Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-11

ssss@sss;essas did not turn hair
for it. To be sure,
the victory award
ed means that a defeat must be recorded
against the New York team, and it is likely
that the umpire's decision will stand
There was a time in the history of base
ball when the New York team were justly
called giants. They were so, comparatively
speaking, in stature and certainly in play
ing ability, but that time has gone and to-
day New York City is represented by the
worst aggregation of ball players that has
come from that city in very many years.
They kcted Like Children.
But along with their poor form as play
ers they acted like children yesterday and
disgustea about 500 people who went to
Exposition Park to see ball game. They
left the grounds in the most unceremonious
manner and without the least semblance of
a reasonable cause. During the morning
drizzlIng rain had been falling but about
noon it faired up and rained no more until
about o'clock. At that time both teams
were on the grounds, and the rain that was
falling was very slight indeed. 1t did not
cause an occupant of the 'bleachers" to
move. At six minutes after o'clock it
was perfectly fair, and at that time the al
legged Giants had left the grounds and were
crowding themselves into a little bus.
Umpire Nacullar prevailed on them to stay
and play the game out, and some of the
team were willing. Gore and two or three
more returned but the wise managers of
the team insisted on clearing out" and
clear out they did. Umpire Macullar was
so earnest in the matter that he rushed out
the entrance gate and stopped the runaways
on the street and again tried to induce
them TO act like men, But they would have
none of 1t.
What Mr.. Powers Claimed.
Manager Powers claimed that the game
was fixed to start at o'clock and that rain
prevented it from starting then. There
fore. he claimed, the game was legally post
poned. Ali the inducements in the world
could not cause Mr.. Powers to take his team
onto the field. Defeat, in his opinion, was
too certain.
The umpire returned to the grounds. OF
course the bell had already been rung to
START the game. The home players went OH
10 the field and Umpire Macullar very wise
IL awarded the game to the Pittsburgs 9 to
O. Before doing so he carefully thought
the matter over and after reading section 1,
of rule %, ne made up his mind. The rule
reads:
"If the nine of club fail to appear upon
q field, or being upon the field fail to begin
the game within five minutes after the um-
pire has called play at the hour ap-
pointed for the beginning of the game, un-
less such delay in appearing or commencing
the game be unavoidable" the game shall
be forfeited.
The Force of the Rule.
That rule leaves little doubt as to the
soundness of Umpire Macullar's decision
The commencement of the game was DELAYED
four or five minutes by an unavoidable
cause, viz, rain, and by all means the New
York team were in duty bound to remain on
the field until some understanding had been
arrived at on the matter. The truth is thev
were on the field when not a drop of rain
was falling and if the rule does not allow a
rain shower an unavoidable cause for DELAY,
it is very difficult to find out what is con-
sidered such when both teams are on the
field.
But Umpire Macullar was prompted to
mis- decision bv a higher motive than re-
warding a victory to team. He had the
public to protect and the 500 people who
went to see the game had right to be con-
sidered.
Umpire Macul!ar's Contention.
AS MI. hacullar polnVeu out, tne spirit OF
baseball rules is to take care of and keep good
faith with the public. If teams can be
allowed to appear on the field and leave
abruptly and without any reasonable provo
cation and because few drops of rain come
down at a certain minute, there will be alb
solutely no guarantee at all that the public
will not be fooled.
To say the least of it, the New York man.
agement acted in childish and cowardly
way and it will, indeed, be a pity it thev
are not made an example Of The decision
OF the umpire will, OF course, be protested.
But in the meantime it will stand as vic
tory for the Pittsburg club and a game won
by Calvin who went into the box yesterday
IN mitch