runner farther ad- vanced. PROBLEMS. (Answers to these problems will be found in the appendix.) (i) Fly to left, with first and third occupied. Runner starts with catch. Left fielder throws to short, who relays home. Throw strikes ground four feet in front of and three feet to left of plate, bounding over catcher's head. Runner would probably have scored in any event, but runner from first goes on to third. (2) With runner on first, batsman bunts, beating throw to first. (3) Runner on first. Batter bunts and is thrown out at first by third baseman. Runner on first has advanced to second and, noting that third base is uncovered, keeps on to third. Third baseman and shortstop both endeavor to reach perfect throw to base made by first baseman, but both fail. Had throw been taken, runner would probably have been put out, (4) Line drive passes over infielder's head, so that by jumping he man- ages to take off some of the ball's speed with the tips of his fingers. Batter reaches first. (5) Ground ball batted directly at infielder, who allows it to pass between his feet without touching it, as he fails to stoop low enough. (6) Batter hits line drive to outfielder, who misjudges at first, but man- ages by hard run, to get close enough to reach out with gloved hand. Ball hits squarely, but drops. (7) Batter bunts with runner on first. Catcher fields ball and made motion to throw to second. Does not do so, as he believes runner has beaten any throw that could be made. Catcher turns to throw to first, but for no apparent reason does not, though throw would probably have beaten batsman. All hands are safe. (8) Batsman makes clean hit to centre, but is put out at second base by centre fielder's throw to second baseman. (9) Ball thrown by infielder hits ground in front of first baseman and bounds perfectly, but first baseman fails to stop it. (10) Batsman hits high fly in front of plate. Catcher misjudges and ball drops about four feet in front of him, batter reaching first safely. (11) Very hard hit ball strikes shins of first baseman and bounds away, batter reaching first safely. (12) Batsman lays bunt along first base line. Pitcher and catcher collide in trying to field and batsman reaches first safely. (13) Moderately swift ball batted a little to right of shortstop, who makes no effort to stop ball. Could have been fielded, apparently, had the effort been made. (14) Pop fly to second baseman results in collision between shortstop and second baseman, causing second baseman to drop ball after having it in his hands. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 25 (15) In a run-down between second and third, runner is apparently about to be touched out when fielder holding ball drops it. (16) Foul fly hit to catcher, who, though "set" to take the ball, lets it fall through his hands. Batter strikes out on next delivery. (17) Batsman reaches second base on the fourth ball, which is a wild pitch. (18) Scratch hit rolls slowly between pitcher and second baseman. Second baseman runs in and endeavors to scoop up ball with one hand, but only succeeds in fumbling. Batsman reaches first safely. (19) Batted ball hit directly at shortstop takes unexpected bound to left, just as shortstop is about to grasp it. Ball is merely knocked down and batsman reaches first safely. (20) Long fly to outfielder causes outfielder to reach ball with one hand after hard run, but he fails to hold it. (21) Fair batted ball is hit so sharply to right field that right fielder is enabled to throw to shortstop to force runner who had been on first, bats- man reaching first base safely. (22) Fly to left fielder is dropped, but left fielder recovers ball in time to throw to third baseman, forcing runner coming up from second. (23) Fly to outfielder goes clear over outfielder's head, though he could easily have got under ball had he not stood still. (24) ^core tied last half of ninth, runner on second base. Batsman makes clean drive into fair bleachers and completes circuit. What is length of his bit? (25) Batted ball hits person of runner between second and third, making third out. (26) Umpire is hit on foot by batted ball before it touches any fielder. Shortstop picks up ball and retires batsman at first. (27) Fumble by short allowing batsman to reach first base. Runner on second advances to third and is caught by shortstop's throw to third base- man, (a) Before he reaches base, (b) After over-running base. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. SACRIFICE HITS AND FLIES The amateur scorer frequently has difficulty in determining what is and what is not a sacrifice hit or a sacrifice fly. But such difficulty can only arise from his insufficient knowledge or under- standing of the underlying principles. The chief thing to be remembered is that nothing but a bunt that advances a runner already on a base can possibly be a sacrifice hit, though all bunts are not necessarily sacrifice hits. And only a fly ball caught, or that should have been caught and was not caught because of error upon the part of the fielder, upon which fly-out or error a runner scores from third base, can be a sacrifice fly. The code definition of a sacrifice hit limits it to a buntj made when no one is out or when one is out and which advances a runner a base even though the batsman himself is put oat at first base, or would be put out if the ball were handled with- out error. The code definition of a sacrifice fly limits it to a fly, made when no one is out or when one is out and which, if caught, results in a run being scored or, in case of an error, would, in the judgment of the scorer, have so resulted had the ball been caught. The amateur scorer often seeks incorrectly to give a batter credit for a sacrifice hit whenever he hits the ball in any fashion — bunt, full-swing or scratch — and is retired at first but advances a runner. Unconsciously, perhaps, he is reverting to the rules of two decades ago. In 1890 the sacrifice was first defined as any "ground hit or fly which, when but one man was out, advanced a runner a base, though it resulted in putting out the batsman, or would have so resulted if handled without error." This held until 1894, when the kind of hit entitling the bats- man to credit for a sacrifice was limited to a bunt. Then, too, for the first time, was the batsman relieved of the charge of a time at bat when he made a sacrifice hit. The regulations devised then have come down practically unchanged to the present day, with the addition, in 1908, of the sacrifice fly. The rnain thing, therefore, for the scorer to remember is that the sacrifice hit must be a bunt and that it must advance a run- ner without the aid of an error. The batter may or may not be retired at first base — that makes not a particle of difference ex- cept from the standpoint of whether the batter may not be rightly entitled to a safe hit instead of a sacrifice. But no scratch SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 27 hit, nor any hit resulting from a full swing from the shoulder, can be credited as a sacrifice hit, no matter how may runners may be advanced. The point lies in the deliberate, plainly apparent effort of the batsman to bunt. The reason for this is that only in the bunt does a batter possibly invite a put-out of himself. In all cases where he swings hard at the ball, he is evidently trying to hit the ball out and if he fails, he has no right to claim the exemption of a time at bat, fixed as the reward of the batter who is willing to sacrifice his own batting record for the sake of aiding in scor- ing a run. Some scorers also have the mistaken idea that no sacrifice hit or fly can be credited unless the batsman is actually put out. A little reflection shows the fallacy of the idea, not even taking into consideration the positive command contained in the rules. Why penalize the batsman who has done well his part, because of the error of his opponents? The discrimination is necessary, however, at the advancing runner's end. If that runner would have been put out at the ad- vanced base but for the error of the opposing fielder, the batsman should not be credited with a sacrifice hit, for he has not fairly earned it. Remember that the law directs that the sacrifice is earned only when the bunt advances a previous runner and that the words : "or would so result if it were handled without error" refers to the batsman reaching first base only and not to the run- ner reaching his advanced base. Scorers must be thoroughly conversant with these fine dis- tinctions and carefully watch every play that savors of the sacri- fice. For players who fail to get credit in the score for sacrifice hits made, or who are charged a time at bat upon a sacrifice hit or fly, are apt to show some annoyance. PROBLEMS (28) On hit-and-run signal batsman bunts, advancing runner from first to second and beating throw to catch him at first. (29) (a) Runners on third and first when batsman hits long fly to right fielder, who makes fly catch. Runner holds third until catch is made, then scores. (b) In similar case, right fielder allows ball to drop through his hands. (30) Runners on second and first when batsman bunts to pitcher. Throw to third baseman retires runner advancing from second to third, but runner advances from first to second and batsman is safe at first. (31) On hit-and-run signal batsman hits ball hard to third baseman and is thrown out at first, runner who had been on first advancing to second. (32) Runner on second when batsman bunts toward third base. Pitcher fields ball and turns to throw to third, but determines that it is too late to catch runner coming up from second. Turning to throw to first, he finds that it is too late then to catch batsman. (33) With runner on second batsman hits fly to right field. Runner advances legally to third on the fly-out. 2g SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. (34) Runner on third, batter hits fly to centre field. Runner is thrown out at plate trying to score. , . , . (35) Runner on third and, on squeeze-play signal, batsman bunts to pitcher and is thrown out at first, runner scoring. (36) (a) Runner on first when batsman bunts to pitcher. Pitcher throws to shortstop, which forces runner at second. (b) Shortstop drops throw and runner is safe. (37) Runners on first and second when batsman bunts to first baseman. First baseman deems it too late to catch either runner and batsman has crossed the bag before his throw reaches second baseman, who has covered first. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. FIELDER'S CHOICE AND FORCE HIT To most amateur scorers the Fielder's Choice is a vague some- thing, the mysteries of which they are unable to fathom, while the Force Hit is often confused with the Force. Neither feature should present great difficulties. The Fielder's Choice is only vague because it is a sort of un- written feature of scoring. Indeed, it may rightly be classed as the nearest thing to nonentity included in the general scheme of scoring. The scorer should aim to correctly gauge the meaning of the term — that done, its application will be a very simple proposition. A Fielder's Choice is any occasion upon which a fielder has the choice of two or more plays, either of which should afford a reasonable chance of putting an opponent out. Whether the put- out the fielder elects to make actually results or not, has no effect upon the character of the play. It remains a Fielder's Choice. In practical scoring a Fielder's Choice is entirely disregarded as a matter of record, except when it becomes necessary to indicate how a batter reached first base unaided by a base-hit, a force, an error or a pass. The Fielder's Choice almost invariably arises from the laudable desire on the part of the fielder to put out a runner farther ad- vanced on the base circuit, even though that chance is recognized as more difficult than the natural one of retiring the batter at first base. The Fielder's Choice and the Force Hit are closely allied be- cause a Force Hit is always a Fielder's Choice. In other words, where a Fielder's Choice is successful, a Force Hit results and the batter is recorded as having reached first on the Force Hit. When the Fielder's Choice fails, there is necessarily no put-out and the batter must be designated as having reached first on the Fielder's Choice. The difference between the Force Hit and the Force, should be clearly understood. The Force Hit embraces all cases where the attempt of a batsman results in the put-out of a base runner on any base at the time the batsman hit the ball. The Force is limited to such put-outs as result from the enforced attempt of a base runner to advance. To illustrate : A runner may be on second base when the bats- man hits to the shortstop. A shortstop may have an easy chance 30 SPAiDINQ'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. to retire the batsman by the throw to first, but he elects rather the chance to retire the runner who had been on second and is now trying to either reach third or to regain second in safety. The act of the shortstop is a Fielder's Choice. Should his en- deavor to put out the runner who was on second prove success- ful, the batsman is recorded as reaching first on a Force Hit. Should the shortstop's effort prove unsuccessful, the batsman is recorded as having reached first on a Fielder's Choice. The scorer should be alert in such cases to note whether the batter would surely have been out, with perfect play, had the effort been directed at him. If it is evident that he would have reached first before the ball, or if even reasonable doubt exists, the play ceases to be a Fielder's Choice and, if the runner who had been on second advances or remains safe on second with perfect play directed at him, the batsman must be credited with a safe hit. Again, let us suppose the runner is on first base when the bats- man hits to the shortstop. The shortstop, disregarding the ap- parently easy play on the batsman, elects to throw to the second baseman to put out the runner going down from first. This also is a Fielder's Choice and it is a Force Hit if successful. But it is even more — a Force, because the runner who had been on first was compelled to make the attempt to reach second base. If the runner is fortunate enough to reach second, even despite perfect play, the batsman is regarded as having reached first on the Fielder's Choice, provided, of course, it is evident that he would have been put out at first had the play been directed at him. The Fielder's Choice and the Force Hit may arise from any kind of effort made by the batsman — a hard swing, a bunt, a scratch, or even a fly. The manner in which the batsman en- deavors to hit the ball has nothing to do with the case. The one principle upon which the Fielder's Choice centers is the election, or choice of the fielder to endeavor to put out a runner farther advanced, when it is apparent that the easier chance would have been to put out the batsman at first base. Nor has the Fielder's Choice any bearing whatever upon whether the batsman shall be charged with a time at bat. He may, or may not be, governed entirely by the ordinary rules that apply to that feature. The scorer must also bear in mind that a Force can only originate from a fair batted ball not caught on the fly. Nothing but such fair batted ball and all bases behind occupied can com- pel or force a runner to relinquish his hold upon a base. If a runner on a base behind advances under any other circumstances, either through ignorance or carelessness, the runner occupying the advanced base is not compelled to vacate that base. In case SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 8, two runners endeavor to occupy the same base at the same time, the one farther advanced is the one legally entitled to the base. PROBLEMS. (38) Batter hits sharply to second baseman, who is "playing in," as runner is on third base. Second baseman has easy chance to retire bats- man, but throws to catcher, runner sliding safely under. •(39) Batsman bunts to first baseman, who throws to shortstop, putting out runner who had been on first base. (40) Batsman scratches to pitcher, who throws to third baseman, putting out runner coming up from second, first base having been unoccupied' when batsman hit ball. (41) Batsman pops up fly to shortstop with first base alone occupied. Shortstop drops ball, but recovers it and touches second before runner on first can reach bag. (42) Batsman hits sharply to shortstop, who touches runner going up to third (first base is unoccupied) and throws to first too late to retire batsman. (43) Batsman hits fly to left fielder, who drops ball, but throws to third in time to retire runner going up from second. (44) Man on second when batsman attempts to sacrifice by bunting toward third base. Pitcher fields ball but, turning to third, he finds no one covering. Turning next to first, he finds that the batsman has beaten any throw he could make. (45) Runner on third when batsman hits sharp grounder to pitcher on line between home plate and first base. Pitcher turns to throw to catcher, believing runner on third would endeavor to score, but finds that runner remains at third. Turning to first, he finds batsman safe there. (46) With bases filled, batsman bunts to second baseman. Force at ".econd or put-out at first very easy, but second baseman throws home to :ut off run. Throw to first is too slow and run scores, all others safe also. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBEABY. PUT-OUTS AND ASSISTS Crediting the put-outs and assists to which the fielders are entitled will keep the scorer pretty well occupied during the game. One of the simplest duties apparently, the scorer will find that it is easy to go astray unless the watchword "vigilance" is nailed to the mast. In the natural order of sequence, the assists develop first. An assist must be credited to a fielder who touches the ball during a play that finally results in a put-out, or would so result had the ball been perfectly handled to the end of the play. Attention is called to the use of the word "touches" instead of the word "handles," which appears in the regular code. The accepted definition of the word "handles" in this case has come, by long usage, to be "touches" or "whom the ball touches." Were this not the case, the fielder who is even involuntarily hit, or brushed, or merely touched by the ball would not be given an assist, as has been the custom for many years, should the ball continue to some other fielder's hands and result in the putting out of the batsman or of a base runner. This is a feature that must not be overlooked by the scorer. To get an assist on a play that results in a put-out or would so result unless error prevented, the fielder does not necessarily have to handle the ball. If he touches the ball, or if the ball touches any part of his anatomy, either voluntarily or involun- tarily, he is entitled to an assist. A ball, hard driven from the bat, caroms off of the pitcher's shin before he can either side-step or raise a protecting hand. If the ball is deflected to the second baseman, for instance, who throws to first in time to make the put-out, or even should the second baseman make an imperfect throw, thus allowing the batsman to reach first base safely, the pitcher must be credited with an assist. Indeed, it is possible, though hardly probable, that a fielder may receive an assist on a fly-out. A fly ball may descend upon a fielder, either into his hands or upon some part of his body and bound off. If some other fielder is near enough to catch the ball before it falls to the ground an assist would have to be given to the first fielder, while the second gets credit for the put-out of a technical fly ball. It is of importance, then, for the scorer to keep' in mind that even the involuntary touch of the ball entitles the fielder to an assist if the play is completed. It is also of the highest importance for the scorer to remem- ber that the play does not have to be successfully completed to SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 33 earn an assist. Naturally, the put-out can only be credited when the batsman or a base runner is put out, but the assists may be numerous with never a put-out on the card. Fully equal in importance is close attention on the part of the scorer, in order that he may be sure he notes every fielder who is entitled to fielding credit as the plays develop during the game. A put-out should be credited to every fielder who completes a play and sometimes even when he does not complete it, for the reason that the base runner is out automatically under the rules. The tendency is to eliminate the foot-note from the box score. Formerly it was the custom to give no credit for a put-out unless the put-out was actually made by the player to whom credit was given, explaining the shortage in the total number of put-outs required by a note at the bottom of the score. Of late years, however, about the only foot-notes that have survived are those explaining that some base runner has been hit by a batted ball, that a batsman has been declared out for illegally batting the ball, for batting out of turn, or for illegally stepping from one batsman's box to the other as the pitcher is ready to pitch the ball. Bear in mind that whenever it is at all possible, the put-out should be credited in the regular way. For instance : the batter is automatically out if he should bunt foul after he already has two strikes. The ball is manifestly not fielded, but, as the put-out is classed as a third strike, the pitcher should be credited with a strike-out and the catcher should be given the actual put-out. Credit the put-out to the catcher also in case a batsman bats out of turn. And right here the scorer may be charged to grasp the full sig- nificance of rule No. 51, Section 1, which declares that the bats- man is out if he fails to take his position at the bat in the order in which his name appears in the batting list, etc. For con- venience sake, let us say that the first batsman on the list is No. 1, the next No. 2, and so on down to No. 9, m regular sequence. No. 5 has just finished his turn at bat and, naturally, No. 6 should come up. But through some misadvertence. No. 7 actually steps to the plate. This in itself is not considered an illegal act. No illegality is considered to have been committed until batsman No. 7 has completed his turn at bat — that is, until he has either reached first base or has been put out. Even then the illegalitv is dependent upon the opposing captain having claimed it of the umpire and demanded the penalty. The penalty is that No. 6 shall be declared out and the ball shall be credited to the catcher, inde- pendent of whether No. 7 reached first base or was put out in any way, shape or form. The scorer, under these conditions, should omit everything that has resulted in connection with No. 7's turn at bat and substitute the out of No. 6 by the catcher. This done, No. 7 returns to bat to take his regular turn im- 34 SrALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. mediately unless the declared out makes the third of the half, in which case No. 7 is the first batsman up in the next inning. But an out is not necessarily declared, even though the proper bj.tsman does not take his turn. Should the error be detected at any time before No. 7 has actually completed his turn at bat, No. 6 may be substituted, taking whatever handicap in the way of balls or strikes No. 7 may have had at the moment of exchange. No. 7 may even complete his turn at bat, and no penalty can be inflicted unless the opposing captain demands it before the first ball has been pitched to the next batsman. The features for the scorer to bear in mind regarding a batsman batting out of the proper order are as follows : Penalty can only be demanded between the time the improper batsman completed his turn at bat and before the pitcher delivers the first ball to the next batsman. Exchange of the improper batsman for the proper batsman can be made at any time before the im- proper batsman has completed his turn at bat, the proper batsman taking upon himself the balls and strikes the improper batsman has at the moment the exchange is made. If the improper batsman has completed his turn at bat and the pitcher has begun to pitch to the next batsman, no penalty can be demanded and the scorer must leave the proper batsman's account blank for that round. In case of a technical infield fly, the ball may drop to the ground absolutely untouched and yet the batsman will be declared out. Give the put-out to the fielder who, in your judgment, would have caught the fly had the effort been made to do so. In case of interference that prevents the put-out being made, give the credit in the score to the player who would evidently have made the put-out had the interference not prevented. An innovation since 1910 is the allowance of an assist and a put-out to the same fielder if, during a run-down, he has handled the ball previous to the actual put-out. Before this explicit declaration in the code, it was considered that the fielder v/ho made the put-out received full credit for his entire performance during the play, no matter how many times he had handled the ball. The rule solons decreed otherwise, however, and if the same views continue to hold, it will not be long before we may expect the logical outcome — orders to credit a fielder with an assist every time he handles a ball during a run-down, even though two or three assists to the same same player result thereby. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBEART. 35 The scorer should also have clearly in mind the procedure in a case already touched upon — when a runner, not compelled to ad- vance by a fair batted ball, finds himself upon a base already occupied by a preceding base runner. In such cases the runner who "came up from behind" is the man properly retired. The advanced runner is properly entitled to remain on the base and, when two runners are touched by the fielder under such condi- tions, the last runner on the bag is the only one out. In case the advance has been compelled by a fair bat'ted ball, however, the man previously occupying the base has been forced ofif and is retired. PROBLEMS. (47) Batted ball hits third baseman on leg, caroms off to shortstop, who throws ball to second baseman in time to force runner endeavoring to advance from first. (48) Batsman hits to shortstop and runner, trying to advance to third, is caught between bases. Ball is thrown by shortstop to third baseman, to shortstop, to catcher, to second baseman, to third baseman, to pitcher, to shortstop, who makes the put-out. (49) Batted ball glances off second baseman's hands and strikes runner advancing from first to second. Both runner and batsman reach bases before ball is fielded. (50) Batsman has two strikes when he bunts foul fly that is caught by third baseman. (51) Batsman hits to second baseman who is in act of fielding ball as runner advancing from first to second collides, causing second baseman to drop ball. (52) Batsman hits fly to outfielder, which is dropped. Ball is recovered in time to (a) put out previous runner advancing from first to second, by throw to shortstop. (b) To put out batsman trying to reach second on the hit. (53) Ball hit to pitcher who has raced with batsman for first base, beating him by narrow margin. (54) With two strikes, batsman bunts foul along first base line, (a) Ball fielded by first baseman. (b) No effort made to field ball. (55) Batsman fourth on list comes to bat when it is No. 3's turn. Im- proper batsman has two strikes and two balls when error is discovered and batsman is replaced by No. 3. (56) Batsman hits fly to right fielder. Ball is dropped, but recovered in time to make throw to first base that would have put out batsman had first baseman not dropped the throw. (57) Batsman hits ball that strikes runner advancing from second to third. (58) Batsman No. 6 on list bats after No. 4, and the mistake is not discovered until batsman No. 7 is taking his turn at bat. No. 6 has made a safe hit and is on second. Demand made that No. 5 shall be declared out. (59) Runners on first, second and third and none out when batsman pops up a fly over pitcher's slab. Pitcher gives way to first baseman, but neither catches ball and it drops to the ground, no runner advancing, with original runner and batsman both on first base. (60) Run-down between third and the plate brings following exchange of throws: Shortstop to catcher, to third baseman, to catcher, to pitcher, to first baseman, to third baseman, who drops ball and allows runner to slide back safely to third base. Meanwhile, however^ a runner who had been on first, has advanced to second and to third, so that the runner previously there finds the base occupied when the dropping of the ball by the third baseman allows him to return safely. Third baseman recovers the ball and touches both runners while standing upon the base. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRAEY. TIMES AT BAT The scorer will find the average player peculiarly sensitive re- garding the correctness of his charges for times at bat. While the player is keen enough to demand perfection from others in every matter that concerns himself, in none is he more keen than in the feature of batting record — his "stock in trade," as he is wont to term it. Now the batting record is as much dependent upon the times at bat charged up as upon the number of base l-Mts credited and, unfortunately, the careless scorer is more apt to increase the batsman's number of times at bat than to decrease them — a failing that will bring the wrath of the player upon his head. It is of great importance, therefore, that the scorer shall clearly understand and keep ever in mind, when making his extensions, just what situations call for an exemption of the batsman from a time at bat. These situations are as follows: When the batter has — Received a base on balls. • Been hit by a pitched ball. Been sent to first because of interference by the catcher. Made a sacrifice hit. Made a sacrifice fly. The list does not include many items, nor is the matter at all complicated. The chief demand upon the scorer in fulfilling this part of his duties correctly, is to "keep his mind upon his num- ber." He must neither forget to keep his record so that the foregoing exceptions will be plainly apparent in each man's box when entitled to them and he must not overlook their presence in making the extensions. It is because these exemptions are granted that the novice wonders greatly why the batter appearing high up on the team's list may be charged in the box score with perhaps but two times at bat while a batsman lower down in the list may have been up four times, or possibly five times. The explanation is very simple. The batsman higher up on the list has appeared at the plate to take his turn a* bat as often as his turn came around in natural sequence, but the result of his efforts while at bat will include one or more features in the exemption list and con- sequently he is extended as technically at bat fewer times than SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 87 another batter, without exemptions, who might have been ex- pected to have been at bat one less time than the batsman higher up on the list. The reasons for the exemption are fair enough: In the case of a "pass" by a base on balls, being hit by the pitcher, or getting first by reason of the catcher's interference, the batsman has not had a fair chance to earn a base-hit. Consequently there is no justice in making his record appear as if he had that chance. In the case of a sacrifice hit or fly, the batsman has earned the right to exemption by meritorious conduct, as it were. He has voluntarily relinquished his fair chance to make a safe hit, for the general good to the team the advancement of the runner will be and he should not be penalized for doing his duty. PROBLEMS. (6i) Batsman scratches to third baseman and is out at first, runner on first advancing to second. (62) Batsman bunts to pitcher who throws to shortstop, forcing runner advancing from first base. (63) Batsman, on hit-and-run-sign, hits sharply between first and second, but fails to get ball through. Second baseman fields ball to first, retiring batsman, but runner advances from first base to second. (64) Runner on third base when batsman sends long, but easy fly to left fielder. Left fielder allowed ball to slip through hands, but recovers it in time to throw out at second base, runner forced from first. Runner on third scores and batsman is safe on first. (65) Batsman bunts to pitcher who throws wild to first base. Runner on second base scores and batsman reaches second safely. (66) Batsman bunts in front of the plate. Catcher fields ball, throwing to third base in time to retire runner advancing from second. Runner advances from first to second and batsman is safe on first. (67) With runner on third and one out, batsman bunts on "squeeze- play" signal. Batsman is thrown out at first, runner scoring from third. (68) Batsman bunts to second baseman, who throws to shortstop at second. Close play results, on which runner advancing from first is declared safe. Batsman is also safe at first. (69) Batsman bunts to pitcher, who throws to shortstop apparently standing on bag. Shortstop immediately throws to first, putting out bats- man. Umpire declares the runner advancing from first base is safe at second, as shortstop did not have his foot on the base when acting as pivot in supposed double play. {70) Batsman is crowded out of box by catcher as runner endeavors to steal home from third on regular delivery. Umpire awards batsman first base. (71) Batsman flies to right field, advancing runner from second to third. 38 SPALDING'S ATHLSTIC IJBEAIIY. SCORING OF RUNS While the scorer has nothing to do with deciding whether run- ners who cross the plate under peculiar conditions are allowed to count a run for their side, the scorer must know what the vmpire is bound to decide according to the rules or he wiP be ignorant of the real state of the score. The scorer must bear in mind that no run can score that crosses the plate on or dur- ing a play in which the third man is either forced out or put out before reaching first base. Suppose, by way of illustration, that two are out and a runner is on third base when the batsman hits to the' shortstop a ground ball on which the batsman is put out by the throw to first on a very close play. The runner who had been on third, having a bet- ter start for the plate than the batsman had for first base, is mani- festly across the plate before the shortstop's throw that retired the batsman is in the first baseman's hands. The run, however, cannot count. Again, should the play have been varied merely by supposing the third out to be a runner forced at second, the runner from third could not count a run, though he may have crossed the plate perceptibly before the throw from second base completed the put-out. Double plays also sometimes figure when the side is retired thereby. It makes no difference whether the play is merely the one out, a double or even a triple play, if the play retires t^e side and the runner crosses the plate during it. The run d^^s not count. But the scorer must use discrimination, for there are numerous situations when the run does count if the runner crosses the plate before the put-out that retires the side is made. For in- stance : Two are out with runners on third and second when the batsman hits safely to right field. In endeavoring to stretch his hit to a two-bagger, he is put out at second base by the right fielder's throw to the shortstop. The runner from third base un- doubtedly scores, while if the runner from second crossed the plate before the ball was "put on" the batsman trying to reach second base that run counts. Another case in which the run is allowed to count by custom, but which is capable of less defense, is that scoring during a play that makes the third out, arising from a runner having left his base illegally upon a fly catch. To illustrate: A runner is on third base and another on second base, with one out, when SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 39 batsman hits fly to center fielder. The runner on third base holds the base until the catch is made, then starts for the plate. The runner on second base, however, started to advance the moment the batsman hit the ball. The centre fielder's throw to the second baseman results in the runner from second being put out before he can return. The runner from third is allowed to count his run under these circumstances, provided he crossed the plate be- fore the out was made at second base. Just why this run should be allowed to count is not apparent for the reason that the play partakes of the nature of a force, just as though the runner were compelled to advance by reason ^f a batted ball. The fact is, the batted ball has compelled the runner to remain where he is until the ball is caught, or, failing that — as in this case — to return to the base. Because the direc- tion of the force is inverted, it should be no less a force, and, as the principle of forces is that the runner is out from the moment the play begins, provided it is successfully completed, it is not apparent how the run can justly be allowed to score, even though the runner does cross the plate before the actual put-out is made. And yet custom decrees that the run shall count. The different principle involved can be recognized by supposing that in this same hypothetical case cited, the runner on second base holds the bag until the ball has been caught by the centre fielder. Then he endeavors to advance to third base and is put out by the centre fielder's throw to the third baseman. It can be seen at once that there is no reason why the runner from third should not be allowed to score if he crosses the plate before the third man was out. There was nothing compulsory about the runner from second base advancing and the game was "wide open" for any play legitimately made during the period. In the other case, however, the other runner has illegally left second base. From the moment he left it he was an offender against the rules, from which he could only purge himself by his return to second base before the ball arrived there. He was plainly forced to return, just as the man on first is forced to run to second, under the rules, when the batsman hits a fair ball not caught on the fly. But until the rule solons recognize the demands of the force inverted as well as the force direct, the run under these circum- stances will have to be allowed. When the third out is made by claiming the put-out on a runner who "cuts" a base, the scorer must discriminate between whether that "cut" does or does not amount to a force out. If it does, no run scored can count even though it may have crossed the plate before the out was legally made. The now celebrated Merkle decision in the fall of 1907 plainly established this pre- cedent. In that case a runner was on third and another on first 40 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. when the batsman made what would ordinarily have been a safe hit, had the runner on first carried out the letter of the rule and ad- vanced to second base. That run would have been the winning run and the game would have ended then and there, but the runner from first base did not deem it necessary to go through the formality of advancing to second base. The ball was fielded to that base, the runner on first base was declared to have been forced and the runner from third base was not allowed to count his run. Let us suppose, however, that in this same case there had been no runner on first base — merely the runner on third and the game not at an end when he crossed the plate. The batsman made his safe hit and continued around the circuit, cutting second base as he proceeded. Suppose the ball was fielded to second base and the out demanded, all runs would have counted that crossed the plate before such put-out was declared by the umpire. Runs cannot be scored and, in fact, no bases run when a batted ball hits an umpire or a runner. The only exception to this gen- eral rule is when the runners are compelled to advance to allow the batsman to take first base. PROBLEMS. (72) Runner on third and two out when batsman hits to shortstop. Runner crosses plate before shortstop's throw puts out batsman at first base. (73) Runner on third and two out when batsman hits to second baseman. Runner crosses plate before second baseman's throw to shortstop forces runner trying to advance from first. (74) Runner on second and two out when batsman hits safely to left field. Runner crosses plate before batsman is retired trying to stretch his hit to two bases. (75) Runner on third and runner on first, with one out, when batsman hits fly to right field. Runner on third holds base until fly is caught and crosses plate before right fielder's throw to first base puts out runner there, who had left base too soon. (76) Runner on third and runner on second, with one out. Batsman hits fly to left field. Runner from third crosses plate legally before runner . from second, legally trying to advance to third, is thrown out at third base. (77) Runners on third, second and first, with one out when technical in- field fly falls through second baseman's hands to ground and ball rolls a short distance. Runner on third makes dash for plate and runner on second makes dash for third. Runner on third crosses plate before runner from second is put out by second baseman's throw to third baseman. (78) Bases filled, with none out, when batsman hits short fly to left field. Runners have begun to advance when left fielder makes sensational one- handed catch. Runner on third touches base after ball is caught and crosses plate after ball is relayed to second base, putting out the runner there, but before the ball reaches first to complete the triple play. (79) Runner on third when batsman hits ball so that umpire is hit by batted ball. (80) Runners on all bases when umpire is hit by batted ball. (81) Runners on third and first with none out when batted ball hits runner going down from first to second. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. THE EARNED RUN The Earned Run is not a factor in present-day scoring, as con- sideration of it was abandoned some years ago. Its various aspects during the period it was taken into account will be inter- esting to the scorer, however, as it is very possible that this fea- ture will scon find its way again into the score sheets. Already the signs point to a speedy re-incorporation in connection with determining more exactly the merits and demerits of the pitcher, for the consensus of opinion is that the present method of charg- ing games lost or of crediting games won is not a true indica- tion of the pitcher's every day value to his team. Away back in the '80's the earned run was first introduced. Its definition at that time was as follows : An earned run shall be scored every time the player reaches the home base unaided by errors be- fore chances have been offered to retire the side by three men. But bases on balls though summarized as errors, shall be credited as factors in earned runs. The clearest form of the earned run at that time was one that started en a safe hit, or a base on balls, reached second on a safe hit or a force to second by a base on balls, and reached third and home in the same way. The counting stopped abso- lutely, however, at the moment the side should have been re- tired, but was not, by reason of fielding errors. At the beginning of the '90's the earned run assumed this phase : An earned run shall be scored every time the player reaches home base unaided by errors before the chances have been offered to retire the side. The difference was the elimination of the base on balls from figuring in an earned run. The run was only earned when batted clear around the four bases, but, as in the original definition, the account was cut off when the side should have been retired by reason of fielding errors. Daring the year 1890 it was learned that some scorers had been in the habit of including stolen bases in computing earned runs and it was deemed wise to promulgate a caution against such procedure. The note was appended therefore, that the "earned run should not include the data of stolen bases or of bases scored in any other way." The next year — 1892 — ^brought more tinkering with the defini- tion of the earned run, which appeared in this form: 42 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. An earned run shall be scored every time a player reaches the home base unaided by errors before chances have been offered to retire the side. If a base runner advances a base on a fly-out, or gains two bases on a single hit or on an infield fly-out, or on an attempted out, he shall be credited Vv'ith a stolen base, provided that there is a possible chance and a palpable effort to retire him. The effect of this, it will be seen, was to still further limit the number of earned runs. The rules of 1893 returned the earned- run definition to exactly the same verbiage as in 1890 and thus it remained during 1894, 1895 and 1896. In 1897 one more attempt was made to get a definition that gave satisfaction and the result was this : An earned run shall be scored every time a player reaches the home base by the aid of base hits only, before chances have been offered to retire the side. But the true merits of the pitcher will never be shown by the earned run of any definition baseball has yet known, for the reason that errors cannot be eliminated simply by a stroke of the pen, or by cutting off the account of the pitcher merely because errors have prevented the retirement of the side. Errors are as much a part of the game to be expected as base-hits and the pitcher's merit must be considered from a basis of what he does, even against a handicap of errors, as well as what he allows in the way of safe hits. The pitcher who can rise superior to errors, always more or less discouraging to a pitcher's work, is the pitcher who deserves the better rating. Some system of charg- ing runs for which the pitcher* is responsible, errors or no errors, must be considered as the only true test of merit. The best test, it would seem, will be to work out a system charg- ing the pitcher with all runs secured by his agency, eliminating only such runners who would, during the inning have been put out on perfect play. Let a possible earned run start on a base on balls, a hit-by-the-pitcher, a fielding error by the pitcher or a safe-hit. Let that earned run be "alive" until that time when, should it come, the runner should have been put out and was not by some error other than one of the pitcher. But all other runs resulting from additional bases gained by fielding errors should be counted against the pitcher clear until the half inning ends. Then take the total number of runs for which he has been responsible during the season in connection with the times at bat of opponents and an average will be gained that will really show something. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. DOUBLE PLAYS AND STOLEN BASES As strange as it may seem, there had been no specific defini- tion of the term "Double Plays" until the code of 1909, when the Baseball Writers' Association established this idea regarding the Double Play, having it incorporated in the rules : A Double Play shall mean any two continuous put- outs that take place between the time the ball leaves the pitcher's hands until it is returned to him again, standing in the pitcher's box. It was ample time, in the interests of scoring uniformity, that some definition of the term was evolved, for the reason that some scorers were placing in the summary as double plays certain forms of two continuous put-outs, while others were not classing them as double plays. The most convenient illustration is found in the attempted steal upon a strike-out. Many scorers would class this as a double play if the stealing runner was thrown out by the catcher, while just as many others would not regard it as such. The truth of the matter is that those who did not, were nearer the original conception of the double play than those who did, for the double play was originally intended to hinge upon the double out arising from a batted ball and from nothing else. For instance : If a batter forced a runner compelled to advance and was himself thrown out at first, or if a runner was thrown out at a base he illegally left upon a fly catch, a double play was consummated. The play manifestly hinged upon the batted ball. The new idea abandoned that restriction entirely and, if taken literally, the scorer must credit as double plays any two outs made between the delivery of the ball and the moment when the pitcher again holds the ball while standing in his position. The proper form of writing down a double play is "Smith, Jones and Brown." Many scorers seem addicted to the form of "Smith to Jones to Brown," which is not considered correct. The Baseball Writers' Association must also receive credit for systematizing better than ever before the plan for making uniform the scoring of stolen bases. The principal thing for the scorer to remember now is that there are important exceptions to the general rule that a stolen base is credited to a runner who ad- vances a base unaided by a base hit, a put-out, or a fielding or battery error. These exceptions are as follows : 44 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. In the event of a double or triple steal being at- tempted, where either runner is thrown out, the other, or others, shall not be credited with a stolen base. In the event of a base runner being touched out after sliding over a base, he shall not be regarded as having stolen the base in question. In event of a palpable muff of a ball thrown by the catcher, when the base runner is clearly blocked, the infielder making the muff shall be charged 'with an error and the base runner shall not be credited with a stolen base. Conversely, the base runner shall be credited with a stolen base in the event of his making a start to steal a base prior to a battery error. Just how the viewpoint as regards stolen bases has changed in thirty years can be judged from the instructions issued in the 80's, which were as follows : Bases stolen * * * shall be governed as follows: Any attempt to steal a base must go to the credit of the base runner whether the ball is thrown wild or muffed by the fielder ; but any manifest error is to be charged to the fielder making the same. If the base runner advances another base, he shall not be credited with a stolen base and the fielder allowing the advancement shall be charged with an error. If a base runner makes a start and a battery error is made, the runner secures the credit of a stolen base and the battery error is scored against the player mak- ing it. Should a base runner over-run a base and then be put out, he should receive the credit for a stolen base. In 1891, the late Henry Chadwick, the editor of Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide, made the self-explanatory note : "This rule sadly needs revision, as it fails to properly describe a stolen base." The only effect perceptible, however, was the addition in 1893 of these words : If a base runner advances a base on a fly-out, or gains two bases on a single base-hit, or an infield •out, or an attempted out, he shall be credited with a stolen base, provided there is a possible chance and a palpable attempt made to retire him. This addition held for six years — until 1897 — when it was re- tired and the instructions restored to the original form of th§ SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 45 eighties. But the next year— 1S98 — the entire section was wiped out and there was substituted in its place this brief command : A stolen base shall ht credited to the base runner whenever he reaches the base he attempts to steal un- aided by a fielding or by a battery error, or a hit by the batsman. So things remained for 11 years, when the Baseball Writers' Association took a hand and produced practically the instruc- tions that pertain at the present time. The scorer will not be allowed to credit a stolen base to a run- ner who may take it upon himself to ''steal backward." While there is nothing prohibitive in the general rules of a runner pro- ceeding from third to second, or from second to first, should he deem any better strategic position to be gained thereby, stolen bases are only credited when the runner "advances." Indeed, though the "steal backward" has been occasionally worked in years gone by, of late seasons some leagues have instructed umpires to disallow such a play. But whether the umpire allows it or not, when attempted, the scorer cannot let it afifect his stolen base record. PROBLEMS. (82) Runner on first when batsman bunts foul fly which is caught by third baseman. Third baseman throws to first baseman, retiring runner before he returns to base. (83) As batsman strikes out, runner on second attempts to steal third, but is thrown out, catcher to third baseman. (84) Pitcher catches runner off first base by throw to first baseman and he is eventually put out. During the run-down, runner on third attempts to score, and throw to catcher puts him out at the plate. (85) Batsman flies to left fielder, who throws to shortstop in time to catch runner from first trying to reach second. (86) Batsman flies out to second baseman, who throws wildly to third baseman in effort to catch runner off third base. Runner scores, but third baseman returns ball to shortstop, covering third, in time to retire runner endeavoring to advance from second. (87) Batsman fouls to catcher, who returns ball to pitcher. Pitcher, noting runner on first has big lead, throws to first baseman, retiring runner. (88) With first base only occupied, batsman pops up fly to second baseman, who drops ball, but recovers it in time to throw to shortstop, who touches bag and throws to first baseman, before batsman reaches base. (89) Runner on first starts to second as pitcher delivers wild pitch and runner reaches third. (90) Runner on second starts for third before ball is delivered. Batsman hits to shortstop and is thrown out at first. (91) Runner on first starts for second as pitcher delivers ball. Batsman fails to hit ball and catcher throws to shortstop, who apparently has caught runner until he drops the throw. (92) Runner on second endeavors to advance to third, which he reaches before third baseman receives catcher's throw. He over-slides bag, how- ever, and is touched by third baseman before he can get back. (93) Runner on second advances to third when batsman flies to right fielder. 46 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. (94) Runner on first advances to second and keeps on to third, as catcher throws to centre field. (95) Runner on first starts for second as pitcher delivers ball. Bats- xnan hits cleanly to right and runner continues safely to third. Batsman remains at first. (96) Runners on second and first endeavor to advance simultaneously, but catcher's throw to third baseman puts out runner from second. (97) Runners on first and second when catcher has passed ball and both advance. Neither had shown any evidence of advancing until passed ball occurs. (98) Runners on third and first with one out, when runner on first advances to second. Catcher throws down and runner on third advances to plate, scoring, but runner from first is put out. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 47 MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS The scorer will find it necessary to be thoroughly posted on several matters which, while they may be classed among the "un- written rules" are none the less important, and without the knowledge of which good and uniform scoring is not. For instance, should a "hit-by-a-pitched-ball" be the fourth ball, the batter is not scored as having been hit by the pitcher, but as having reached first on four balls. The reason for this is two-fold : it lessens the labor of the scorer and it lessens the odium attached to the pitching. It lessens the labor of the scorer for the reason that a game rarely passes that a batsman does not reach first on four balls, consequently that feature of scoring is practically sure to be present. The additional base on balls, therefore, can be more readily recorded than can the hit- by-the-pitcher, which is rare in comparison with the base on balls and it may obviate the opening of an entirely new account, as it were, to call such a hit-by-the-pitcher a fourth ball. It relieves the odium upon the pitcher, because the hit-by-the- pitcher is less prevalent and accordingly more likely to cause the pitcher unfavorable notoriety if his account is large. Both classes of passes exempt the batsman from a charge of a time at '>at, so it can be but a matter of indifference to him. While touching upon bases on balls, the evolution of the rule .xing the number of bad balls necessary for a batsman to "walk" to first and the number of strikes necessary to retire the bats- man should be familiar to the scorer. The earliest codified rules of baseball formulated on December 12, 1860, do not recognize "bad balls" as they are now known and, consequently, there was no such thing as the present day "base on balls." The "called strike" was recognized but a called strike was evidently distasteful and only resorted to as a last recourse. The umpire was instructed to call strikes on the "striker," as the batsman was then called, only in case the afore- said "striker" stood at the bat "without striking at good balls repeatedly pitched to him, for the apparent purpose of delaying the game or of giving advantage to a player." In- that case, the umpire was instructed to warn the "striker" and, after that, to call strikes "if he persisted in such action." This was Rule 37, and the repeated advice to umpires to enforce the rule is an indi- cation that it was more often honored in the breach than in the observance. Of course, if the "striker" hit at three balls and 48 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. missed, he was declared out, if the catcher caught the third de- Hvery so struck out and missed, either on the fly or on the bound. If the catcher did not make this catch on the fly or the bound, the striker was entitled, as now, to endeavor to reach first base before the ball could be fielded there. Later in the sixties the "bad ball" was recognized for the first time and the "striker" was authorized to "take the first base" when three balls had been called. The words "three balls" con- veyed a vastly different meaning then than now. The rule read : Should the pitcher repeatedly fail to deliver to the striker fair balls * * * the umpire, after warning him, shall call one ball and if the pitcher persists in such action, two and three balls. This was construed to mean that before a "ball" was called upon the pitcher, he must have pitched at least two practically bad balls, after which he should be "warned" by the umpire. After the warning, it was necessary for the pitcher to pitch at least two more practically bad balls before the umpire could call one technically bad ball. A little mental arithmetic shows that the minimum of six what are now termed "balls" had to be pitched in those days before the "striker" could take the first base on three technical "balls." The fact was, however, that the umpire allowed greater leeway habitually, especially in the first inning. The pitcher could usually pitch what would now be called 9 or more bad balls before the "striker" was privileged to "walk" to first base. The strike-out rule remained the same, but began to be more rigidly interpreted. In 1870 the rules were slightly changed so as to exempt the first ball pitched by the pitcher , from being called either a ball or a strike unless the "striker" struck at it and missed. The -warning by the umpire was also eliminated, thus reducing the number of practical bad balls or strikes allowed the pitcher be- fore the technical three balls or strikes were completed on the "striker." In 1873 a materi-al change was made in determining balls. Pro- vision was made for what was termed the "wide ball" — that is, balls delivered by the pitcher to the "striker" over the striker's position or on the ground in front of the home base, or touch- ing his person, or out of reach of his bat, or on the side opposite to that from which the batsman strikes. Three such "wide balls," excepting alone the first ball delivered to the "striker" entitled the "striker" to take his first base. The original rule pertaining to taking first on bad balls was materially changed also, as it was provided that all balls not designated as wide balls and yet not SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 49 sent over the home base at the proper height, should be called "unfairly delivered" in the proportion of one to every third ball so delivered Thus, excepting "wide balls," the "striker" must needs have had 9 practically bad balls before being allowed to take first on three technically bad balls. The strike-out rule remained the same. In 1875, the exemption granted on balls and strikes to the first ball delivered was abrogated. In 1878 the rule pertaining to called strikes was amended to practically allow the batsman four strikes before being called out. This was done by instructing the umpire to call "Good ball" upon the delivery of the next fair ball after the batsman had had two strikes called and upon the next good delivery, the third strike. The next year — 1879 — saw the bad ball put on the basis it occupies to-day and 9 of these bad balls were allowed the pitcher before the batsman could "walk" to first base. The number of balls was reduced in 1880 to eight, and after more or less vicissitudes during the eighties, in 1888 five was fixed as the requisite number. In 1889 the qualifying number was re- duced to four, where "it has remained ever since. BALKS. The scorer must bear in mind that under the rules now pre- vailing the batsman never takes first base on a balk. Only the base runners advance on a balk and when no base runners are on bases, there can be no technical balk. The rules say that a balk shall be : 1. Any motion made by the pitcher while in posi- tion to deliver the ball to the bat without delivering it, or to throw to first base when occupied by a base runner, without completing the throw. 2. Throwing the ball by the pitcher to any base to catch the base runner without stepping directly toward such a base in the act of making such throw. 3. Any delivery of the ball to the bat by the pitcher while either foot is back of the pitcher's plate. 4. Any delivery of the ball to the bat by the pitcher while he is not facing the batsman. 5. Any motion in delivering the ball to the bat by the pitcher while not in the position defined by Rule 30. 6. Holding of the ball by the pitcher so long as, in the opinion of the umpire, to unnecessarily delay the game. 60 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 7. Making any motion to pitch while standing in his position without having the ball in his posses- sion. 8. Making any motion of the arm, shoulder, hip or body the pitcher habitually makes in his method of delivery without immediately delivering the ball to the bat. 9. Delivery of the ball to the bat when the catcher is standing outside the lines of the catcher's position as defined in Rule 3. It can readily be seen that a balk need not necessarily occur from a delivery of the ball to the batsman — the only possible way in which it could affect the batsman by being called a technical "ball." If a balk is called from causes 1, 2, 7 or 8, it is impossible for the batsman to be affected. If from causes 3, 4, 5 or 9, the batsman is affected if the umpire calls a "ball." If it should happen to be the batsman's fourth "ball" he proceeds to first base. If from cause 6, the batsman may be affected, for while the ball may not be delivered, the umpire is empowered by the rules to call a "ball." The principal thing for the scorer to remember is that if the fourth ball is called on a balk, the batsman is recorded as hav- ing reached first base on the fourth ball and not on the balk. FIRST BASE ON ERRORS. A first base on errors should be scored when the batsman is able to start his round by reason of a fielding error made on the ball the batsman hit. While strict reasoning might urge a "first- on-errors" to be charged when a batsman reaches first base in any way after the catcher or other fielder had dropped a foul fly offered by that batsman, it is not customary to do so. The batsman has practically reached first because that error was com- mitted during his term at bat, but it is not classed in the province of technical "first-on-errors." So, again, when a bats- man forces an advanced runner, but the advanced runner is saved by a fielding error, it might be reasoned that a "first-on-errors" should be charged, but it is not. The scorer should remember that only in case the play is made at first base, on the bats- man and on the ball batted by the batsman, is the technical "first-on-errors" charged in the score if the batsman is "saved" by the commission of a fielding error. SUBSTITUTE RUNNERS. In case a substitute runner is put in for the runner on the score card, the scorer must learn whether the substitute is a SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 51 temporary man, allowed by permission of the opposing team, or whether he is a new player, temporarily or permanently injected into the game. The scorer must know, because on that knowl- edge depends whether the scorer is to credit any bases stolen, or runs scored by the substitute, to the original player or to the substitute. The substitute runner never appears until the batsman has reached at least first base. Should the captain of the batsman's team decide for any reason that it will be to the advantage of his team to have a runner substituted for him he has two alter- natives : First — A player already in the lineup may be chosen to do the running, but only with the consent of the captain of the oppos- ing team. If such a player is chosen and accepted by the oppos- ing captain, any bases he may steal or run he may score, are credited to the regular batsman whose place he has temporarily taken and after the run is scored or the half-inning is closed, the substitute goes to his own position, while the player for whom, he substituted is privileged to return to his former duties. Second — A player from the bench, that is, a player who has not been heretofore in the lineup, may be substituted for the runner. In that case no permission has to be gained from the opposing captain, the original runner is out of the remainder of the game and the substitute becomes a regular player and as such is to be credited with any bases he may steal or the run, if he scores. At the conclusion of the half-inning he may take the fielding place of the player whom he replaced, or he may, in turn, be replaced by another substitute. Generally speaking, the scorer may be guided by whether the substitute is one of the players already in the lineup. If he is, disregard him except for a footnote, which may be made, ex- plaining that "-^ ran for in the ■ inning." 62 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. CREDITING OR CHARGING THE PITCHER One of the principal methods for many years of determining a pitcher's ability has been by the number of games he has won and lost during each season. Dissatisfaction has been growing over the fact that this is the principal means of determining so important a matter because in many cases it does not represent the pitcher's real value. But with that this volume has nothing to do. No mechanical difficulty presents itself when only one pitcher appears for each team, but when two or more pitchers are use4 by one of the teams, the scorer is often puzzled to know which may more justly be credited with a victory or charged with a loss, as results may compel. No set rules have even been formu- lated, for no set of rules can cover all of the multitudinous aspects of games that may develop. The scorer can only be guided by common sense in reaching his decision — ^common sense, added to the underlying principles that may be said to govern. Indeed, there is more need for the exercise of common sense in this particular feature than in any other department of scoring, not even excepting that other delicate task, discriminating between the base-hit and the error. The scorer should take into consideration the following points : 1. The number of innings each pitcher works. 2. The comparative state of the score when the first pitcher gave way to his successor, the subse- quent state of the score during the play and the final score. 3. The number of hands out and the number of runners on bases, if any, at the moment when the substitution was made, if it occurred in mid-inning. With these things in view, the scorer should wei^h results at- tributable to each pitcher with a view to establishmg clearly in his own mind which was the more responsible for the final result of the game. His recommendation — he can never do more than recommend, as the secretary or president of the league compiles officially the number of games each pitcher wins or loses during the season — should be based on the conclusion he reaches after a careful study of all the various aspects of the game. 'T(he nearest to a set o'f rules on the subject that can be codified may be formulated as follows : If the pitcher who first works has been taken out after the fifth inning has been reached, at the close SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. of the half-inning and the score is in favor of his team, if the game is won, without being tied at any stage of the game, credit the first pitcher with the victory. If the game is lost, charge the second pitcher. If the pitcher who first works has been taken out at the end of a half-inning before the fifth inning has been reached, if the number of runs made by his team up to that time proves greater than the final score of his opponents, credit the first pitcher wtih the victory. If the runs made by his team after the first pitcher retires were necessary to cause the team to win, credit the second pitcher with the victory or charge him with the loss, as the final result may demand. If the pitcher who first works has been taken out in mid-inning at any stage of the game, charge any runs scored by runners who may be on bases when the first pitcher retires, to the first pitcher and then compute according to the first or second of the fore- going paragraphs, as the case may demand. If the first pitcher has been taken out at the end of any half-inning whether it is the first or last part of the gJtme and the_ score is a tie, the second pitcher is credited with a victory or charged with a loss, as the final score may demand. If the pitcher who first works has been taken out at any stage of the game with the comparative score in favor of his opponents, should the game be event- ually won by his team, credit must be to the second pitcher. Should the game be lost, the first pitcher is charged with the loss. The only exception to this rule that might be noted is that should the team make during its next term at bat sufficient runs to either tie or forge ahead, the tie or advantage must be credited to the first pitcher, even though a substi- tute batsman has been used for him, indicating that the pitcher is out of the game entirely. If the pitcher who first works retireswith the score against his team, a second pitcher fails to improve conditions and a third pitcher is finally used with the result that the game is eventually lost, the charge of the loss must be made against the first pitcher who worked. If, however, the score is at any time tied or his team forges ahead of its opponents, the ac- count is supposed to begin afresh from such time the score is tied or bettered. 64 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. In this connection the scorer will be benfitted by the rules observed by Mr. John A. Heydler, for many years secretary of the National League and at one time its president, than whom no more eminent authority on properly crediting or charging pitchers can be quoted. Mr. Heydler gave his views on the subject to the author of this volume a short time ago and they are herewith printed for the first time : A pitcher relieving another must have an abso- lutely equal chance, in fact, he is entitled to any shade of benefit, as he is the only player not warmed or keyed up to contesting edge. If he finds runners on the bases when he takes command and he cannot prevent them from scoring, these runs must be charged to his predecessors. If he starts on equal innings with the score a tie, the preceding pitcher is eliminated. It is a new game, so far as the new pitcher is concerned. If this occurs in the eighth inning, his team may win for him in the very next inning. That is his fortune, for he could lose in that one inning just as easily. This method often appears unjust to the man who pitched the greater part of the game, but in the long run of the season these short-game credits usually equalize themselves. I lean toward the pitcher who is always around and ready to jump in and save a game. Here is one that does look bad : A sixteen-inning game with the final score 1 to 0. In the twelfth in- ning the first pitcher has been taken out to allow a substitute to bat. The game goes for four innings and the second pitcher gets credit for the game. A hardship for the first pitcher, no doubt, but how about the opposing pitcher, who is also "there" for 15 innings and he may have lost by some fluke in the sixteenth ? Fine work for a "zero" in the aver- ages. But these are isolated cases. The rule is for the many. Another muchly discussed matter is the award of the game to a pitcher who is retired with a score in his favor. I seldom give the first pitcher credit for winning unless he has pitched at least five innings. I make an exception, of course, where the score is overwhelmingly in his favor in the first few innings and his retirement is plainly to save him for another game. In such cases I weigh all the con- SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 56 ditions and usually rely on the judgment of the official scorer who is on the ground and knows all the circumstances leading up to the pitcher's retire- ment. Where a pitcher is relieved by a substitute batsman, I usually give him the benefit of the bats- rnan's work and I also endeavor to give the retiring pitcher an inning of batting for every inning he pitches. For instance : He is taken out after pitch- ing seven innings against the visiting team. He is then entitled to the result of his team's turn at bat in that inning. The scorer is advised not to bother with this question any more than he is disposed from curiosity, as the doom of the "games won and games lost" system is already sealed and in a very short time this will be but a disquieting memory — a night- mare of past seasons. PROBLEMS. (99) Pitcher removed in eighth with score 5 to 3 in his favor, two out and bases filled. Next batter makes a hit and ties score. Game is finally won by first pitcher's team, 6 to 5. (100) First pitcher has pitched six innings when he is compelled to retire because of being hit on the arm by opposing pitcher while at bat. Score is 3 to 2 in his team's favor when he retires. Second pitcher allows one run in seventh inning, tying the score, and worked until the fourteenth inning, when his team won, 4 to 3. (loi) Pitcher who first worked is ordered out of game by the umpire at the end of the sixth inning, with score 2 to o in his favor. Second pitcher works until the end of the ninth, when he retires with score 2 to 2. Third pitcher works for two innings and game ends 3 to 2 in his favor. (102) First pitcher was taken out at end of fourth inning, with score 4 to o against him. Second pitcher succeeds in having score tied in eighth inning, but his team eventually loses, 9 to 5. (103) First pitcher is taken out at end of second inning with score 2 to o in his favor. Second pitcher works for seven innings and final score is 5 to I in his favor. (104) First pitcher retires at end of third inning with score 4 to 3 in his favor. Second pitcher works for six innings and final result is 7 to 5 in his favor. (105) First pitcher retires at end of sixth inning with score 3 to 2 against him. Second pitcher retired by umpire during eighth inning with score 5 to 4 in his favor. Third pitcher works remainder of game, which ends 6 to 5 against him. (106) First pitcher retires at end of fifth witih score i to o in his favor. Second pitcher retires at end of seventh with score 3 to i against him. Third pitcher finished game, which results 4 to 3 in his favor. (107) First pitcher retires in middle of sixth, with score 4 to 3 in his favor. Only one is out and two runners are on bases. Both runners score before side is retired. Game is finally won, 7 to 5. (108) First pitcher is retired at end of first inning with score 9 to o in his team's favor. Second pitcher finished full game, final score 14 to 8 in his favor. (109) First pitcher retired in middle of first inning with score 3 to o against him. Second pitcher retires at end of eighth with score 14 to 3 in his favor. Third pitcher pitches last inning and game ends 14 to 6 in hia favor. 86 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. ABRUPT TERMINATIONS Occasionally the scorer finds himself up against the unusual problem of whether to include or omit from the score the hap- penings of the uncompleted portion of the last inning or half- inning, when play has been abruptly stopped mid-inning by the elements, or by pr?,vious agreement. A "regulation" game is supposed to naturally extend at least rine full innings, but in case the home team — almost invariably the last team at bat — has made more runs in its eight turns at bat than its opponents have in their nine, the eight and one-half innings are conceded to be a full nine-inning game. Should the nine complete innings be played and the two teams remain a tie, it is customary to continue play until one team or the other forges ahead on even innings, or the umpire decrees that play is no longer advisable. Though tie games can not, of course, count as games won or lost in the cumulative standing of teams, every act is retained in the permanent record of the players taking part. The detailed score of a tie game is just as important from the scorer's standpoint as that obtained from one that goes to a definite decision. The game may not last nine, or even eight and one-half in- rings and yet be regarded as "regulation." "No game" is de- clared if a contest is less than five full innings' duration, or — taking into account the same principle that shortens the nine- inning game to eight and one-half — Unless four and one-half innings have been played. The third provision of Rule 23 makes it possible to stop a game before the minimum of five, or four and one-half innings, has been reached, "if the game be called by the umpire, on ac- count of darkness, rain, fire, panic or for other causes which put patrons or players in peril." In case of abrupt stoppage before the game has extended the legal limit, the umpire must postpone play for a maximum of 30 minutes. If in his judgment play can proceed then, or at any time previous to that limit, well and good. If not, the contest is over. The scorer need not preserve any record of games that do not extend to the regulation limit. Should a game last for four and two-thirds innings under conditions that make it necessary for five full innings to be played, it is "no game" and the individual records taken are not made permanent. It is the "regulation" game that ends abruptly mid-inning or during or at the end of the first half of an inning that calls for discretion as to whether SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 57 the record made since the conclusion of the last even inning shall be erased or shall remain as it stands. The general and only rule on the subject is Rule 25, which reads as follows : If the umpire calls the game in accordance with Rule 22, Section 3, at any time after five innings have been completed, the score shall be that of the last equal innings played, except that if the side second at bat shall have scored in an unequal num- ber of innings or before the completion of the un- finished inning, at least one more than tl]e side first at bat, the score of the game shall be tfie total number of runs each team has made. Concisely, this means that if the side last at bat is ahead when the game is called, even though the team has not had its com- plete turn at bat, the score is retained up to the last second of play. Conversely, if the team last at bat is behind in the com- parative score, all of the unlinished inning is wiped off the slate. It has been the custom, however, to construe the rules broadly enough to include a tie. That is, if the team last at bat suc- ceeds in tying the score during the portion of the inning played, the score shall remain a tie and every individual record stands, rather than to allow the score to revert to the last even innings, if such reversion would cause the team last at bat to lose. PROBLEMS. (no) First team at bat scored one run in early part of game, and com- pleted its half of sixth with score i to o in its favor. During last half of sixth team last at bat scored one run, tying score and with no one out, rain stopped game. (hi) Team first at bat had been blanked for 7 innings. Team last at bat began last half of seventh with score 3 to o in its favor. During seventh it scored one run and, with one out and three on bases, game was called by previous agreement to stop at a certain time. (112) Team first at bat begins sixth inning with score 4 to s against it, but makes three runs in its half, putting score 7 to 5 in its favor. Team last at bat scores no run and two are out when rain stops game. (113) Team first at bat has score of 3 to 2 against it at end of eighth inning. It scores two runs in first half of ninth, making score 4 to 3 in its favor at beginning of last half of ninth. Team last at bat scores one run, tying score, and has one runner on base with one out when rain stops play. (114) Team first at bat ends seventh turn at bat with score 4 to 3 in its favor. Team last at bat scores one run with two out in last half of seventh when darkness causes play to stop. (115) Team first at bat begins seventh inning with score 8 to o in its favor and adds three more runs in first half of seventh, making score 11 to o in its favor. Team last at bat scores nine runs in its half of seventh, has bases filled and one out when play is stopped by previous time agreement. (116) Team first at bat begins seventh inning with score 3 to 2 in its favor, adding one more run in first half of seventh, making score 4 to 2 in its favor. Team last at bat scores two runs, and game is called on account of rain, with none out and none on bases. , SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. MAKING UP THE BOX SCORE The scorer should provide himself before play begins with a scorer's blank book, a blank score sheet and either a fine-pointed fountain pen in good working order or a couple of "hard" pencils, well pointed. If pencils are used, it would be well to have handy the means of renewing a broken or dulled point. The scorer cannot expect to do good work mechanically with im- proper or inferior tools, any more than the player can do good work unless provided with suitable bat, glove and shoes. The correct Imeup of both teams and position of players should be learned and filled in the proper lines on the score blank before play begins. If two players appear with names spelled exactly alike, they should be distinguished by their initials or by their entire first names, if necessary. This is important. Do not fill in the names on the box score sheet until after the game is over, or at least until near its end, for the reason that changes may occur up to the last minute — changes that would jeopardize both neatness and accuracy were the lines already filled in. The scorer should be thoroughly prepared in all these details before the first batter comes to bat, so that he can fix his entire atten- tion upon the play from the time it begins until it ends. Scorers will find that Spalding's Official Base Ball Score Book, devised by Mr. Jacob Morse and the system set forth in it for recording plays in the briefest intelligent form, will be what he needs for perfect mechanical work. The scorer should go about his duties with the same idea as the stenographer — to record matters he should record in the briefest, quickest way possible and yet so clearly that he can refer to his records years after- ward and be able to detail how each player performed during that game at bat, on bases and at his position. Every base a player reaches from the time he steps up to the bat and either scores or is "left," must be clearly set forth. Even the direction in which the batsman hits the ball should be re- corded. Every fly ball and ground ball should be distinguished. Every "out" should be located and if two or more fielders have a hand in it, even the sequence in which those fielders figure should be easily comprehended. If an error occurs, not only the player who made the error and the particular kind of misplay — that is, dropped fly or throw, fumble or bad throw — ^but the prog- ress of the play up to the time the error was committed should be shown. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 69 The efficient scorer will find that his duties are not light, even mechanically. Satisfied that he is correctly posted on what player is at every position and on what player is at bat every moment of the game, he should follow the course of the ball to gain a correct understanding of how the batsman is either retired or reaches first and, when one or more runners are on bases he should have an eye to them to note their advancement. Every bit of play that requires recording should be set down immedi- ately. Delays are dangerous for many reasons. Until the scorer has gained mechanical proficiency by experi- ence it is not advisable for him to take up the box score sheet until the play is entirely over. Far better at the start for him to concentrate his attention upon recording every detail in the score book and to fill out the box score sheet in its entirety at his leisure from the score book. The first step toward simultaneous work of this sort may be taken in recording upon the box score sheet such features as extra base hits, passed balls, double or triple plays, first base on errors, batters given bases on balls or struck out, wild pitches and balks, the names of the umpires and the score by innings. Error is liable to creep in if the scorer attempts, until he has thoroughly mastered the art, to record on his box score sheet as the game progresses the times each batter has been at bat, base hits or runs and the number of put-outs, assists and errors for each fielder. Far better to leave these details for careful reckon- ing later, in quietude and without haste. It is not impossible for the expert to have his box score entirely completed with absolute correctness a moment after the final play, but we would advise that such feats should be left for occasions when necessity makes them compulsory. In the accompanying tables the endeavor has been made to show procedure and what should be accomplished, rather than any particular method of accomplishment. In order that the beginner may understand, all recognized expert symbols have been discarded and plays have been registered either by initials or by base numbers, with a view of calling attention to the proper sequence of mechanical duties. Let us go systematically through the course of the game indicated by plates on the fol- lowing pages : w I Q \o 00 CM a^ iFf ®^ :b? ®; s m! ©5: (§ M 0' M O ^ ^ ^ ^ o U^ H g o X •a: C/5 C/5 \ ■^ ^ n^ ©; ^ \ ©; 05 I I- ©^ ©i ^ \ \ :^ \ ©c^ ?^i \ J-^ ^ \ j^ SAVId 318(100 vK \S k ^ ^ \ ^ ^ ^ SlTVff SSVd AVW SMrtH 3W0H. SIIH 3sva £ SllH 3SV9 Z SHOHHa MO 8 1 sasvfl M0IJ31 C/5 OS H3H31Id JiOHfl I mo H3flMlS siTvaMd sasva S3H3IId OlIAl msim m SHTVa 03H31ld S9NIMN1 N N \ \ I K ^ ^ ^ <^ ^ X ^^ CM snv9 aassvj \ SAVTd CO (D U) _^ CO CM It 0^ SAVia 31A10H U HI 13 ©' ©0) SlIH 3sva c 0! ®^ SllH 3SV9 Z 01 ®; DC "-or or X MOST ^^ ©5 ^)^ ©^ sasve M01J31 0u) ©^ ;c^ ®w @yj| X 9 ©^ .©: ©?© r X O 0- ©• C/5 -a: too cvliO H3H31lc{ J JO Ha U9 g fiQ ^ ^ <^ ^ ^ 4 ^ ^ )^ ^ lao M3aais N 06 ^ \ V \ X ^ siTvaMd sasva ^ _0-_ .\ NC^ :^; «^>. \ ^ ::k ^ S3H3Ild mm \ \ ^ I<^ Cse yi.W!Siva ilH ^ ^^ 0Q C/5 \ \ c/a \ \ SMiva \ a3H3iia S9MMNI V 62 SrALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. First Inning — The scorer has, to begin with, only his blank page in the score book. Before the game begins he has entered the lineup, with the position of each man on both teams. Origin- ally the names of the Oriole team extended only as far as Adkins. The Ex-Orioles went no farther than Hoffer's name. The Orioles bat first. As play is called, glance at the watch and note the exact time. Glance at the Ex-Orioles in the field and see that the positions and names are recorded correctly. Another glance assures that Hall is up, as should be. He strikes out. If you are extending your put-outs on your score book immedi- ately, indicate the put-out for the catcher by means of a dot. Do not fail to record in the summary of the box score sheet the credit of a strike-out for Hoffer and that it was Hall who struck out. Kelly makes a single to left and would have been put oui trying to stretch the hit to a double had not Doyle dropped Kelly's throw. The single should be properly marked in the B. H. column, showing by the exponent that it was made in the first inning. Note that Kelly gets an assist, extending it at once, if you are pursuing that method, by means of the regulation dot. Extend also immediately the error against Doyle, indicating by the exponent that it occurred in the first inning and by the "D-T" that it was a dropped throw. O'Hara scratches in from of the plate, permitting the catcher to field the ball to the third baseman, who puts out Kelly going up from second. O'Hara i.s accordingly marked as having reached first on a Force Hit, to be left on first when Hearne fouls out to the catcher. Now that the half inning is over, if you have not previously extended them, "post up" the put-outs and assists to the Ex- Orioles who made them. When you have done this, always prove the account by adding the total number of put-outs— in this cas^ three. Any more or any less will show that there is an error somewhere, which should be corrected before the next half-inning starts. As the Orioles have now taken the field, note whether each is stationed at the position for which he is recorded on the score book. See also whether Keeler is the first at bat, as recorded. He is "saved" by a fumble by Hunter. Mark the "hrst-on-errors" at the proper place in the summary of the box score sheet. Hall makes an unexpected catch of Gleason's difficult fly -and Keeler is doubled up by the throw to first base. Mark the double play in the summary. Kelley dies, pitch to first. Credit up at onco the put-outs and assists to the Orioles resulting from the half and prove by addition the correctness of the put-outs. Second Inning — Look over the fielding stations and at the man 5it bat for changes. For the Orioles, Hunter singles to centre, but is iorced by Dunn's ground hit to short. Burrell singles to SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 63 centre, and Dunn reaches third as the third baseman drops the throw of the centrefielder, relayed by the shortstop. As this is another of those apt-to-be-overlooked cases of unefifective as- sists, the centrefielder and shortstop would better be credited an assist at once, also charging the error against Reitz. Beach forces Burrell, second to short and soon afterward Dunn is caught between third and the plate, on an attempted double steal, catch,_ to pitch, to third, to catch. Note that the catcher gets an assist, and a put-out also on the same play, and that Beach, even though he probably succeeded in reaching second base, is not to be credited with a stolen base, but is regarded as having been left on first. Extend your put-outs and the assists not already extended, making sure that the total put-outs tally six. Examine each position as the teams change to see that no substitutions have been made. Doyle, the first batter up, draws four balls and is sacrificed to second by Brodie, who bunts to third and is thrown out at first. Reitz grounds out, second to first, advancing Doyle to first, where he is left on Clark's ground out, short to first. As soon as Brodie made his sacrifice hit, it should have been credited to him in the summary of the box-score sheet, where the base on balls to Doyle had been just previously set down. There remains now to extend the three put-outs and the three assists, making the correct tally of put-outs six to date. The runner left on base should also be added to the summary. Third Inning — Examine the fielders and the batsman for changes as usual. Adkins begins by bunting safely toward third and he is sacrificed to second by Hall, who goes out first to second, who covers the bag. Kelly strikes out. (Place both sacrifice and strike-out in the summary at once.) O'Hara gets four balls (Charge Hoffer a base on balls in the summary), but is forced by Hearne. Add the two men left on bases at the proper place in the summary and credit the put-outs and assists. There should be nine put-outs to date. For the Ex-Orioles Robinson opens with a single to centre and Hoffer sacrifices. (Credit the sacrifice in the summary at once.) Keeler singles to left, sending Robinson to third, from where he scores and Keeler takes second, on a passed ball. (Charge Hearne with a passed ball at once in the summary.) The next two men strike out. Add the one m,an left and extend the put-outs, noting that the total put-outs must be nine. Do not overlook the necessity for crediting Adkins with the two strike-outs he has earned. Fourth Inning— Don't forget to look over the various stations for changes. Hunter starts on a hit by a pitched ball. Charge this at once against the pitcher in the summary. Dunn sacrifices. 64 SPALDINGiS ATHLETIC LIBRARY which also should be recorded in the summary at once. Burrell hits to the shortstop, whose throw to third puts out Hunter, trying to advan.c^ Burrell steals second (credit the stolen base at once in the summaryii) and reaches third on Beach's short single to centre. Both are left as they stand, when Adkins grounds out to the pitcher, who throws to first. Tab up the two men left on bases, extend the three additional put-outs and the assist, noting that the total put-outs must number 12. Look over the various ^positions, as usual. For the Ex- Orioles, Doyle strikes out (put it in the summary at once), Brodie grounds to the pitcher and is thrown out at first. Reitz gets a base on balls (charge it in'^the summary at once) only to be caught trying to steal. Extend the three put-outs and the two assists, noting whether the total number of put-outs is still correct. Fifth inning. As usual keep the eyes doing sentinel duty so as to note any fielding changes the moment made. Hall begins by scratching safely toward second, but is caught trying to steal. Kelly is easy, second to first, and, though O'Hara singles to centre, he is also caught trying to steal. Extend the three put-outs and assists, making the correct total of put-outs now 15. Look at the Orioles as they take their positions. The Ex- Orioles go out in one-two-three order, without any feature of note. The beginning of the sixth inning rewards the vigilance of the scorer in watching for changes in fielding positions. Gleason and Doyle have changed places. Though often done, the scorer should not confuse the field chances of either man in one of his positions with the chances of the same man in the other position. In other words, Doyle, second baseman, is to all intents and purposes another individual when he becomes Doyle, shortstop. The careful scorer will accordingly see that when one fielder occupies more than one fielding position durnig the same game his put-outs, assists and errors are kept separated for each position so occupied. It can best be done on the score book by dividing the space allotted to the fielder as in the ac- companying plate. Hearne, batting first, is passed on four balls (charge against pitcher in summary) only to be forced by Hunter. Hunter is also forced, as Dunn sends a short fly into right that seems likely to 'be caught. That the ball dropped safely does not give Dunn a safe hit, for Hunter is easily forced at second by the right fielder's throw at that base. Burrell flies to right. Tab up the one runner left and extend the three new put-outs, and the new assists, making 18 put-outs in all. For the Ex-Orioles, Kceler dies on a grounder to short, GkasQn bunts safely toward third and goes to second on Kelley's SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 65 out, third to first. Doyle comes up with a three-bagger (mark down a three-base hit for Doyle in the summary at once), scor- ing Gleason. . Doyle himself scores on Brodie s bunt toward third — so unexpected that it proved the effective thing. Brodie is later caught trying to steal. Extend the put-outs and assists. Seventh inning. Beach pops a fly to Hofifer. Adkins is given a life when Brodie drops a fly in his direction. (Put down at once the error for Brodie, indicating the dropped fly and also record the "first on error" in the summary. Adkins takes sec- ond on a balk, which should be charged against the pitcher in the summary immediately. Hall grounds out, short to first, but fails to advance Adkins. Adkins scores, however, on Kel- ly's three-bagger to left. (Credit Kelly with a three-base hit in the summary at once.) O'Hara follows with a single to left, that scores Kelly. Hearne's short single to right only gets O'Hara as far as second and both are left in their tracks when Hunter grounds out to first, unassisted. Add the two men left on bases and extend the three new put-outs and assists. The total put-outs should now be 21. The Ex-Orioles' half presents no feature of special note, Dtmn opens the first half of the eighth with a single to left and takes second on a wild pitch. (Charge up the wild pitch.) Burrell doubles to centre, scoring Dunn. The two-base hit should be credited to Burrell in the summary at once. A passed ball puts Burrell- on third (charge up the passed ball) before Beach draws four balls (charge against Hoffer at once). Adkins singles to right, scoring Burrell and sending Beach to third. Hall draws four balls (charge Hoffer in the summary), which moves Ad- kins along to second and Kelly's sacrifice fly scores Beach and allows Adkins to reach third on the throw-in. Credit for the sacrifice fly should be given Kelly in the summary at once. O'Hara and Hall are doubled and the double play should be recorded in the summary at once. Add the one man left on base and extend the three put-outs and the assists. The put- outs now total 24, if correctly extended. Keeler opens with a two-bagger to right, which should be set down in the summary at once. Gleason is given four balls and a double steal ensues. Burchell replaces Adkins in the box. The scorer should indicate how many runners are on bases and on what bases they are, when the change of pitchers occurs mid-inning. • In this case the "X" indicates that Ke'eler was on third and Gleason on second when Burchell stepped to the mound. Burchell, in endeavoring to catch Keeler ofif third base, throws just badly enough to allow Keeler to score and thereby gets an error, even though Gleason, trying to gain third on the play, is out. The next two batsmen strike out, which should be put to Burchell s credit in the summary. 66 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. The last inning for the Orioles starts out with a safe scratch to the pitcher by Hearne, and he scores when Hunter places a home run in far right field. Credit Hunter with a home run in the summary immediately. Dunn is hit by the pitcher (charge Hoffer in the summary). Burrell flies to centre. Beach grounds out to first, unassisted, allowing Dunn to advance to second. Burchell gets four balls and, with Dunn, a double steal is exe- cuted. (Charge the base on balls and credit the stolen bases in the summary.) While Hall is at bat, Robinson muffs a foul fly and is charged with an error at once, even though Hall is out on the next ball delivered, third to first. Credit the put- outs and assists, noting that the correct number of put-outs must be 27, Add in, also, the two runners left on bases. Brodie begins the last half inning of the game with a base on balls, which should be charged at once against Burchell, as should also the wild pitch that allows Brodie to reach second. Reitz strikes out and it should be credited to Burchell at once, even though Hearne drops the ball and is compelled to make the throw to first. Clarke hits to Beach, who makes a bad throw, allowing Brodie to score and Clarke to reach third. Extend the error at once and charge the balk which allows Clarke to score, at once against Burchell. Robinson gets four balls — another charge to be made at once against Burchell. Hoffer should bat next, but he drops out in order to allow Brouthers to come up. Brouthers drives the ball between first and second, but Robinson, who is running down, cannot avoid being hit by the ball and is automatically out. The play has to be "starred." In other words, no fielder can be given the put-out, and the total number of put-outs for that side must remain one short in consequence. It must also be remembered by the scorer that Brouthers receives credit for a safe hit — a single — under the circumstances. A base on balls to Keeler (don't forget to charge it and the wild pitch that follows). Brouthers is now on third and Keeler on second. Gleason hits the ball into the right-field bleachers. As the score is 7 to 6 when this feat is performed, only two more runs are necessary to win, which are scored when Keeler crosses the plate from second base. Gleason, therefore, can only get credit for a two-base hit, as the game ends when he has touched second base and he has thus driven Keeler ahead of him, as it were, two bases — the dis- tance required to cross the 'plate with the winning run. Note the moment play is over by the same watch used previously and record elapsed time. The one put-out of the half should be extended and the score-sheet will be short two of the regular number of put-outs — one for the runner hit by the batted ball and the other because but two were out when the winning run SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY, 67 crossed the plate. A foot-note covering both unusual features must be made, as well as another note that Brouthers batted for Hoffer in the ninth inning. The scorer will now find that his extensions can be readily- made. Runnin^g across the work of each batter, he can distin- guish at a glance whether the batsman should not be chargeil technically with a time at bat. Keeler's base on balls in the ninth cuts his total down to four. Gleason's base on balls in the eighth has the same effect. Kelly's goes as it stands, but Doyle's base on balls reduces his total to three. Brodie's total is reduced to two by reason of a sacrifice and a base on balls, and so down the list. Add the extensions and prove whether the work is correct in a very simple way. The total of the at-bat column must equal the actual number of times the bat- ters of each team have been at bat, less the total of the passes and sacrifices recorded. If it does not, the error is in either the times at bat, or .in the sacrifice hits or other particular ex- emptions. In this case, for instance, the entire nine batsmen show that each was actually at bat 4 times — or 36 — and two over — 38 in all to face the pitcher. The exemptions are sacri- fices, bases on balls and hit-by-pitched ball. We find that Adkins and Burchell together allowed 6 passes and that two sacrifices were made by the batsmen under consideration — in all, 8 ex- emptions. Deducting 8 from 38, we have 30, the number of at- bats already figured out. So it is safe to believe that there is no error. So, to prove the correctness of the at-bat figures for the other team, we find that the nine men were at bat five times each and one over — total, 46. The passes are two hit batsmen, 5 bases on balls and 3 sacrifices— a total of 10. Deducting 10 from 46, we have 36, the number already found by extension. The extension of the runs is a simple proposition, but the scorer should not, through carelessness, allow the footing of the run columns to differ from the extensions of his runs-by-innings in another part of the box score sheet. The base hits should be already in shape to foot up, as they have been extended at the time each was made by the iDatsman. The put-outs are in the form of dots, in each player's space. Add up the dots in each space and mark the result in plain figures. Perform the same office with the assists. The errors should already be in shape, just as the safe hits. The scorer is now ready to transfer the results of his score book to the box score sheet, but before doing so he may as well prove one other feature susceptible of proof — the number of runners left on bases. The scorer should have a record of the runners left on bases, either on his score book or on his box rs SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. score sheet, jotted down at the close of each half inning. To pro\;e whether his work is correct, take the number of actual (not technical) batsmen as already found and subtract the sum of the put-outs and runs scored. For instance : The Orioles had 46 men actually at bat, as was ascertained previously. They made 7 runs and 27 of them were put out — a total of 34 men accounted for. Deducting 34 from 46, we find that 12 must have been left on bases. Taking up the other side, 38 men faced the pitcher. Eight of these crossed the plate, and 26 were put cut — 34 in all — leaving 4 who must have remained stranded on bases. The box score sheet should appear like the accompanying one on the opposite page when completed. It will be noted that two lines are used for the one player when he has had to switch from one position to the other, as Gleason and Doyle in this game. The only other thing neces- sary to impress is the necessity of care in copying. In the matter of the pitchers' summary, for instance, in an eight and one-half-inning game, the scorer who is careless will allow himself to say that each pitcher has pitched 9 innings when one has pitched but 8. So when two or more pitchers appear for one or both of the two teams, the scorer should take care that the total of the work of the two or more pitchers is exactly the total of the various corresponding items as they appear in the "box" above, or in the summary beneath. In transcribing from the score book, set down the figures for each player, but do not copy the totals. Rather make the addi- tions independently from the figures copied, thus giving a check on the correctness of the transcription. Be sure especially that' the put-outs total the required number for a game of the length the score by innings indicates, and, if they do not, see that the reason is adequately explained by the foot-notes. If the game is shortened for any reason, a foot-note should explain why. mO^ OFFICIAL SCORE Of Game of Base Ball for the Championship of the Played in the City oi J^'U^^trtoo^tJU on ^^^^^^/yr^^^/Sf/foy- dh^^^^^^i^ J. B. C. and the <^'Pr-(^?'t^>iji<^ —^^.. 1 AB ~R iH TB SH SF SB PO X E PUyer. AB r^ BH F SH pFl SB PO A El y/a-^.y^^./. /^ O / / / <3 «^ ;? ■2. 3 o ^ / y y ^ ytiUe^. // >s^ / 2 ^ <5 / c3 o o o >^ / 2. J o O / / 3. ^1 &y^cty7yt:t.. T^ ^ o 2. 2- o o o / o o '■ ^^ 3. , 0-; -// ^ « / 2. i o o O C 3 o 7p^^,^ >=U^, cV 2. / X / / o o /■ / / /^a.e^. Ai^ ■9 / / / o o o 3 ^ f /(iiuy^.Jl^ J o O o o <5 o Z. J f a.M:c^. ^ ■9 / X a. o e c o ^ o -^.^^i^^CC,/^ M / O o o O o 7 X o /3i.caye^^t/C^ O o O o o o / O / , /^T^-;c*<»7c, e. 3 / i. ■3. o o o ^ ^ / t— •— jr yU/^, y^- Z.

^ 70 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. APPENDIX ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS ON BASE-HITS AND ERRORS, (i) Charge error against shortstop. (2) Credit batter base-hit. (3) Charge third baseman an error. (4) Credit batsman with a hit. (5) Charge infielder with an error. (6) Credit batsman with a safe hit for as many bases as he gains. (7) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (8) Credit batsman with a safe hit for one base. (9) Charge infielder who made throw with an error. % (Throws from com- para^^ively short range are supposed to be on a 'line. The fact that the ball touched the ground makes it an imperfect throw.) (10) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (11) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (12) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (13) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (Error of omission, for which no charge can properly be made.) (14) Charge second baseman with an error. (15) Charge fielder who dropped ball with an error. (16) Charge catcher an error immediately. (17) Charge pitcher with a base on balls and a wild pitch, but no other form of error. (18) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (19) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (20) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (21) Batsman does not get credit for a safe hit. (22) Neither safe hit nor error is to be recorded. (23) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (24) Credit batsman with a two-base hit. (25) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (26) Credit batsman with a safe hit. (Put-out at first is illegal, as ball is dead from the moment it strikes the umpire.) (27) (a) No error. (b) Charge shortstop with an error. ON SACRIFICE HITS AND FLIES. C28) Not a sacrifice, but a safe hit and time at bat. (29) (a) Sacrifice fly. (b) Sacrifice fly. (30) Not a sacrifice hit. Charge batsman a time at bat. Runner advances from first to second on the put-out. (31) Not a sacrifice hit, as batsman swung hard at the ball. (32) Credit half man with a safe hit. (33) Not a sacrifice fly, as no runner scored. (34) Not a sacrifice fly, as runner failed to score. (35) Sacrifice hit for the batsman. (36) (a) Not a sacrifice hit. (b) Not a sacrifice hit. Charge error to the shortstop. (37) Credit batsman with a safe hit. SrALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 71 ON FIELDER'S CHOICE AND FORCE HIT. (38) Batsman reaches fir: t and runner scores on fielder's choice. (39) Runner forced at second on a force hit, batsman reaching first on the play. (40) Batsman reaches first on the force hit. (41) Batsman reaches first on the force hit and no error is charged. (42) Batsman reaches first on the force hit. (43) Unlike the five cases immediately preceding, is not necessarily a fielder's choice, depending tipon whether the fly was dropped inten- tionally or unintentionally. It makes no difference, however, as no error is scored and the batsman reaches first on the force hit. (44) "Very liberal scoring will make this a safe hit for the batsman. Very strict scoring would allow nothing but a fielder's choice to account for both bases advanced. The medium course would be to allow the batsman a sacrifice hit, exempting him from a time at bat. (45) As in the immediately preceding case, very liberal scoring would allow the batsman a sai'^e hit. Unlike that case, however, there is no chances to allow the batsman a sacrifice hit and the only other course is to score both runners as advancing on a fielder's choice, charging the batsman a time at bat. The first alternative presented is desirable in this case. (46) Fielder's choice on which batsman should be credited with a sacrifice hit, ON PUT-OUTS AND ASSISTS. (47) Give third baseman and shortstop an assist each and second baseman a put-out. (48) Credit shortstop, third baseman, catcher, second baseman and pitcher with an assist each and credit shortstop with the put-out also. (49) Both runner and batsman are safe. As ball struck fielder before striking base runner, this is not a case of ball striking a base runner. (50) Give catcher credit for a put-out and credit pitcher with a strike-out. The batsman is technically out on the foul and not the fly catch. (Si)'Runner advancing from first to second is out, second baseman getting credit for the put-out. (52) (a) Credit outfielder an assist and shortstop a put-out. In this case the outfielder does not get charged with an error, (b) Charge out- fielder an error for allowing batsman to reach first base. Then credit outfielder with an assist and shortstop with a put-out for making the play at second base. (53) Credit pitcher with a put-out. (This play is cited because some scorers are erroneously imbued with the idea that when a fielder fields the ball and has to run to his opponent to touch him out, or has to run to a base to make a force out he is entitled to both an assist and a put-out. The plea is ingenious and not without a certain degree of plausibility, but cannot be allowed.) (54) (a) Credit catcher with the put-out. Though ball may be picked up by the first baseman, he cannot make the put-out. (b) Credit player with the put-out. (55) No. 3 can legally finish No. 4's turn at bat, beginning his attempt with two strikes and two balls. (56) Right fielder should be charged with an error, as he was at fault in noi: making the put-out at the first opportunity ofl'ered. Right fielder should next be credited with an assist and first baseman charged with an error. (57) Batsman is credited with a safe hit and base runner is out. Foot- note should be made stating that —. (insert name of runner) was out, hit by 's (insert name of batsman) batted ball in inning. (58) Play stands as recorded, in every respect, and error has not been discovered in time to demand a penalty. No. 5's record On book remains blank for the turn. 72 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. (59) Technical infield fly and batsman is out. Credit first baseman with the put-out. (60) Credit with an assist each the shortstop, catcher, third baseman, pitcher and first baseman. Charge third baseman an error for not com- pleting the play by reason of dropping the ball. Next credit the third baseman with a put-out for making the new and separate play of putting out the runner who has advanced from second and is illegally attempting to hold base already pre-empted by the farther advanced runner. ON TIMES AT BAT. (61) A scratch cannot be a sacrifice and even though runner advances, batsman must be charged with a time at bat. (62) Runner is not advanced, batsman cannot be credited with a sacrifice hit, and is consequently not exempt from a time at bat. (63) Batsman must be charged with a time at bat, as a sharp-hit ball cannot be a sacrifice hit. (64) Credit batsman with a sacrific fly and exempt him from a time at bat. Left fielder is not charged with an error, as he retrieves his prac- tical error by forcing runner at second. (6s) Credit batsman with a sacrifice hit and exempt him from a time at bat. (66) Not a sacrifice hit, and batsman must be charged a time at bat. It is a plain force and the runner advances from first to second on the put-out. (67) Credit the batsman with a sacrifice hit and exempt him from a time at bat. (68) Credit batsman with a sacrifice hit and exempt him from a time at bat. (69) Individual judgment must govern a case of this kind. The liberal scorer will call it a sacrifice hit and exempt th^ batsman from a time at bat. The shortstop will not be given an error. Less lib- eral scorers will call the play a force, charge the shortstop with an error and charge the batsman a time at bat. The first-named procedure should have the preference. (70) Batsman takes first on the catcher's interference and is exempt from the charge of a time at bat. (71) Not a sacrifice hit, as no runner scores from third. Batsman should be charged with a time at bat. ON SCORING RUNS. (72) Run does not count. (73) Run does not count. (74) Run counts. (75) Run counts. (76) Run counts. (77) Run counts. (78) Run does not count. (79) Runner cannot score unless second and first bases were also occu- pied when batsman hit the ball. (80) Run counts and all runners are compelled to advance one base. (81) Run will not be permitted to score. ON DOUBLE PLAYS AND STOLEN BASES. (82) Double play. (83) Double play. (84) Double play (8s) Double play. (86) Double play. (87) Not a double play. (88) Double play. SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 73 (89) Stolen base. (90) Not a stolen base. Runner advances on the out. (91) Not a stolen base. Charge the shortstop with an error and credit the catcher with an assist. (92) Not a -stolen base. (93) Not a stolen base. Runner advances on the fly-out. (94) Stolen base and error for the catcher. (95) Not a stolen base. Runner advances two bases on the safe hit. (96') Neither runner is credited with a stolen base. (97) Neither runner is credited witl) a .stolen base. They advance on the passed ball. (98) Runner who scores is not credited with a stolen base. He scores on the put-out following the attempted steal of runner on first. ON CREDIT OR CHARGE OF PITCHERS. (99) Credit second pitcher. (100) Credit second pitcher, (joi) Credit third pitcher. (102) Charge second pitcher. {103) Credit first pitcher. (.104) Credit second pitcher. (105) Charge third pitcher. (106) Credit third pitcher. (107) Credit second pitcher. (jo8) Credit first pitcher. (109) Credit second pitcher. ON ABRUPT TERMINATIONS, (iio) Game stands i to i tie. Records remain up to the last moment of play. Game ends with score 4 to 3. Records remain up to the last moment of play. Game ends with even fifth inning, score 5 to 4 in favor of last team at bat. All records during sixth inning must be erased. Game ends with even seventh inning, score 3 to 2 in favor of team last at bat. All records made during eighth inning must be erased. Game ends a 4 to 4 tie. All records are retained up to the last moment of play. Game ends with even sixth innning, score 8 to o in favor of team first at bat. All records made in seventh inning must be erased. (116) Game ends 4 to 4 tie. All records are retained up to the last moment of play. (I 12) (1 13) (114) (I 15) Cutting the Corners of the Home Plate may be all right for some pitch- ers, but they **take a chance," and that is how some base ball goods are made — something is skimped — a chance is taken. Spalding Base Ball Goods are made to a standard — the stand- ard of satisfaction — and noth- ing is left to chance. Managers, Players and "Fans" should send for a copy of the new Spalding Catalogue for 1915. It contains pictures and prices of everything used in the national game. Mailed free from any Spalding store (for one nearest to you, see inside front cover). sSbK THE SPALDING' TRADE-MARK ^"K^^ The Spalding' 'Official National League" Ball PATENT CORK CENTER Adopted by The National League in 1878 and is the only ball used in Champion- ship games since that time and, as made now with Patent Cork Center, has been adopted for twenty years more, making a total adop- tion of fifty-four years. This ball has the SPALDING "PATENT" CORK CEN- TER, the same as used since August I, 1910, without change in size of cork or construction. Same ball ex- actly as used in World Series Games of 1910. 1911, 1912 1913 and 1914. No.l Each, - - $1.25 Per Dozen, $15.00 Each ball wrapped in tinfoil, packed in a separate box, and sealed in accordance with the latest League regulations. Warranted to last a .full game when used under ordinary conditions. THE SPALDING "OFFICIAL NATIONAL LEAGUE' HAS BEEN THE OFFICIAL BALL OF THE GAME SINCE 1878 SpaldiBg Complete Catalogue ol Alhletic Goods Mailed Free. BALL PROMPT AnENTIOH TO ANY COMMUNICA] ADDRESSED TO A.G.SPALDING & BROS. STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES COMPLETE UST OF STORES ON INSIDE FPT COVER OF THIS BOOK "Plica in tffccl January 5, I9lp- ^ Subject to ehangt Wilhvul notice. Far Canadian firicci see special Canadian Cataltgu^ ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE MiililiHi'/fil.'llliliiSI Spalding "Official National League" Jr. Ball Reg.U.S Pat.Off. PATENT CORK CENTER Patented August 31, 1909 Made witH horSe hide cover and in every respect, including patent cork center, same as our " Official National League" («:f;^i|:) Ball No. 1, except slightly smaller in size. Especially de- signed for junior clubs (composed of boys under 16 years of age) and all games in which this ball is used will be recognized as legal games. Warranted to last a full game when used under ordinary conditions. No. Bl. "Official National League" Jr. Ke..OS.Pa,.Off. £^^^.$1.00 Spalding' Double Seam League Ball Pure Para Rubber Center "Sewed with double seam, rendering it doubly secure against ripping. The most durable ball made. Horse hide pure Para rubber center, wound with best all-wool yarn. Warranted to last a full game when used under ordinary conditions, but usually good for two or more garhes. No. 0. Each, $1.25 Dozen, $15.00 ifpROIIIPTAnEHTiONGIVE I TOANYCOMMUNICATIO Spalding Complete Catalogue of Athletic Goods Mailed Free. A.G.SPALDING & BROS. STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES COMPLETE LIST OF STORES ON INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THIS BOO! Vllttt In tfftti /anuatjf $, 19 tS &i^«c( <« ehang4 uHthul mlitt. Fei Canadian t I ftcul Canadian CalaltlUtt ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTE )Aiili!ili/itlil!4a{ifi PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO ANY COMMUNICATIONS ADORESSED TO US Spalding League Rubber Center Ball No. IRC. Horse hide cover, pure Para rubber center, wound With best all wool yarn, double stitched red and green. Each, $1.00 Dozen, $12.00 Spalding National Association Jr. No. B2. Horse hide cover, pure Para rubber center, wound with best all wool yarn. Slightly under regulation size. Best Junior size ball made. Each, 7Sc. Spalding College League Rubber Center No. 2RC. Horse hide cover, and rUbber center wound with yarn. Full size and weight. . . Each, 75c. Dozen, $9.00 ^bove balls warranted to last a full game when used under ordinary conditions. Spalding Professional No. 3RC. Horse hide cover ; full size. Carefully selected material; warranted first class quality. Put up in separate box and sealed. .... Each, 50c, Spalding Boys* League No. B3. Junior size ball. Horse hide cover, rubber center wound with yarn. For practice by boys' teams. Each, 50c. Spalding Junior League No. B4. Horse hide cover; smaller than regulation size; rubber center. Each, 25c. Spalding Junior Professional No. 7B. Slightly under regular- size. Horse hide cover and is very lively. In separate box and sealed. . Each, 25c. Spalding King of the Diamond No. 5. Full size; made of good material and horse hide cover; put up in separate box and sealed Each, 25c. Spalding Lively Bounder No. 10. Horse hide cover. Inside is all rubber, making it very lively. Ea., 25c. Spalding Boys' Amateur Ball No. 11. Nearly regulation size and weight. Best ball for the money on the market. Each ball trade marked. . Each, 10c. Spalding Boys' Favorite Ball ^ No. 12. Good lively boys' size ball; two- piece cover. . ,, j ,' , , Each, 10c. Spalding Rocket Ball No. 13. A good bounding-ball, boys' size. Best 5 - cent two-piece cover ball on the market. .... . , . Each, 5c. A.G.SPALDING /^*«^*'n4. Short bat _:: UO handle, but body quite thick. Weights from 38 to 42 ounces. AUTOGRAPH !-*"«"> 32 inches. MODLL Wecanalsosupplyon 1 ever produced. Medium spccialordersDonlin, face. Equally s^iVablliViMh'eluiUwInl Oakcs, Keeler a tt d -,;„„., p,., andforthechokestyleof baiting. VVeights EverS ModelS, AUTOGRAPH MODEL The smallest, short, est and lightest bat used by any profes. Specially adapted to small WeighU from 35 to 39 ounces. /rom 40 to 45 ounces. Length 34 inches. '-•■•^•■•^ ...ivyu^.o. Length 31 SPALDING SPECIAL MODEL BATS We can supply on special orders Model Bats same as we have made for the most famous batsmen on National and American League Teams. MEYERS^ New York. National League .... Model M Model B Modfl C Model D Model F Model H Model L PASKERT. Philadelphia. National League SPEAKER. Boston. American League .... Mod? THOMAS. Philadelphia. American League . . . Model WHEAT. Brooklyn. National League .... Model BAKER. Philadelphia. An CALLAHAN, Chicago. A DAUBERT. Brooklyn. Na FLETCHER. New YaiV^tSatiopalUazue HERZOG, Cincinnati. NalionatLeague LUDERUS. Philadelphia, National Leagu The original models from which we have turned bats for the above players we hold at our Bat Factory,. making duplicates on special order only. These special order bats do not bear the Players' Autographs. We require at least two weeks' time for the execution of special bat orders. Spalding Special Model Bats. Professional Oil Finish. Not Carried in Stock. Each, $1.00 hould not be - oiled finish eat all times. Spalding bats improve with age if properly c^ed for. Bats made specially to ordi used for at least thirty (30) days after they are finished, to give ample time for to thoroughly harden. Players should make it a rule to have two or more bats in re PROMPT AHENTION 6IVI TOANYCOMMIJNICATIOI AODRESSED TO US i A.G.SPALDING & BROS. i STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES ICOMPIETE LIST OF STORES OM INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THIS BOOK 'Ptictt in effect Jonuarf) 5, 191,5. Subject to change wiihoul notice. For Canadian prices tee apecigl Canadian Catalogue. s*Sbs?[tuTeTHE SPALDING' TRADE-MARK ^"r,Vv^^ Spalding "All Star" Model Bats No. lOOS. This line for 1915 comprises twelve models specially designed for amateur players and selected from models of bats used by over five hundred leading batters during the past ten years. Quality of wood used is finest selected second growth Northern ash, air dried and treated as follows: yellow stained, mottled burnt, carefully filled, finished with best French polish. , Each. $1.00 Furnished in any of the following twelve models— Mention model number when ordering LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT Model SI -31 in. 35 to 39 oz. Model S5— 34 in. 40 to 44 oz. Model S9 -35 in. 40 to 45 oz. Model S2~34'.; in. 40to45oz. ModelS6-33 in. 38to43oz. Model SIC— 33 in. 37 to 43 oz. ModelS3— 31'.. in. 38 to 42 oz. Model S7-33 in. 37 to 43 oz. Model SI 1—35 in. 42 to 46 oz. Model S4— 32 V, in. 40 to 45 oz. Model S8-34 in. 39to44oz. Model S12-33 in. 40 to 44 oz. Spalding Professional Improved Oil Finish Bats No. lOOP. The Spalding Professional Improved Oil Finish as used on this line is the result of exhaustive experiments and tests conducted in our bat factory, with the assistance of some of the greatest professional players. The timber used is identical with that in "Players' Autograph" and "All Star" models. Each, $1.00 Furnished in any of the following twelve models— Mention model number when ordering LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT Model PI— 31 in. 35 to 39 oz. Model P5— 34 in. 40to44oz. Model P9-34; i in. 40 to45oz. Model P2- 33 in. 38 to 43 oz. Model P6-35 in. 40to44oz. ModelPlO-34 in. 38 to 42 oz. Model P3 -33 in. 39 to 44 oz. Model P7-34 , in. 39 to43oz. Model PI 1-35 in. 45 to 50 oz. Model P4-33 in. 36 to 40 oz. ModelPS— 34?4^in. 38to43oz. ModelPlZ— 35 in. 40to45oz. Spalding Black Oil-Tempered Bats No. lOOD. These bats are tempered in hot oil and afterwards treated with a special process which darkens and hardens the surface and has exactly the same effedt as aging from long service. The special treatment these bats are subjected to make them most desirable for players who keep two or three bats in use, as the oil gradually works in and the bats keep improving. Line of models has been very carefully selected. Timber used is the sime as-in our "Players' Autograph, " "All Star." "Professional Oil Finish" and Gold Medal lines. . . Each, $1,00 Furnished in ar.y of the following twelve models — Mention model number when ordering LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT Model Dlr- 31 in. 35 to 39 oz. Model D5-34 in. 40to44oz. Model D9-34;;in. 40lo45oz. Model D2-33 in. 38 to 43 oz. ModelD6— 35 in. 40to44oz. ModelDlO-34 in. 38 to 42 oz. Model- D3- 33 in. 39 to 44 oz. Model D7— 34 in. 39 to 43 oz. Model Dl 1—35 in. 45 to 50 oz. Model D4-'33 in. 36 to 40 oz. Model D8—34?j in. 38to43oz. ModelD12-.-35 in. 40to45oz. Spalding Gold Medal Natural Finish Bats No. lOOG. Models same as our "Professional Oil Finish," but finished in a high French polish, with no staining. Timber is same as in our "Players' Autograph," "All Star." and other highest quality lines, and models duplicate in lengths, weights, etc., the line of Spalding "Professional Oil Finish" styles. . . . Each, $1.00 Furnished in any of the following twelve models— Mention model number when ordering LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT Model Nl -31 in. 35 to 39 oz. Model N5- 34 in. 40to44oz. Model N9— 34>ark Brown Special Taped Bats No lOOB. Very dark brown stained, almost black, except twelve inches of the handle left perfectly natural, with no finish except filled and hand-rubbed smooth, and then beginning four inches from end of handle, five inches of electric tape, wound on bat to produce perfect non-slip grip. Each, $1.00 Furnished in any of the following six models— Mention model number, when ordering LENGTH WEIGHT LENGTH WEIGHT; LENGTH WEIGHT ModelBl. 31in. 35 to 40 oz. Model B3. 32'^in. 37to41oz. * Bottle shape. Spalding bats improve with age if properly cared for. Bats made specially to order should not be used for at least thirty (^0) days after they are finished, to give ample time for the oiled finish to thoroughly. harden. Players should make it a rule to have two or more bats in reserve at all times. Spalding Trade-Mark Bats No. 75. Wagon Tongue. Most popular models, light antique finish. One dozen in a crate (assorted lengths, 30 to 35 inches and weights, 36 to 42 ounces). ^ Each, 75c. No. 50M. Mushroom. A!,;.'T'vi,i Special finish. Invaluable as anall-around bat. . Each, 50c. No. F. "Fungo." Hardwood. 38 inches long, thin model. Professional oil finish. . Each, $1.00 No. SOW. "Fungo." Willow, light weight, full size bat, plain handle Each, 50c. No. 50T. Taped "League" ash, extra quality, special finish Each, 50c. No. 50. "League," ash, plain handle. " 50c. No. 25. "City League," plain handle. " 25c. No. SOB. "Spalding Junior," special finish. Specially sel- ected models ; lengths , and weights proper for younger players. . . . Each, SOc. No. 25B. "Junior League," plain, extra quality ash, spotted burning. . . . Each, 2Sc. No. lOB. "Boys' League" Bat, good ash, varnished. Ea., 10c. HOLD BAT PROPERLY AND STRIKE THE BALL WITH THE GRAIN. DON'T BLAME THE MAKER FOR A BREAK WHICH OCCURS THROUGH IJUPROPER USE OR ABUSE. Spalding Complete Calalognc ol Alhletic Goods Mailed Free. _^ PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN Tff ANY COMMUNICATIOf ADDRESSED TO US A.G.SPALDING »s ?.??/*=* "-Patent Molded Face. Brown calfskin. King Patent Felt Pad- ding. Laced back, "Stic-k on-the-Hand" strap- and-buckle fastening. . . . Each, $9.00 No. 10-OP. *"«*'?,«^»s?f?S?^s" Same as No. 10-0, but patent perforated palm. Each, $8.00 No. 9-0. "Three-and-Out." Patented Molded face; hand formed pocket. Brown calfskin; hair felt padding; patent laced back; leather strap and brass buckle fastening. Each, $8.00 No. 9-OP. Patent ' -Perforated " Palm. Other- wise same as No. 9-0. . . . Each, $8.00 No. 8-0. "Olympic." Palm specially prepared leather. Back and side special brown calfskin. Leather lace. Leather bound edges. Hand stitched, formed padding. . Each, $7.00 No. FO. "Foxy." Brown calfskin. Patent combination shaped face: hair felt padding. Fox Patent Padding Pocket. Extra felt sup- plied with mitt "Stick on the Hand" strap- and-buckle fastening. . Each, $7.00 No. 7-0. "Perfection." Brown calfskin. Patent combination shaped face; hair felt pad- ding. Patent laced back and thumb; leather lace. ... Each, $6.00 No. 6-0. "Collegiate." Molded face. Olive , colored leather. King Patent Felt Padding, I patent laced back and thumb. Each, $5.00 No. OG. "Conqueror." Semi-molded face. Blown calf, black leather bound; leather laced; Heel of hand piece felt lined. Each, $5.00 No. 5-0. "League Extra." Molded face. Buff colored leather, patent felt padding; Heel of hand piece felt Hned. ;^^ ^ ^ ^ -^ .so?^*^^' ^'^^ No. OK. "OK Model." Semi-molded, brown horse hide face. Felt padding, red leather edges. Heel of hand piece felt lined. Ea.,$4.00 I AU Style* Made in Rights and Left* When Ordering for Left Handed Player. Specify 'Tulljtight." J PROMPT ATTENTIOM GIVE TOANYCOMMUNIC/iTION tMRESSEDTODS A.G.SPALDING ,« ^^cciol Canadian Catahfuj liift^i!li^;lillillM^P>i!Mili'J^!l!iamJJI GUARANTEES QUALITY SPALDING CATCHERS' MASKS No. 1 1-OD. "SAFETY FIRST" Double Wire, Open Vision, Elec trie Welded Frame. Double wiring adds a little to the ordinary weight of a mask, but for the catcher who wants the best there is no other style worth consideration. Properly padded, including every up-to-date feature in construction ' Each, $6.00 No. lO-OW. "wo«»lPs?f?.»=s." J-r.?fl-D5S'!l;JII5: Special electric welded ' 'Open Vision ' ' black finish frame, including wireear guards and circular opening in front. Weight is as light as consistentwith absolute safety; padding conforms toface with comfort. Ea.,$5.00 No. 8-0. "Open Vision." Si' mA?,'" d^c' !i: llll: Specially soldered and reinforced frame of highest quality special steel wire, black finish. Carefully reinforced with hard solder at joining points. Special wire ear guards Each, $5.00 No. 5-0. "Open Vision" Umpires' Mask. Has neck protecting attachment and special ear protection; nicely padded. Principal wire crossings specially soldered. Safest and most convenient style ever made for umpires. . .■ Each, $5.00 No. 6-0. " Special Soldered." Principal wire crossings heavily soldered. "Open Vision," extra heavy wire frame, black finished; continuous style padding, with soft chin-pad; special elastic head-band , . Each, $4.00 No. 4-0. "Sun Protecting." Patent leather sun-shade, protec- ting eyes without obstructing view. "Open Vision," electric welded frame of extra heavy steel wire, black finish. With soft chin-pad; improved design hair-filled pads, including forehead pad; elastic head band Each, $4.00 No. 3-0. "Neck Protectinsr." Neck protecting arrangement affords positive protection. ' Open Vision, " electric welded, black finish frame; comfortable pads, with soft chin-pad and special elastic head-strap. • .' . . Each, $3.50 No. O-P. "Semi-Pro" League. "Open Vision," electric welded best black annealed steel wire frame. Special continuous style side pads, leather covered; special soft forehead and chin-pad; elastic head-band. . , . ._ , . . , « . . Each, $2.50 SPALDING "REGULATION LEAGUE" MASKS No. 2-0. "Open Vision," soldered heavy black annealed steel wire frame. Full length side pads of improved design; soft fore-head and chin-padf; special elastic head-band. Each, $2.00 No. O-X. Men's size. "Open Vision," electric welded frame, black finish. Improved leather covered pads, including forehead- pad, molded leather chin-strap; elastic head-band. Each, $1.50 No.OXB. Youths'. "Open Vision, "electric welded frame, black finish. Soft side padding, forehead and chin-pad. Each, $1.50 No. A. Men's, Electric welded black enameled frame. Leather covered pads, forehead and chin-pad Each, $1.00 No. B. Youths'. Electric welded black enameled frame; similar in quality throughout to No. A, but smaller in size. Each, $1.00 No.C. Electricwelded black enameled frame; soft leather covered pads ; wide elastic headrstnxp, leather strap-and-buckle. Ea. , 50c. No. D. Electric welded black enameled frame. Smaller in size than No. C Each, 25c. Spaldfaifl Complete CatalogBC ol Alhletic Goods Mailed Free, FBOMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO ANY COmiUNIGATiQ AOORESSEDTO ItS A.G.SPALDING&BROS. STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES COMPLETE UST OF STORES ON INSIOE FRONT COVER OF THIS Boot • "Pric J ID tffecl January 5, 1915-, Suijcct lo change without notice. For Canadian prtctt ite aptcial Caiiadlan Catalofut^ SPALDING BASK BALL UNIFORMS $12.50 11.50 10.00 9.00 7.50 7.50 6.00 5.00 3.50 2.50 1.00 I Complete Color Sample Book mailed, on application, to any team captain or manager, together with Measurement Blank and full instructions for measuring players for uniforms. Spalding "WORLD SERIES" Uniform No. O. . Single Suit, $15.00 Net pi-ice to clubs ordering for Entire Team. ... . Suit, Spalding "^9r^^\f^W^^" Uniform No, OA. Single Suit, $14.00 , Net price to clubs ordering for Entire Team Suit, Spalding "League" Uniform No. 1 Single Suit, $12.50 Net price to clubs ordering for Entire Team. . ■ . ^^ . Suit, Spalding "League" Uniform No. lA. . . . Single 'Suit, $11.50 Net price to clubs ordering for Entire Team Suit, Spalding "Interscholastic" Uniform No. 2. . . Single Suit, $9.00 Net price to clubs ordering for Entire Team Suit, Spalding "Minor League" Uniform No. M. . Single Suit, $9.00 Net price to clubs ordering for Entire Team Suit, Spalding "City League" Uniform No. W. . . Single Suit, $7.50 Net price to clubs ordering for Entire Team Suit, Spalding "Club Special" Uniform No. 3. . . Single Suit, $6.00 N«t price to clubs ordering for Entire Team ' Suit, Spalding "Amateur Special" Uniform No. 4. . Single Suit, $4.00 Net price to clubs ordering for Entire Team Suit, Spalding "Junior" Uniform No. 5 Single Suit, $3.00 Net price to clubs ordering niyie or more uniforms. . . Suit, Spalding "Youths'" Uniform No. 6. Good quality Gray material No larger sizes than 30-in. waist and 34-in. chest. . . Complete, ABOVE UNIFORMS CONSIST OF SHIRT. PANTS. CAP. BELT AND STOCKINGS. SPALDING BASE BALL SHOES No. FW. *"*^oj?A"s?f?F''" Kan- garoo uppers, white oak soles. Hand sewed; strictly bench made. Extra strong^soft laces. . Pair, $7.00 Owing to the lightness and fineness of this shoe, it is suitable only for the fastest players, but as a light weight durable shoe for general use we recommend No. 30-S. Sizes and Weights of No. FW Shoes Size of Shoes: 5 6 7 8 9 Weight per pair: 18 18i 19 20 21 oz. No. 30-S. "Sprinting." Kangaroo uppers, white oak soles. Built on our running shoe last. Lightweight. Hand s6wed; bench made. 'Strong laces. Pair, $7.00 No. O. "Club Special." Selected satin calfskin, substantially made. High point carefully tempered carbon steel plates hand riveted to heels and soles. Pair, $5.00 No. OS. "Club Special" Sprinting. Similar to. No. 0, but made with sprinting style flexible soles. (Patented May 7, 1912) 'Pair, $5.00 No. 35. "Amateur Special." Leather, machine sewed. High point carefully tem- pered carbon steel plates hand riveted to heels and soles. Pair, $3.50 -k $39.00 Doz. No. 37. "Junior." Leather; regular base ball shoe last. Plates hand riveted to heels and soles. Excellent for the money but not guaranteed. Pair, $2.50 * $27.00 Doz. Juvenile Base Ball Shoes No. 38. Made on special boys' size lasts. Good quality material throughout and steel plates. Furnished in boys' sizes, 12 to 5, inclusive, only. . . Pair, $2.00 Spalding "Ori-Foot" prolongs the life of the shoes. Can, ISc. T/if prices printed in italics opposite items marked with if tvill be quoted ovly on orders for one-hall dozen pairs or more at one time. Quantity prices A'OT allowed on items NOT marked with ic PROMPT AHENTION 6IVEI TO ANY COMMUNICATIO ADDRESSEO TO OS iA.G.SPALDING&BROS. I STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES COMPlfTEUST OF STORES ON INSIDE FRONT COVEil OF THIS BOOK T>l*c«i in tfftcl January 5. 1915. Sukjecl to cAo/jfc wilfioul nolict. For Canadian priccj itt tpeciaf Canadian Cololagu ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTI ^THESPALDINGl^^; TRADE-MARK^ GUARANTEES QUALITY Spalding "WORM srauES" Catchers*_Body Protectors No. SP. Padded atyle, not inflated. Patented June . No. 4-0. Inflated «tyle. Strong tan covering. Spe- 22, '09; Aug. 24, "09. Canvas cover, laced at sides, cial shoulder padding, laced to permit readjustment permitting readjusting of padding as desired. Spe- of padding as desired and special body strap. (Pat. cial body strap Each, $10.00 ented Nov. 24, 03). . . . ^ . _^_Each, $10.00 Spalding Catchers' Body Protectors No. 2-0. "Minor League." Cover of durable material. Made (n best manner. InfUted. Full size. Each. $7.50 No. 0. "City League." Slightly narrower than No. 2-0. Covering of durable material. Inflated. . Each, $5.00 No. M. "Interscholastic. ■ Well made, Inflated. . " 3.50 No. 2. "Youths." Good size. Inflated. . . " 3.00 Spalding Umpires' Body Protectors Gjve length and width when ordering Umpires' Body Protectors. No. L. Inflated. Large size, best quality. Same as supplied to most experienced major league umpires. Each, $10.00 No. LS. Inflated. Special light weight, very large air passages and without any breaks or hinges. Soft rubber tube instead of regular inflating valve. Not carried in stock; supplied on special orders only. . Each. $10.00 No. R. Inflated. Correct model. Cover of good material. Flexible inflating tube Etch, $5.00 Spalding Leg Guards for Base Ball Catchers No. 33. As supplied to Roger Bresnahan and to other prominent league catchers. Knee guard of molded sole leather; leg piece padded with reeds; light and strong; special ankle pads as protection from spikes. Covered with special quality white buck dressed leather. Pair, $6.50 Spalding Catchers' Leg Guards No. RB. Plain style, fiber leg piece, not ribbed. Leather padded at ankle and knee Pair, $5.00. Spalding Uniform Bags Convenient roll for packing uniforms in a manner which will not wrinkle and soil them; with separate compart- ments for shoes, etc. No. 2. Bag leather ; well made. . . . . . Each, $6.00 No. 1. Best heavy canvas; leather bouhd, double leather shawl strap and handle • Each, $3.00 No.6. Brown canvas roll; leather straps and handle. " 1.50 No. 5. Combined Uniform and Bat Bag. Similar to regular uniform bags, but with extra compartment to carry one bat. Best canvas, leather bound. . . . Each, $4.00 No. 4. Individual Uniform Bag. Best quality brown can- vas ; two leather handles ; strap-and-buckle fastenings. . Holds suit, shoes and other necessar>- articles. Each, $2.00 Spalding Bat Bags No. 2. Heavy waterproof canvas, leather reinforced at both ends; and leather handles; holds 12 bats. . Each, $3.50 No. 3. Similar to No. 2, but holds only 6 bats. " 2.50 Spalding Individual Bat Bags No. 01. Good quality heavy leather bat bag, for two bats; | used by most league players. Each, $4.00 -k $43.20 DoZ. No. 02. Elxtra heavy canvas; heavy leather cap at both ends Each, $2.00 •,£?/.6i5'Z'o^. No. 51. Sheepskin, good quality bag, with heavy leather end ^j&c\%\.l^-k $18.90 Doz. No. 03. Heavy canvas; leather cap at both ends. Each, $1.00 -k $10.80 Doz. Spalding Special Club Bat Bag No. 8. Heavy canvas, with strong reinforcing strips ran- ning lengthwise, and heavy leather ends. Holds 26 to 30 bats Each. $18.00 any of above bags extra. Prices on application. * .No. 8 The prices printed in italics opposite items ^ marked with * will b^ quoted only on orders Jar one-fialf dozen or more at one time. Quantity prices WOT allowed on items' NOTlnarked with * PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO ANY COMMONICATIONS AnORESSEDTOUS A.G.SPALDING rtcei In tffect January 5. 1 9 {5. Subject to change without notice. For Canadian pHca Kt tpecial Canadian Catalogue. I^^E^H GUARANTEES QUALITY Spalding Base Ball Bases Complete with Straps and Spikes No. OL. Special League Bases, filled, very heavy quilted canvas. Each base fitted with two extra strong . harness leather straps and three extra heavy 14 inch special spikes. Used by the big league and college clubs. Set of 3, $7.50 No. 0. League Club Bases, filled, extra quality canvas quilted. Harness leather straps. . . . Set of 3, $6.00 No. 1. Canvas Basos. filled, well made; not quilted. Set of 3. $5.00 No. 2. Canvas Bases, filled, good quality. Set of 3, 3.50 No. 4. Unfilled Canvas Bases, laced. May be filled with •and or other material. Canvas straps, Set of 3, $1.00 Nd. 5. Qyilted Stiff Canvas Bases, without straps. l-I Set of 3. 1.00 Spalding Pitchers' Box Plates * No. 3. Made in accoi-dance with National Leag:ue regula- tions; extra quality white rubber. With pins. Each, $5.00 'Mo. 2. Composition material, regulation size and shape. With pins. -.....-... Each. -$3.50 Spalding Rubber Home Plates No. 1. In accordance with the National League regulations. . Extra quality white rubber. With pins. . Each, $7.50 No. C. Composition material, regulation size and shape. \Withpin8. .,..,._ Each. $5.00 Spalding Improved Steel Shoe Plates We do not sell separately the special quality base ball shoe plates used on our best grade of our own make with steel No. 4-0 plates, and charge, including pair each o( toe and heel plates and putting plates on ahoes. ...:... $1.00 This price does nol include Iransportation > charges on ahoes. No. 3-0. Toe Plates. Kigh point carbon steel. carefully tempered and ground. Pair, 50c No. 4-0. Heel Plates, high point carbon steel, carefully tempered and ground. Pair, 50c. 'Not, Ci and t No. 0» Toe Plates, hardened steel, shar- pened Pair, 25c No. 2-0. Heel plales. hardened steel, sharpened. *' 25c No. 1. Toe plates,, good steel, sharpened. " 10c.' No. IH. Heel plates, good steel, sharpened. " lOc Spalding Pitchers; Toe Plates , ^^y^ A thorough protection to shoe and of great, '•^^/ assistance in pitching. Made for right or left shoe. When ordering, specify for' which shoe required. ' No. A. Aluminum. Regular style Each, 25c. No. B. Brass. Regular style " 25c.' No.BS. Brass. Cut low. Light weight. Particularly for Tjitchers and shortsto|>s whojlo not drag their feet. Each. 25c Spalding * Movable Batting Cage Can be moved to any part of the field quickly and easily by simply pushing the rear handle, yet when it is in position it is absolutely rigid Made with heavy frame of japanned iron piping. No intricate parts to get out of order Simple construe tion;' strongly made Used on nearly every major league field besides on those of the more prominent colleges. This photograph shows Eddie Collins of the Philadelphia "Athletics/'at bat- TFTm Extra Straps and Spikes Straps tor Nos. OL and Bases Straps for No. I Bases. Straps for No. 2 Bases. .• . . . . ~. . . . Spikes (or Nos. OL and Bases. ' .~' ■ ■ Spikes for No. I Bases " 10c Spikes for No. 2 Bases. ...... " 5c Spalding Fred Clarke Sun Glasses Each, 75c 20c edeJ. 2. Fred Clarke Sun Glasses, o m p I e t e with attachment for stening to cap. Pair. $10.00 Ptize doti nol include cap' 1 Spalding Regular Sun Glasses for Outfielders No. 1. Good quality metal frames. Pair, $1.00 Spalding Score Books SpaldingBaseBallSo Books are made in th styles: Morse style (Nos 1.3.4, "Sand M); A. G Spaldmg style (Nos. 2 and S) Foster style (No. F). Pocket Score Books No. 1. Paper, 7 games, Morse style. ... No. 2. Board, 22 games, A. G. Spalding style, No. 3. Board, 46 games, Morse style No. S. Board, A. G. Spalding style, 79 games. " 75c. No. M. Board, Morse style, 79 games. ... " 75c No. F. Board. Foster style, 79 games. ... " 75c Club Score Books No. 4. Board, fly« X lOH in., 30 games. Morse style. Ela.,$l,00 No. 5. Board, 8^ x lOJ^ in., 79 games, Morse style. " 1.50 ScorcCard,., . . ^ Each, 5c Doz^^ .25 Spalding Umpire Indicator No. p. •^^^ ^,v — 1 of celluloid with I KeWorld Series game Cor , Each. $60.00 Spalding Complete Calalognc «l Alhletjc Goods Mailed Free. PROMPT ATTENTION 6IVEI TaANY COMMUNICATIOI AODBESSEDTilUS A.G.SPALDING VORLD A. G. Spalding ^ Bros. MAINTAIN WHOLESALE and RETAIL STORES /n the FOLLOWING CITIES NEW YORK CHICAGO ST. LOUIS BOSTON MILWAUKEE KANSAS CITY PHILADELPHIA DETROIT SAN FRANCISCO NEWARK CINCINNATI LOS ANGELES ALBANY CLEVELAND SEATTLE BUFFALO COLUMBUS SALT LAKE CITY SYRACUSE INDIANAPOLIS PORTLAND ROCHESTER 1 BALTIMORE WASHINGTON LONDON, ENGLAND LIVERPOOL. ENGLAND BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND MANCHESTER, ENGLAND EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND GLASGOW. SCOTLAND PITTSBURGH MINNEAPOLIS ATLANTA ST. PAUL LOUISVILLE DENVER NEW ORLEANS DALLAS MONTREAL, CANADA TORONTO, CANADA ) PARIS. FRANCE ) SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA Factories os'^ned and operated rode -Marked Ath(ctic Cooi CHICAGO ■re all of Spat ide are located BROOKI.YN SAN FRANCISCO ..CHICOPEE» PHIlJiDELPHIA LONDON, I