Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-01
ABOUT UMPIRES.
The Kind of Men that SucCeed-A
Position Hard TO Fill.

Position Hard to F1ll.
There never before has been one-tenth
the trouble with umpires that is being ex-
perienced this season. The position of
umpire is most difficult one to fill, and
takes a man with experience on the dia-
moud, decisive force Of character, sound
Judgment, imparuality and other talents
TO succeed.
Umpires are deposed for various
reasons. Some have defective eyeslght
and cannot judge well on balls and
strikes. Others have tayorites, and are
incapable by reason Of their natural born
or educated preJudices, to render favor
able decisions. Not a few mIngle too
much with players, and, becoming friend
ly to certain ones, favor them all the way
through. Finally it must be admitted
that there are umpires who are dishonest,
and out OF bribery or other unfair and
illegitimAte means tail in the end.
The American Association began this
season with four umpires-IOung, Mack,
Carlin and Kelly. OF these the veteran
John Kelly only remains. Among those
who have regularly served in the interim
are York, Morton, TunnisOn, Ferguson,
Clinton, Quinn, Valentine, Bradley, and
others. The corps OF umpires Row is
Kelly, Valentine and Bradley, with one
vacancy, which Will be Immediately
nlled.
The Southern League began with
Green, Brennan, McQuade and Cushman.
Green was no good. and gave up the Job.
Cushman resigned TO take the manage
ment OF the Charleston club. Ben Young
was appointed IN Green's place, and after
half a dozen games was succeeded by
Hengle. Burns was appointed to succeed
Cushmau. The rule adopted al
the league meeting on Monday or
ders the release Of any umpire
upon the protest OF four clubs. Two or
three protests have already been made,
Chattanooga filed a protest against Bren-
nan on Monday. The position is a diff
cult one to I'LL, and there are few men who
succeed in il. Perhaps the greatest and
most successful umpire that ever regu-
larry served was Ferguson. now manager
OF the Metropolitan club. He is man OF
an iron nerve, strictly honest, and cold
and uusociable "a az Iceberg. Re avoid
ed players, who always held him in fear.
A number OF stories are related OF Fer
Euson's habits OF discipline while Oh the
ueld. lie was once a ball player, il will
ne remem Oered as well as an umpire in
both the league and association. One in
cideut concerns Arson, the biz Captain
and first 5aseman OF the ChlcagO's, who
generally did as be pleased despite the
rules. IL occurred in Boston, when the
ChIcAgos were playing with tue home
team. The situation on the field was a
critical one. Arson had reached third
base and a run was the only thing in the
world he cared for. Mike Kelly, as usual,
was on the lines yelling himself hoarse.
\ critical opportunity finally presented
itself and Kelly cried out:
Go in. now! Go in. Run hard! -
The advice y as wholesome, and Arson
lost no opportunity ia taking II. With q
desperate rush ne started FOR home plate,
aud slid in just as the catcher received
the ball. In the excitement OF the mo.
meut Ferguson called Arson out almost
at the same time that the Boston catcher
caught the ball.
..Tnars not out. Bob" yelled Arson,
brushing OF his clothes and advancing
upon the umpire much ike a prize
lighter.
That's out" returned Ferguson, very
EN- pdaticslly.
when did you drop on TO that ruler
said Arson, holly. Its not in the BOOK.
I'll get II for you"
30, that's 4 little rule OF my own" said
Ferguson. land il you don't stop talking
about j; III See YOU after the game"
The matter dropped rglt tnere.
Another story Is tod % tue summary
manner 10 which Ferguson often disposed
~ ball players VINO ielt inclined 10 give
him pointers a. u low ne should rule. of
all t-Iugs O the world Ferguson dislIked
most player who would make Qulcs
n4uf a. tIm vita a view OF yr- iudiciug ais
decisions. While acting a. umpire be al
WAYS Kept a safe distance between him.
self and TIE players. holding that when an
umpire is a laIl fellow well met with
every ball t1ss=r taat comes 10 his
way be Will mako out poor and
inefficient umpire. In this counec-
ton. Mr.. j. J. Eagar, formerly q
tue league stan n umplres. tells TIE FOL.
lowing story Of Ferguson: 81 forget WHO
tue catcher was, said Mr.. Egau. ANY.
bow it was 10 great game East. ard the
catcher was a very smart young man.
4 ne pitcher threw a fair ball sQualely
over the plate. Ferguson had already
called three balls. and whenthis one was
caught oy the catcher. be quickly tlraed
around 20 Ferguson and sharply said:
"'Strike. Ell:
THAT'S a ball" said Bob.
"A WHAT said the catcher.
"A ball. Now you 20 on and play
the very next 0all," said Mr.. Eagau,
was as iair one a. ever | saw. The
catcher made the same bluf, and Fergu.
soR SAID: That's I'VE balls. The next
time you do that Iii FIRE YOU You can
bet that toe catcher kept quiet during the
rest OF the game
Another time DUNLAP. thdzreat second