The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-12
That WOuId rte "a GOOD Way 20 Set
tie It.

=. GRENADA, MISS, June.l0, 1896.
To the Editors of the Appeal
In your issue of the 9th instant APP
pears communication from the
manager Of the Water Valley Blues,
which demands come answer from us.
We think it peculiarly unfortunate
that unpleasant newspaper contro-
verses should a,ise from contests be-
tween amateur clubs, and we would
be reluctant to notice the commune
cation were it not for some unjust end
gratuiIous imputations upon the
members OF the Athletics and the
citizens of Grenada that the manager
of the Blues has seen iit to inject into
II. OF Mr.. Romberger, the umpire,
we shall have but little TO say.
Whether the intent in his heart was
honest or dishonest we cannot state,
for that ia thing impossible to be
known. The writer has been chsrit-
abe enough to believe him to have
besn honest; suffice II to say, however,
that more grossly ignorant and more
utterly incompetent umpire OF mod
ern game of ball we have never had
the misfortune to sac, and IL has been
our pleasure TO witness much ball
playing by professionals and amateurs.
The error alluded to in the commune
cation, the decision at second base,
was but one OF many grievous errors
against the Athletics, and, 80 far from
being "unquestionably right" we
have the authority OF Mr.. Hengle, the
league umpire, as obtained and stated
by an acquaintance, for the assertion
that the decision was erroneous.
The umpirss decision on balls
and strikes was farce to
behold, and his rulings generally
were greatly to the hurt OF the Ath-
letics. 1t was to this pretense Of UNI
piring that the Athletics attribute
their defect, aud whether or not they
are right, they are, as will be shown
below, quite willing to attempt t0k
demonstrate, As for the charge that
the Blues had heard and had reason
to believe that it wss a made-up Job
to rule our their umpire out and put.
in man who would beyond doubt
give the game to Grenada" we have,
but TO say for oureelf, as manager, an1
for Mr.. T.. l.. Girard, the captain, wht
requests us 10 DO 30 (the only person
in authority over the club, that
far as any such knowledge or inter ,
ton to him or myself is imputed b
the statement in the communicable
it is absolutely untrue, and false |
fact, upon whatever belief founded 0
information stated. Moreover, an
one familiar with the rules OF bias
bail knows that had Romberger
tired neither side could have force
an unacceptable umpire upon Il
other.
Now, in conclusion, we desire TO ]
peat that the Athletics attribute tn
defeat in the last game to the umpi
and that they believe that with
honest and competent umpire tb
can defeat the "Blues." In supp
nj this assertion we desire 10 NJ
this proposition TO the manager Of
"Blue1:" We will play the same
men with the same battery as pl
by the Ath etlCs here, again't
Ime nine men with the same bait
as PLAYED BY the "Blues" h'rs q
priz, OF $500 or $500 a side, tue r
10 he played at the railway par
Oxford or on nj utral giound ten
after the acceptance OF this challe
with an umpire to be named an
lected by disinterested parties,
name Of the umpire not to be
closed until the teams are on
ground; the winning club to
tyo-thirds of the net gate receipt
the loser one.third. This challer
remain open until June IL, 1885.
incloss herewith $50 ~ forfeit fc
5000 game; II made $500, then
10 be the amount of forfeit. Thi
test will determine which team
superior, and the game will sta
its merits. MANAGER ATHLEl
III Memphis is selected as the
Of the contest we will guarantee
a fair and competent umpire, an
dict large and enthusiastic aut
-RAaRRArI RRP