Clipping:Confusion over wides and called balls

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Date Sunday, May 17, 1874
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It is really surprising to see players who are paid for the performance of special duties as umpires now are so incompetent to perform such duties. They either will not study the rules from the official book, or they lack the sense to comprehend them. In the interpretation of the rule of calling wides, and in the face of the plain wording of the section, two umpires last week called every ball a wide that was not over the base or where the striker called for it; moreover, they counted wides as balls, and instead of calling every third such ball they called balls on one. The rule of wide balls actually prohibits the calling of wide on any ball that is within fair reach of the bat, and it only allows of the calling of wides on balls which are out of possible reach of the batsman while he stands within the lines of his position. Thus every ball which touches the ground in front of the home base must be called a “wide.” Also every ball sent in over the batsman’s head that is out of reach. Also every ball sent in on the side opposite tot hat he bats from. Also all balls which are sent in over the striker’s position. All these, and none other, are wide balls, and any umpire who calls wides on balls which should only be counted as “balls,” is required by the rules to be promptly dismissed from his position unpaid. New York Sunday Mercury May 17, 1874

[Mutual vs. Athletic 6/5/1874] York’s umpiring was impartial, but, it is evident, this handsome young gentleman has not read the rules carefully. He falls into Clapp’s error of calling “1 ball” on the second pitch; the rule says it cannot be called until the third pitch. Perhaps Mr. York thinks “a wide” and “a ball” mean the same thing? We imagine this is so, as he gave McGeary a base on one ball and two wides! This is a new interpretation, and it is hardly according to the rules. We hope Mr. York will be more careful in the future. Philadelphia All-Day City Item June 7, 1874

Source New York Sunday Mercury
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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