Clipping:A question from a country club about fly balls
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| Date | Sunday, July 29, 1860 |
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| Text | WHEN A FLY BALL CEASES TO BE A FLY BALL –We have received the following communication, asking for a little light on a not very dark subject: ST. LOUIS, July 21, 1860 To the Editors of the Sunday Mercury. Pardon my intrusion upon your columns in relation to that vexed Art. 16, of the Base Ball Rules. A difference of opinion has arisen here, which we wish settled at the fountain head of ball playing. In case of a foul ball, a man must touch his base after the ball is in the hands of the pitcher. Why is not this just as applicable to a fair ball caught on the fly? I contend that it is, for the very reason that a fair ball caught on the fly remains a “fly ball” until it is settled in the hands of the pitcher; and that part of Art. 16 which refers to parties running the bases, says: “No ace nor base can be made,” etc., and if no base can be made, he can no more take six inches than he can thirty yards. Mr. Bendle [?] says: “After returning to the base, a man can immediately endeavor to make the next,” etc.,; but I differ with him on that point, and contend that he cannot leave the base until it ceases to be a “fly ball,” and he therefore must touch his base after the ball is in the hands of the pitcher. Will you be so kind as to give us your opinion in your next issue, and much oblige us Western ball players. Yours respectfully, “NATIVE.” Our correspondent, “Native,” errs in supposing that it is imperative for a player running the bases on a foul ball, to touch the base after the ball is in the hands of the pitcher. It is his duty to return and touch the base; and, until the ball is settled in the hands of the pitcher, he cannot be put out in returning. The intention of the rule is, that the player cannot run upon a foul ball. As soon as the ball is placed in the hands of the pitcher, however, he can start as soon as he likes. In the case of a ball caught on the fly, it is imperative that a player should return to the base he may have run from; but it is not, according to the rules, necessary for him to remain on that base till the ball is placed in the hands of the pitcher, for the ball remains in play, and the runner is able to be put out in returning to his base, without regard to the pitcher. If a ball taken on the fly is badly thrown to the base to which the players is returning, he is fully entitled to make as many bases as he can on the misplay, after touching that base. It is by no means necessary for him to hug the base till the pitcher gets hold of the ball. A fair ball ceases to be a fly ball when it is caught. A foul ball only ceases to be a foul ball when it is in the hands of the pitcher. This is the popular understanding of the rule, and we think it is correct. |
| Source | New York Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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