1864.48

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NABBP Hobbles Pitchers

Salience	Noteworthy
Tags	Post-Knickerbocker Rule ChangesPost-Knickerbocker Rule Changes
Location	Greater New York CityGreater New York City
City/State/Country:	NYC, NY, United States
Modern Address
Game	Base BallBase Ball
Immediacy of Report	Contemporary
Age of Players	AdultAdult
Holiday
Notables
Text	[A] “THE NEW RULES.—...’Section 5. Should the pitcher repeatedly fail to deliver to the striker fair balls, for the apparent purpose of delaying the game, or for any other cause, the umpire, after warning him, shall call one ball, and if the pitcher persists in such action, two and three balls; when three balls shall have been called, the striker shall be entitled to the first base, and should any base be occupied at that time, each player occupying them shall be entitled to one base. Section 6. The pitcher’s position shall be designated by two lines, four yards in length, drawn at right angles to a line from home to second base, having their centres upon that line at two fixed iron plates, placed at points fifteen and sixteen yards distant from the home-base, and for the striker...Section 7...whenever the pitcher draws back his hand, or moves with the apparent purpose or pretention to deliver the ball, he shall so deliver it, and must have neither foot in advance of the line of his position or off the ground at the time of delivering the ball; and if he fails in either of these particulars then it shall be declared a balk.’”  [B]  —“THE NEW RULES—adopted by the last Convention, promise to work out a desirable reform. The Pitcher can no longer push a game into the dark, by the old style of baby-play, but is ‘compelled’ to deliver balls to the Striker, or else a base is given. And then again, instead of taking a wide range, in which to swing a bill and move the feet, he must keep within his circumscribed limit, and deliver a fair ball.”
Sources	[A] New York Sunday Mercury, March 27, 1864 [B] New York Evening Express, April 22, 1864
Warning
Comment	For various reasons, umpires enforced the new rules only inconsistently. See Supplemental Text. Edit with form to add a comment
Query	Edit with form to add a query
Source Image	[[Image:|left|thumb]]
External Number
Submitted by	Bob Tholkes
Submission Note	5/20/2014
Has Supplemental Text	Yes

1864.48 NABBP Hobbles Pitchers"

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Supplemental Text

3/6 New York Sunday Mercury (NYSM)—“THE APPROACHING SEASON.--...Considerable interest has been manifested in reference to the effect on the game of the practical working of the new rules...At any rate, the pitching will be slower than it has been for the past three or four seasons...Hitherto, umpires have refrained from calling strikes...there being no rule hitherto whereby the umpire could inflict a penalty on the pitcher as well as the batsman for his unfair practices...these new rules will have the effect of re-introducing the old style of pitching, which, imparting a twist to the ball, and trying to deceive the judgement of the batsman, by giving him curved lines to judge the ball by...was regarded as the most successful style of the art...”

3/26 New York Evening Express (NYEE)—“THE ENSUING SEASON-- ...It is proper...to call attention to the new rule on Pitching, which prohibits the present tedious waiting and dilly-dally game...it is to be hoped it will prove sufficient to work a radical reform.”

3/27 NYSM—“THE NEW RULES.—...’Section 5. Should the pitcher repeatedly fail to deliver to the striker fair balls, for the apparent purpose of delaying the game, or for any other cause, the umpire, after warning him, shall call one ball, and if the pitcher persists in such action, two and three balls; when three balls shall have been called, the striker shall be entitled to the first base, and should any base be occupied at that time, each player occupying them shall be entitled to one base. Section 6. The pitcher’s position shall be designated by two lines, four yards in length, drawn at right angles to a line from home to second base, having their centres upon that line at two fixed iron plates, placed at points fifteen and sixteen yards distant from the home-base, and for the striker...Section 7...whenever the pitcher draws back his hand, or moves with the apparent purpose or pretention to deliver the ball, he shall so deliver it, and must have neither foot in advance of the line of his position or off the ground at the time of delivering the ball; and if he fails in either of these particulars then it shall be declared a balk.’”

4/22 Brooklyn Daily Eagle (BDE)—“SATURDAY’S GAME ON THE STAR GROUNDS.-- ...the new rules are to be strictly adhered to as if in a regular match.”

4/22 NYEE—“THE NEW RULES—adopted by the last Convention, promise to work out a desirable reform. The Pitcher can no longer push a game into the dark, by the old style of baby-play, but is ‘compelled’ to deliver balls to the Striker, or else a base is given. And then again, instead of taking a wide range, in which to swing a bill and move the feet, he must keep within his circumscribed limit, and deliver a fair ball.”

4/24 NYSM—“THE WORKING OF THE NEW RULES.-- ...they will insure the reformation in the playing of the game they were originally designed to bring about; this improvement mainly consisting in transferring the interest of the play from the pitcher to the outer fieldsmen; its tendency being to make fielding, and not pitching...Speed in pitching was the desideratum, everything else being made secondary. All this the new rules have changed, never again, we trust, to be reintroduced...There is one thing we have also observed, as likely to result...and that is the introduction of the flygame...”

5/1 NYSM—“FIRST-CLASS PRACTICE GAMES.-- ...The first regular match of the series took place on April 23...the interest centering almost entirely on the fielding at the bases and in the outer field.”

5/2 BDE—“THE QUICKEST GAME ON RECORD.—The union game played on the Star grounds on Saturday last proved to be the shortest game of ball known in the annals of the game...It was a fly game, and the new rules were strictly enforced throughout, baulks being declared every time the pitcher’s feet were off the ground when he made the last swing of his arm in delivery, and balls were called on him when he pitched the ball either over the head of the batsman or on the ground before reaching the home base...the pitchers were obliged to send in fair balls, the result being that the batsman had a ball that he could strike at the moment he took the bat, and in consequence no time was lost in waiting for one, and lively work was given the fielders.”

5/6 BDE—“THE OPENING OF THE CAPITOLINE GROUNDS.-- ...The game...was an experimental one, all parties being desirous of posting themselves up on the new rules...As the practical working of these rules was the feature of the game, and as what the Atlantics decide upon adopting nearly every other club abides by, we give below as complete an analysis of the new rules and the proper interpretation of them as we have space...As members of the first nine of the Atlantics are so often called upon to act as umpires that it becomes a matter of importance that they should be the first to thoroughly understand the application of the new rules...Philadelphians...have interpreted the rule (about delivering with both feet on the ground) as admitting of the step being made when the last forward swing of the arm in delivering the ball is given. This is wrong...Dr. Bell...was mainly instrumental in drawing up the rule...We would...call upon all...pitcher(s) this year, to remember that they must have both feet on the ground when they make the movement in delivering the ball that immediately precedes such delivery, this preliminary movement being the last forward swing of the arm...if he (the pitcher)  were allowed to make this step in the new rule, the object of the framers of it would not be attained, for he would be able to pitch fully as swiftly as before...In reference to the rule calling balls on the pitcher, the practical working of it is as follows...as the words ‘for any cause’ were inserted...the Umpire has no choice but to call balls...without reference to the intention of the pitcher...unless they pitched fair balls to the striker—that is balls within his legitimate reach...The new rule will lessen the speed of all pitchers considerably...”

5/7 New York Clipper (NYC)—“THE EFFECT OF THE NEW RULES ON THE SEASON’S PLAY.—The intention of the originators of the amendments to the rules adopted at the last convention, which was to transfer the interest of the game from the pitcher to the fielders, is likely to be fully carried into effect this season, if we may judge from the practical working of the new rules as shown in such practice games as have thus been played this year...Of course we must expect to see a large increase in scoring, the probability being that the average runs of a match will be increased from twenty to thirty in a majority of games played; but inasmuch as finer displays of fielding must necessarily ensue from these new rules, and far more enjoyable games, this increase in the scores is of no importance whatsoever.”

5/14 NYC—“THE OPENING PLAY OF THE SEASON. THE HOBOKEN CLUBS. On Tuesday, May 3^rd, the Eagle Club opened play at Hoboken for the season...A feature of the game of ball that was played was, of course, the induction of the leading players of the club on the new rules. Dr. Bell, of the Empire Club, was one of the players and occupied the position of pitcher, and as he was prominent as one of the framers of the amended rules in the Convention Committee, he was fully competent to explain...The Doctor pitched every ball with both feet on the ground at the time he made the last swing of the arm. His style of pitching was this: he first stepped within the space of ground allotted to the pitcher...and then placing his feet firmly on the ground, one foot touching the forward line with the toe and the other the back line with the heel, he deliberately pitched the ball, and, of course, without lifting either foot during any of the preliminary movements of the delivery. This is the correct definition of the rule...”

5/21 NYC—“THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION...After a brief discussion on the subject of the right interpretation of the rules among the members of the Committee on Rules and Regulations present, it was unanimously decided that the rules were to be interpreted as they were in the game on the occasion of the opening of the Atlantic Club grounds on Thursday, May 5,th, a full account of which was given in last week’s CLIPPER.”

5/22 NYSM—“THE NEW RULE FOR PITCHING.—From the following communication it will be seen that there is not only considerable opposition made to the new rule for pitchers...but also a singular lack of perception in what constitutes a proper interpretation...’what is the correction definition of the wording of Rule 7...Does the time of delivering the ball refer to the time when it leaves the hand, or to the movements immediately preceding such delivery?’...the Committee on Rules and Regulations intended...that it should be made obligatory for the pitcher to have both feet stationary on the ground, not only at the time the ball leaves the hand, but also during the act of delivery, or while he makes any movements to deliver the ball.”

5/29 NYSM—“THE GAME IN PHILADELPHIA – THE GRAND MATCHES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SANITARY FAIR – PENNSYLVANIA vs. NEW JERSEY.-- ...Of the play on this occasion...Henry’s pitching (for New Jersey), too, under the new rules—which were strictly enforced throughout—was as effective as it was proved to be last season...we have to award praise to Kleinfelter and McBride for effective catching and pitching—the latter being very successful in the delivery of good balls under the new rules...Of the decisions of the umpire, Mr. P. O’Brien, of the Atlantic club...”

6/12 NYSM—“THE PRIZE-GAME ON THE ECKFORD GROUNDS.--...The rules of the game were strictly adhered to...”

6/12 NYSM—“EMPIRE vs. ACTIVE.—The contest between these clubs...was one that will give rise to considerable discussion on the subject of the new rule in reference to pitching, the umpire on the occasion having interpreted the sixth rule of the game in a rather novel manner, and in such a way as to give the game, in every contest similarly played, to the club that can bat the strongest. He ignored the word ‘repeatedly’, contained in the rule in question, and decided every ball that was not pitched exactly to the place indicated by the striker, as a ball against the pitcher, and also called strikes on the batsman every time he failed to strike at the ball when it was pitched where the batsman required the pitcher to toss it. Under those circumstances, the batsman had only three or four chances to bat a ball before he either struck out or had his base given him. The umpire was very impartial in his decisions, and after the astonishment was over, considerable amusement was had in playing such a novel game...Umpire.—W. McMahon, of the Mutual Club...Time of Game.—1 hour 35 minutes. (score 29 to 16 in 9 innings)

6/13 BDE—“A NEW VERSION OF THE SIXTH SECTION OF THE RULES.—The Empire and Active match on Saturday at Hoboken turned out to be a very singular contest, it being made so by the very novel interpretation of rule six by McMahon of the Mutual, who acted as umpire...From the first to the last innings he called balls on the pitcher every time he failed to deliver the ball exactly to the spot the striker pointed out; and also, when the striker failed on his part to strike at the first ball that came to him where he had said he wanted it, he called strikes on him...But in this singular interpretation he undoubtedly erred. This rule...was introduced in order to put a stop to the wild pitching...to prevent any pitcher from throwing the game into the dark; and likewise to giv e the umpire as much control over the movements of the pitcher, in making him play fairly, as he previously had over the striker, in being able to call strikes on him for unfair play. The principal difficulty in correctly interpreting this rules, lies in properly defining unfair balls...There is but one way...and that is to consider every ball unfairly delivered, that is not within the legitimate reach of an ordinary batsman...as defined by McMahon, it would at once give every match to the club having the strongest batsmen...(it) led to the playing of the quickest bound game on record...The scorers could scarcely find time to record the game...”

6/18 NYC—“A SINGULAR GAME AT HOBOKEN.—EMPIRE VS. ACTIVE.—On the occasion of the first match between these clubs this season...a novel definition of the sixth rule of the game by Mr. McMahon , of the Mutual Club, who acted as Umpire...changed the contest...into an experimental one...it was nevertheless one which will be advantageous to the interests of base ball, as it will lead to a thoroughly correct and uniform definition of the rule in question...after telling the striker to indicate to the pitcher where he wanted the ball...called balls on the pitcher every time he failed to pitch the ball exactly to the place...and also called strikes on the batsman when he failed to strike at the ball when it was pitched where he said he wanted it...spectators and players began at once to enter into a discussion of the merits of the rule in question...few agreeing with the umpire’s definition...disappointment in their expectations...was succeeded by amusement at the novelty of the contest, considerable fun being had by the majority...Page’s (pitching was)...a noteworthy exemplification of the fact that almost any good player can toss a ball to the bat within a few inches of any spot he aims at...proving that the effort to pitch with speed is alone the principal cause of wild pitching...The intent of the rule both in spirit and letter does not go beyond the prohibition of the delivery of what can justly be construed as unfair balls, and at the next convention the wording should be so changed as to plainly indicate what are considered unfair balls. As we interpret it, an unfair ball is one that is pitched out of the legitimate reach of the batsman...no difficulty can arise similar ot the trouble in tis match, if the umpire will only determine beforehand, and publicly announce to the respective pitchers what he considers as unfair balls...”

6/14 BDE—“EMPIRE VS. EUREKA OF NEWARK.—The match between these clubs...will draw a big (illegible) all will be anxious to see how the new rules will (illegible) in the second game of the Empires this season. We (illegible) P. O’Brien Umpire on this occasion as it is about time a right definition of the rule in question was made by a competent judge.”

6/16 BDE — “EUREKA  VS. EMPIRE. -- ...The decisions of the Umpire in this match were admirable...however, he was far too indulgent with the pitchers. There is but one rule to adopt in defining the sixth section of the rules, and this, for the Umpire to call balls on the pitcher—after due warning, of course—every time he delivers a ball that is out of the fair reach of the batsman.”

6/19 NYSM—“EUREKA VS. EMPIRE.—Of the pitching, neither of the pitchers excelled in accuracy of delivery, the umpire being altogether too lenient with them...Umpire.—Mr. Page, of the Active Club.

6/19 NYSM—We purpose briefly noticing the position and duties of the umpire...Prominent among the duties he is required to perform, and which are specially described in the rules of the game, is the proper enforcement of Sections 6 and 7...the one referring to calling balls on pitchers for unfair delivery, and the other for making balks...When the pitcher delivers the first unfair ball...the Umpire should at once warn him...this warning, once given, need not be repeated. Should the pitcher repeatedly send in unfair balls after this warning—say twice, or three times, not oftener—the umpire should call “one ball”, and, without waiting for frequent repetitions...”two” and “three” balls...It is, of course, but just to the pitcher to allow a margin for accidental inaccuracy, but this does not include errors resulting fro watching the bases, or an effort to pitch swift balls...the nearer he brings the rule down to a uniform definition, the less responsibility he assumes; and the more lax and indulgent he is, the more likely he is to have his impartiality questioned...McMahon, in the Empire and Active match, though he erred in his interpretation of Rule 6, acted with creditable consistency...Page, in the Eureka and Empire game...greatly marred the otherwise favorable impression he made...by his hesitancy and laxity in enforcing this very rule...We understand that McMahon still regards his ruling as the correct one, and will so decide in all matches...we question whether he will be selected to act, save in time-games, on which occasion he would be a first-rate man. By his action on the 11^th inst., he has certainly done the players a great benefit, as he has thereby caused a thorough discussion on the subject and elicited a correct definition of the rule in question.”

6/28 BDE—“The Grand Base Ball Match at Hoboken—The Atlantic and Mutual Clubs met together for the first time this season yesterday...McKeever resumed his position as pitcher, but the result proved conclusively that the new rules had deprived his pitching of all the effect it had last season...so far as the rule in reference to calling balls on pitchers was concerned, there might have been no such rule in existence almost...True, two or three very wide balls were noticed, but both Pratt and McKeever infringed the rule nearly every inning; the former especially...it should be the policy of the (Atlantic) club to have him pitch such fair balls...rather than the old style of dodging a a fair delivery...depend upon it, the majority of players in the country will not rest until the rules of the game are so perfected as to make perfectly fair pitching the rule...The strikers too, especially McKeever, were allowed altogether too much latitude...Umpire—Col. Fitzgerald of the Athletic Club, Philadelphia.

7/2 BDE—“GOTHAM VS. EMPIRE.—These clubs played their first game together, yesterday...The ruling of the Umpire was the most satisfactory we have yet seen. Every ball out of the reach of the batsman was called, and when the striker had indicated where he wanted a ball and it was pitched to him, if he did not strike the Umpire called strikes on him, only, however, when players were running their bases. This was as it should be...Umpire—Mr. Miller, of the Empire.”

7/9 NYC—THE FIRST GRAND MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP. THE ATLANTIC OF BROOKLYN VS. THE MUTUAL OF NEW YORK...Colonel Fitzgerald, of Philadelphia, acted as Umpire...but owing to a natural feeling of hesitation likely to characterize the action of any one placed in the position he was, he failed to exact a strict observance of the sixth section of the rules, and thereby permitted the pitchers to indulge too much in last year’s style of delivery. Umpires should remember that the sooner they define this rule uniformly, the better, as they will thereby rid themselves of much of the responsibility that will otherwise attach to them. Let it be understood that every time a pitcher sends a ball out of the reach of the batsman, he will have balls called on him, and make it a rule to inflict the penalty promptly every time the rule is infringed, and truer pitching will certainly follow. There is no doubt whatever, that every ball pitched on the side opposite to that the batsman strikes from, every ball touching the ground before passing the home base, and every one out of the reach of his bat, over his head, or on the side he strikes from, are unquestionably unfair balls, to say nothing of those that are pitched close to him, and too high or too low for his style of batting.”

7/9 BDE—“ATLANTICS VS. EMPIRES...We have to say a few words in regard to the decisions of the Umpires...his neglect to enforce the 6^th section of the rules. Both the pitchers are willing to have this strictly enforced on every occasion; aside from this, however, it is the duty of the Umpire to enforce every rule on the statute books...no matter what his individual opinion may be on the justice or advantage of them. Yesterday, as soon as the pitchers found out that the Umpire disregarded the 6^th rule they both took advantage of it to send in balls similar in delivery to the style in vogue last season, Pratt especially delivering them close to the batsmen. By this means the game was lengthened by half an hour at least...”

7/13 BDE—“THE SIXTH RULE OF THE GAME.-- ...Though the rule is not as correctly worded as it might be, it is nevertheless plain enough to indicate to any one who has to act as Umpire that he shall insist unpon pitchers delivering fair balls...what is a fair ball...a fair ball is one pitched as near as possible over the home base and for the striker...when the batsman has indicated where he wants the ball—and this he should be made to do the moment he takes the bat—due allowance should be made for accidental inaccuracy...It is in cases like these that the words “repeatedly and “after warning”...apply, and not to balls which under no circumstances can be considered fair...balls pitched over the head, out of the reach of his bat, or on the ground...or on the side opposite to that which he strikes from; or beyond the reach of his bat in front of him, or so close to him as to cause him to move to avoid being hit...It will be seen from the above that in defining the 6^th rule of the game, the Umpire should first make the striker show the pitcher where he wants a ball...After this has been done, allowance should be made for errors, but if the pitcher “repeatedly” fails to deliver for the striker those balls should be called on him; but in the case of balls out of reach of the batsman, neither warning nor allowance for accidental errors should be made when players are running their bases, as the pitcher can pitch fairly if he will try.”

7/16 NYC—“ACTIVE OF NEW YORK VS. EUREKA OF NEWARK...The umpire gave impartial decisions, but did not observe the new rule at all, that we noticed.”

7/17 NYSM—“EMPIRE VS. ACTIVE.--...The excellent ruling of the umpire was a noticeable feature of the match. P. O’Brien, of the Atlantics, had previously indorsed the definition of the Sixth Rule, so frequently referred to in this paper, and it only remained for Grum, of the Eckfords, to follow suit to settle the question in the minds of the majority of ball-players for there are no better umpires or judges of the game than these two players in the ball-playing community. We are glad to see this indorsement, as it will lessen the discretionary power of umpires, and thereby remove much of their responsibility; and we hope to see the example of Messrs. Grum and O’Brien followed on all occasions. We are afraid that it will not be, however, as what with umpires being loth to do their duty in this respect, and a desire to make themselves conspicuous by differing with others, the rule will either be ignored or so interpreted as to nullify its good effects. We would state, for the information of a correspondent who asks a question in relation to the ruling of the umpire in the third inning of the game, that when the striker has his base given him on three balls, every player on a base at the time is also entitled to a base; thus Russell, in the case referred to, was entitled to score his run, he being at third base when Westervelt went to first base on three balls.”

7/22 BDE—“THE ECKFORDS OPEN PLAY FOR THE SEASON...The game was rendered lengthy and tedious by the non-observance of the sixth rule by the umpire, the pitching being as wild as it generally was last season. No umpire has the right to ignore this rule, and we regret to see any club consent to it. The Colonel’s interpretation it appears, is that the penalty should only be inflicted when it is apparent that the wild pitching is the result of intentional errors....If such latitude is to be allowed to pitchers as was shown yesterday, then we had better at once drop the new rules and go back to the miserable style of pitching which was in vogue last year. For the novelty of the thing, we should like to see an Umpire other than Messrs. O’Brien, Grum and Miller have the resolution to call balls on pitchers...and strikes on batsmen...There is altogether too much latitude allowed to batsmen in this respect when players are on their bases...”

7/24 NYSM—“ATLANTIC VS. EAGLE.-- ...In regard to calling strikes on batsmen, we think all the umpires are too indulgent in this respect. To call balls on pitchers and not strikes on batsmen, when both infringe the spirit if not the letter of the rules, is not the fair thing to do.”

7/24 NYSM—“ATLANTIC VS. RESOLUTE...The match between these clubs...resulted in the signal defeat of the Resolute by a score of 18 to 1 in a full game of not two hours’ duration...Col. Fitzgerald of Philadelphia acted as umpire...”

8/10 BDE—“RULE 7—A QUESTION ANSWERED.--...the rule is complied with if the forward foot is flat on the ground and the forward part of the hind foot, at the time the ball is about to be delivered...The fifth rule of the game...requires him to have neither foot in advance of the front line of his position.”

8/10 BDE—“RULE SIX—ANOTHER QUESTION.-- ...When a batsman take his stand...the Umpire must require him to show how high or low he wants the ball...by a fair construction of the rule, three balls can be called in succession, after two unfair balls have been delivered. The Umpire should...insist upon the striker’s hitting at the first or second ball that comes to him at the spot he indicated...It is necessary to warn the pitcher of the penalty he incurs, every time a new striker comes to the bat. The fairest plan would be to be lenient with the pitcher in the first innings, but afterwards to hold them to strict account, and especially to watch the strikers when players are running the bases, for they are then very apt to be particular as to the balls they want, especially preferring those likely to lead to passed balls. In such cases Umpires should call strikes whenever the batsman fails to strike at the first good ball sent to him. We have yet to see batsmen held to proper account in this respect. This is not fair on the pitchers.”

9/10 BDE—“NEW YORK VS. BROOKLYN—GOTHAM VS ENTERPRISE--...The able manner in which the duties of Umpire were discharged did much towards making the game pass off pleasantly...the sixth rule being well observed...Umpire—Mr. Chapman, of the Atlantic Club.”

9/12 BDE—“EXCELSIOR VS. NEWARK--...had the Umpire observed the sixth rule of the game at all, balls would have been called on (Fletcher) every inning, as not one out of three he delivered were “for the striker”, but not a ball was called during the entire game...all were surprised to see Mr. O’Brien pass it by as he did on this occasion.”

11/13 NYSM—“THE SEASON OF 1864.-- ...the new rules, despite the errors in their wording, worked very satisfactorily indeed; in fact, it is to the introduction of the Sixth Rule, and the amendments to that governing the pitching, that the improved character of the games is mainly attributable.”

11/13 NYSM— “We have received the following from a well-known correspondent...We have experienced considerable difficulty in getting the Sixth Rule observed in this section of the baseball world (Boston), owing to two or three objectionable points of it, viz., the making of bases on called balls and the indefinite wording of the rule in regard to making a step in delivering the ball, the words “time of delivering the ball” being differently interpreted by players. Would it not be as well for the rule to be so worded as to define what unfair balls are? Yours truly, TRI MOUNTAIN."