The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-13

Thus Mr. wright viii make pilgrim
ages over the entire league circuit, and
in this way viii be able to keep him.
self informed as to how the work is be-
ing done. Certain uInpires never seem
to give satisfaction in certain cities,
and Mr. Wright viii thus be able to
dispose of many difficulties by making
suita BILE transfers Then there will be
consultations of all the umpires at
stated intervals for the settlement OF
moot points. All the rules differently
constructed in the past will thus be
made uniform.
l have been at pains to consult Mr..
Wright as to his ideas of umpiring,
and know that he agrees on all points
with the views of sensible base ball
lovers all over the country. He asserts
that the successful umpire must keep
cool, calculating and quick. He must
have a positive knowledge OF every
department of the game. In the most
trying times he must be cool-headed
and just, and he must favor neither
friend nor foe. The idea has become
prevalent in the last few years that
the umpire ought to favor the home
club to certain extent. This
idea will be exploded during the
coming SEASON to a moral GER
tainty. Every city, naturally. likes to
see its home club win, but 1 believe
there is not a city in America to-day
where the enthusiasts could feel any
satisfaction through an unjust umpir-
ing of the game merely because it was
in their favorites' interests. In the
west, I know, followers of the game
are more boisterous and more inconsid-
crate in their treatment of umpires
than are the patrons of the game in the
east. An umpire who does his duty
should have no trouble anywhere.
As have said, have tried to give
the umpire question from the point Of
view of the National league experience,
because I believe such method of
treatment viii be most useful in guild
ing all lovers of the sport who have
been bothered by difficulties of their
own in the matter. have taken it for
granted that no man is permitted to
umpire game who has not made q
study of all the rules and who has
shown his ability to decide questions
fairly and honestly. Also, it goes
without saying that no umpire should
condescend to enter into controversies
with players and spectators on the sub
ject of his decisions. Some persons
undertake to umpire game and waste
precious time in answering objections
or in replying to persons who criticise
them. 1t is almost waste of words to
says that as unprofessional games are
played under special conditions all
local points need to be settled in adj
vance.
To get back to the league umpiring.
The umpire in the National league will
hereafter stand behind the bat. He
may go up behind the pitcher when he
sees that close decisions are likely in
the bases. 1 have always maintained,
however, that the umpire's real posi-
ton is behind the bat, and if he be
quick of eye he should be able to give
impartial decisions no matter where on
the diamond the event he judges may
transpire. An umpire in the infield is
likely to interfere and annoy the
pitcher, and may also interfere with
the proper handling of batted bali
knocked to the infield. No more rea-
son exists for men like Gaffney and
Emsley standing in the infield than
there would be for the official scorer to
stand out there.
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