Clipping:Hints to umpires on calling balls and strikes
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| Date | Saturday, August 7, 1869 |
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| Text | The following hints to Umpires will be found useful, and should be read attentively by every player: THE PITCHER 1. Never call on the first ball. 2. Never call a ball until the pitcher has been warned. 3. After stating to the pitcher where he is to pitch, call out the words, “Ball to the bat,” on the next unfair pitch. 4. After having warned the pitcher, call the next unfair ball, and follow it up with successive calls if unfair balls are pitched. 5. Never give two warnings while one striker is at the bat. “One warning for each striker.” 6. Never call until the ball has passed the striker. 7. Every ball pitched over the head of the batsman must be called, provided the pitcher has been warned. 8. Every ball pitched on the opposite side of the striker must be called. 9. Every ball touching the ground before passing the home base must be called; likewise every ball pitched beyond the reach of his bat. 10. The Umpire should remember that the intention of the pitcher should have nothing to do with his decision. He must call whenever unfair balls are pitched, whether the unfair delivery arises from inability to pitch or not. The Umpire should bear in mind that it is not optional with him to be strict or lenient; he must be strict at all times in enforcing the rules, or he is incompetent for the position. THE STRIKER 1. Call a strike on the first ball, if it is pitched where the striker desires. This rule should be strictly observed, for it is the duty of the batter to be as ready for the first ball as for the second, third, and so on. 2. Never call a strike until you have warned the batsman. 4. [sic] When a player is at first base, and the striker is at all over-particular in regard to balls, warn him at once, and call strikes on him promptly, when fair balls are delivered. 5. Also, when darkness or storm is approaching, and it is to the advantage of the striker, or the club he plays for, to delay the game, at once give warning, and promptly call strikes on every fair ball. 6. Should it, however, under similar circumstances, be to the striker’s advantage to hasten the game, and for the interest of his club for him to strike out, do not call strikes on him, even if he hit at the ball, unless it be a ball which he can hit and would have selected in the early part of the game; as the rules particularly prohibit any wilful striking out. 7. Remember, too, that in calling strikes, if the batsman is in the habit of striking at a ball of any particular height, and yet calls for a ball lower or higher than he is in the habit of striking at, for any special purpose, you must call strikes on him if he fails to hit at the ball he calls for, whether they really suit him or not. 8. You can only call strikes on a batsman for his refusal to hit at balls within the legitimate reach of his bat. 9. Finally, remember to be very strict in calling strikes whenever players are running bases, and especially when a player is on first base; and also be strict when it is getting dark or a storm is approaching, and delay is advantageous to the striking party. |
| Source | Philadelphia City Item |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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