Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28
How Interested Spectators at a Ball
Game Forget Themselves.
JOIN In ABUSE OF The UMPIRE
President Young Preparing Instruc-
tons for the Latter.
T HE SEASONS OUTLOOK

Uncle Nick Young was thinking when
the reporter of The Star called at league
headquarters yesterday, about a general
letter of instructions to league umpires, in
tended to meet every objection, contention
or questionable point that may arise dur
ing the league season. The gigantic pro-
portions Of the task he was engaged in can
be appreciated by every base bah crank
who ever rooted" for a home team or
''cussed' an innocent umpire.
by George" he exclaimed, Strengthening
up in his chair, this is the toughest job l
have tackled in many days. 1 am trying
to frame a letter of instructions TO the
staff of umpires for the present season tina;
will enable the umpire to be absolute mas
ter of the situation. and at the same time
preserve the rights of the players and the
public. According to our rules. the umpire
may either fine player put him out of
the game for the first offense. He not only
has the power to put the offender out of
the game, but he may also command him
to leave the field. That is to prevent the
player removed from going to the bench
ana tantahzing the umpire throughout the
remainder of the game"
would not the work Of the umpire be
made more easy if the officers of the league
backed up the Stairs efforts to discipline
the players and conduct the game in an Or
derby manner?'
why. surely" he replied. but the diff
ficulty arises as soon as the first ball Ia
pitched. Magnates, managers. players.
rooters. and everybody who follows base
ball. Will sit down in the quiet of their
homes and resolve to enforce the rules
against unnecessary kicking at the umpire
There is something in the game that dead
ems good resolutions, so far as the umpire
Is concerned. for as soon as the first ball
OF the contest starts toward the plate the
umpire becomes the common enemy Of
everybody present. Why, L have seen gen
tiemen occupying high public offices under
the government jump up in the grandstand
and shout to certain home players to
smash the umpire in the jaw, and | will
pay your fine. After the game was over
II some one tried to convince that gentle
man that he had made such a remark he
would have indignantly denied it. So it is
with the lawmakers of the league they in
tend to sustain the umpire in the int crest
Oh iaif pay and clean sport, but il is iffi-
cult Tor two men TO view the same decision
or play with the same result. 1t is going to
test the nerve of the members of the staff
10 put a popular player out of the game on
the home grounds, but 1 believe l have a
stan of umpires who will do their duty
right up to the handle, regardless of the
consequences. Just as soon as the players
discover that the umpire means business,
trey will accept the situation and conduct
themselves properly"
Mr. Young says everything is in readiness
Tor the gong to sound and the command to
pay pan! to be given. Several dozen of
III,
measured and officially stamped Drepara-
tory to distribution among the various
clubs.
When asked to take survey of the field
ana SIZE up the various clubs, the league
president hesitated, for he cndcayors to
remain neutral. His private opinion is that
the struggle in the first division " i'll prof,..-
bly, be between Baltimore, Cleveland pLila-
delpfia, Boston. Pittsburg and New York
He says there may he some surprises in
Washington. Louisville, Cincinnati, Ciica-
go, Brooklyn and St. Louis. From bust
less standpoint he says lie would like 10
See some of those clubs now slated for
positions in the second division jump in
and take a lead at the beginning of tie
season that would brighten the now con-
1dent Baltimores and Cievelands
He says it is difficult to estimate the
strength of the various clubs at this time
for there is no telling how certain players
will pan out in the championship games
There have been changes in nearly all of
the clubs, and men who We're regarded as
weak last season may show up strong this
year. He does not take much stock in the
preliminary trips to the south.