Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-02
FROM HEADQUARTERS
Interesting Views About the Sena-
tors and the League.
ANOTHER UMPIRE DIFFICULTY.
How Things Are Going Along Among th,
Boston Sluggers.
HOW THE GRlUMFIRs PAY THE PLAYERS

WASHINGTON, June 1.-After careful
survey of the field and having seen all OF
the League clubs play here, with the ex-
ception of the New Yorks, I am forced to
say that the position the Senators now hold
is theirs through their own erratic efforts
and lack of team work. In fact they have
been weighed in the balance and found
wanting to considerable degree. Every
club they have so far met has been able to
win games from them with apparent ease,
from the fact that there is no regularity OF
play as team. One day some Of the men
will play brilliant game, and on the fol-
lowing day one is obliged to witness clumsy,
laundering play that is helpful to- the visitors,
but steadily and surely keeps them firmly
anchored to tail end.
It is to be regretted that such state of affairs
exists as President Hewitt has done every
thing in his power to encourage the men to
better work. The local patrons know that they
are not equal to winning all the home games,
but witnessing the same stupid, Indifferent
work day after day cannot but fail to have its
effect ON the present generous attendance.
The most noticeable defect that is daily de-
tected is an almost total inability to hit safely
when men are on bases, foolhardy risks are
taken that always work to the disadvantage of
the club.
Hoy, who last year was called the mute
wonder for his clever work on the base lines,
has thus far shown lamentable lack Of head
work at critical times, and as it is impossible to
coach him, his reckless breaks are very disas-
trous TO run-getting.
While the PiJtsburgs were here had a very
pleasant interview with President Nimick and
also his energetic manager, Horace Phillips,
regarding future prospects of the Smoky City
team. Mr.. NImick is not at all respondent at
the poor showing thus far made by his club,
and with his wellknown vim and enterprise
Pittsburg stock is bound to take an upward
turn. He regards it as particularly unfortun-
ate that he has had so much Ill luck with his
pitchers, but he hopes to be able to pick out of
the number now on the salary list brace of
effective twirlers until Morris and Conway can
recover their old time form.
The Pittsburg team, barring their pitchers
appear to be in excellent form. The infield is
Beckley at first, captured the Washingtons by
his activity on the base, his clever all-round
work. His every movement is that Of Win
ming ball player. Kuehne's work at third
proves him to be a tower Of strength to the
club; his fielding while here has not been
equaled by Denny, Nash, or any or the star
third basemen.
any superior in that position they have not
shown up here this season. The two victories
which the Pittsburg's scored here are largely
due to his brilliant fielding, clever base running
and timely hitting. President Young in speak
ing to me of his exhibition, commended Sunday
in the highest terms and predicted for him a
great record at the close Of the season. Mr.. and
Mrs. Sunday dined with President and Mrs.
Young at their beautiful country home at
Mount Pleasant, last Sunday.
When dropped into League headquarters
Thursday morning found President Young
tion from prominent member Of the League
on the subject'of umpires. The writer stated:
II desire to enter my protest against
umpires standing inside the diamond,
so afraid of the balls hit that they stand within
ten feet of second base and think they can um-
pire balls and strikes from that distance. 1t is
utterly impossible for them to do So and see
no warrant in the rule permitting them to UNI
pre anywhere except behind the home plate.
The diagram of a ball ground attached to our
rules and which by repeated publication is ap-
proved, puts the umpire back of the catcher.
It is impossible, also, for the umpire, standing
in the diamond, to tell whether the ball is hit
fair or foul, If a grounder close to the line. To
get around this difficulty umpires have been
appointing one of the players at the
bat as a substitute to tell them whether
the ball is fair or foul This is a severe test on
a man If the ball be close to the line, and the
man waiting MS Iurn 70 Dat snoulu noI pe leu
into such temptation. Umpires, of course, will
take instructions only from you, and there
fore most respectfully. but earnestly, request
you to instruct all umpires to umpire behind
the bat, and to run down as far as they can
when bases are being stolen. The present sys-
tenn is the LATEST and saves the umpire using
his legs but it is destructive of all satisfactory
systems for fairly calling balls and strikes and
deciding foul balls"
President Young says there Is much wisdom
in the above suggestions, and he has accord
ingly instructed the various League umpires to
render their decisions from behind the plate
and move around in the vicinity of the bases
when base plays are being made.
The Senators leave on their first Western
trip, and may success attend their efforts.
R M. L