The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-06

by this time the outnelu Csue run
ming in with the statement that Burke,
who was judging at bases, had declared
Boyd out at first, tieing the score at
zero. The crowd and the Roanoke team
ne ade an indignant protest, but after
ten minutes OF angry controversy, the
home team was forced to take the field
to save the game from being declared
to 0 in favor of Staunton, and the game
ended with the tenth inning in tie.
This is what THE TINES now under
takes to do.
First, to prove that Burke was an in
competent umpire.
Second, that the Staunton team, in
the person of one Of its principal play
ers, hold that one rank decision by one
umpire justifes the other umpire in
offsetting it by equally rank decisions
the other way.
Third, that Boyd was safe at first.
Fourth, that the Staunton team knew
that they were beaten and admitted it.
Fifth, that Beck was safe at second.
To prove these allegations THE TIMES
afiirms that: First, an overwhelming
game won beyond doubt. Second,
Viox, Blake and Tenley, respectively
third baseman, pitcher and catcher,
OF the Stauntons by their every action
acknowledged defeat up to the time that
they discovered that Umpire Burke had
declared Boyd out. Second, Blake, the
Staunton pitcher, actually left the
grounds with Wigmore after Boyd's hit,
and had reached the street car before
being called back, and in conversation
Blake spoke of their defeat in language
which does not admit OF controversy,
that he acknowledged fair and square
defeat, and that Boyd was safe at first.
AS to the first point, a TIMES reporter
interviewed Manager Apperson as to
Mr.. Burke's ability as an umpire. Mr..
Apperson claimed that he was fully
competent, and had um pired important
games. The reporter asked for dates
and games. Mr.. Apperson could not
furnish them. Mr.. Burke was called
up, and questioned
q. Are you resident of Staunton?
A. No. live at Kanawha Falls, w.
Va. A small village.
Q. Have you ever umpired for the
Staunton team? A. No. g. Have you
ever umpired for the Charleston team?
A. No. q. Have you ever umpired for
A Ha
you umpired before during this season?
A. No. g. When have you umpired and
where? A. For local teams in Charles
ton and Stunton last year.
Mr.. Burke further said that Beck was
out at second, but that he did not call
him out, and that Fultz had his foot on
the bag. We think that dispnses of
Mr.. Burke's pretensions as an umpire,
claiming that runner was out yet not
announcing it. Viox, third baseman,
says that Fultz was four feet from Sec
ond base; that the decision at first was
close.
Blake, pitcher, says Fultz was on the
bag. Did not see any interference by
Beck. Qfhe could see Fultz on the
bag he certainly could see If there was
any interference.) Could not say how
far from the bag Fultz got the ball. 1t
did not look like Beck was safe.
Tenley, catcher, says Beck himself
said be was out. The reporter saw Beck
who denies point blank that he made
any such acknowledgment He says
he ran between Fultz and the ball and
VAS safe on second; that he may have
grazed Fultz's clothes, but not suffi-
GENTLY to have constituted an inter
ference; that Fultz went up in the air
after the ball as he plunged for the
bag. Tenley further said he thought
the first base decision was close.
Fultz says he does not know whether
he was on the bag or not. Beck struck
me on the hip think with his hip and
l had to step behind the line to throw
to first. Twas not wa.c hing for second
base play. l was after the runner at
first. | don't know about the first base
decision. 1t was Close
ne Staunton players know the game
thoroughly. They knew two men we're
out and that only one more was needed.
Fultz would have called for Judgment
at second If he had mad a chance. He
would have called for judgment on the
interference il there had been any,
rather than play for what was neces-
sarily close or losing decision at first.
Blake says Fultz was four feet off the
bag. Fultz acknowledges that he does