Clipping:Interpreting overrunning first base rule

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Date Sunday, November 19, 1871
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The other matter is one which has occasioned not a little dispute during the past season, viz.: the right of a man who has over-run first base–taking advantage of the new rule on that point–to have the privilege of keeping on to second without returning to first. The present rule requires that he should do so in case he is merely over-running the base, but very many cases have come to note wherein the umpire has been in a decided quandary. Take, for instance, the following supposable case: A striker send the ball to third baseman, and runs for first; he over-run his base a slight distance; the ball has been thrown wildly, and he runs to second without returning to touch first. The umpire is unable to discriminate, not knowing whether the base was over-run ro whether he had attempted to run to second on the bad throw. According to the present ruling, the umpire might decide him out or not as the case might be, and it might be recorded as an error of judgment or a correct decision. Now the proposition in point is, that the man shall declare his intention of running to second or over-running his base by making an angle to the left or right from the base, decision to be based on this deviation. Of course the change from the line must be quick, and the player is sure to make it, as it is to his own advantage. Should he keep straight on, even for a couple of feet, it must be inferred that he is over-running his base, and must return to first before he can attempt to make second. This amendment is absolutely necessary, as we have seen several times this season decisions given on the same point which gave considerable dissatisfaction, and at the same time no blame could possibly attach itself to the umpire.

Source Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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