Litchfield enquirer., 1875-08-26
A ''True story ?"

Mir James Aldis, umpire in the recent unfinished game between the Nameless B. B. O., of this place. and the Nutmegs of Wolcottville, inserts the following card in the Wolcottyille Register:
 To the Editor of the REGISTER:
 notice in this weeks issne of the Litch- field Enquirer quite an extended article which purports to be an account of an at tempt to play game of base ball between the Nameless club of that place and the Nutmegs of Wolcottville: and 20 far as the article in question reflects upon the rulings and action of the umpire beg leave to present few facts which seem to haze been neglected, either willfully or through lack of information.
 The fncts are these. After selecting an umpire, which was a matter of some diff culty, there being no Litchfeld man who was willing to assume the position al- though several were importuned to do so, the Nameless won the toss and sent the Nutmegs to the bat, who were retired in the order of striking. one of the three be- ing one of the strangers"
 The Nutmegs then assumed their posi- tions in the field, the "strangers" taking the positions of pitcher and catcher. Play was called by the umpire and the pitcher at once delivered the ball which had Q most remarkable effect upon the players of the Nameless club. They seemed fright ened and commenced talking and acting in very excited manner rushing about and finally went into the field in body and obstructed the game. The umpire considered these unusual proceedings un- necessary and called for the striker a num- Der of times who was not and after the expiration of eight minutes called the game. The Nameless club at this time returned from the field and concluded to continue the game under protest but 1t was too late, they had obstructed the field, failed to produce their striker, game had been called, and the Nutmegs had return ed from the field. It was at this point that the Nameless club placed their striker in position, and if they had not lost their heads and before obstructing the game called for time, which they did not do, they could have continued the game until the rain put stop to it which was their intention, for l heard two of their most prominent players make the remark that it would rain in few minutes and the re- suit would be drawn game. And in the light of these additional facts the rule which they quoted to sustain their posi- ton proves their own wncondemnation. Such briefly is the "True Story" as far as the Umpire is concerned. In regard to that part of the article that refers to shabbiness and fraud in the playing shall say noth- ing but shall leave it to others whose ex- perience with Litchfield ball players ex- tends back twenty years.
 JAMES ALDIS.
 The material averment of MT. Aldis' card is that he ''called for the striker 8 number of times who was not forthcoming and after the expiration of eight minutes called tho game" The statements of Messrs. Mower and Hale which we give below show how much reliance can be placed on the word of MT. James Aldis, and their statements can be corroborated by those of large number of persons who were present at the discussion on the grounds, and afterwards at the Mansion House:
 EDITOR ENQUIRER:-In the last number of the Wolcottville Register is communi- cation from the umpire purporting to be "True Story" of Gan attempt to play q game of base ball between the Nameless and Nutmegs. If this is true account, why did he not give it when Le was asked, after the game, the reasons for his deci- sion? At that time he, Tn the presence of several witnesses, admitted tue truth of the facts as published in last weeks En- quirer. He did not call play but was asked to do so several times. The Nameless were not. as he states. demoraliFed by the pitch ing: They did not rush into the field in a t.~ay Oalu ~ vf GleIr Elaycrs, ulIvnI the strange" catcher referfed 10 the Nit meg captain for an explanation concern ing the strangers, went out into the field. They then came in from the field followed by the Nutmeg captain and all his club, whereupon the Nameless entered their protest in their presence. The Nutmegs then refused to play unless the protest was withdrawn. This the Nameless re. fused to do. The umpire did not at any time call for the striker but was constant ly reminded that he was ready. The um- pire, shortly after the game, said that he called the game not because the Nameless were not in position, but because of the protest which he considered in the light of . refusal to play. All this time the Nutmegs were out of their positions and were crowding around the umpire. The remark about rain which he partially over- heard and tried to pervert in his defense, was a request to hurry up as it was going to rain.
 . .r T. E. MOVER.