Clipping:The routine use of substitute runners for pitchers; courtesy runner

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19C Clippings
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Date Sunday, September 6, 1874
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It has come to be almost a custom with some clubs to insist upon having a substitute to run for the pitcher, although no such privilege is allowed by the rules, no substitute being allowed to run for any player in a nine unless by consent of the opposite party, except in cases of positive inability to run from illness or injury. In the match at Hartford on Thursday–says the Hartford Times–“considerable delay occurred on the start because the Mutuals refused to play unless a substitute would be allowed to run for Mr. Matthews, whom they claimed was physically incapacitated for doing his own running. The Hartfords, very properly with think, insisted that Matthews should run. Because he happens to be a very skillful pitcher, and because he, unfortunately, is not physically strong, is no reason why the Hartford Club should save him to slaughter themselves with.” Of course the “illness or injury” which would disable a pitcher from running the bases would materially interfere with his pitching, and if he is able to pitch he generally is able to run. This substitute business has been run into the ground this season. In one amateur club they have carried it so far as to put forward their swiftest and best runner to act as base-runner for three or four of the nine, a most unfair proceeding, not to mention the direct violation of the rules it admits of.

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

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