The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-16

JEvNE WAS INTIMIpATEp.
He Changed His Decision at the Be-
hest of Milwaukee,.

| Manager Watkins writes that the Indian
apolis team did not leave the field at Mil
waukee Wednesday until assured by Um-
pire Jevne that the third man was out and
the game over. The bases were filled and
the score to s, with two out, when Spear
hit fast grounder to Roat, who tossed it
to Stewart. The play at second was so close
that Stewart shot the ball TO Motz to make
sure Of the game, and Spear was not within
fifteen feet of first base when the ball
reached there. Jevne called him out, and a
crowd gathered around the umpire. Wat
kns, Shiebeck and Stewart ran over to him
and asked him for his decision.
II called him CUT" Jevne responded.
(which one?' asked Watkins.
1.-THE batter" replied the umpire.
That settled matters, so the Indianapolis
players got into their bus and went to the
hotel, as Watkins could see no use in re-
maining to take part in dispute after the
game was over. While he was at supper
Jevne came to the hotel and sent for him.
He went out and was informed by the UNI
pire that the Milwaukee players and the
crowd had threatened him until he had re-
versed his decision on Spear and had then
declared the game forfeited to Milwaukee.
Jevne said he had called to tell Watkins
and was entitled to it, and that he would
so inform President johnson. He further
asked Watkins not to say anything about
this admission to the Milwaukee papers, as
he would have rocky time OF ii in that
city If 1t were known he had SO expressed
himself concerning the game. Watkins, in
his protest to President Johnson, set forth
these facts, and stated further that never In
all his experience had he seen an umpire
with the lack OF backbone displayed by
Jevne. He believes the latter to be honest,
but such a thorough coward that it is i'm
possible for him to umpire a fair game.
Watkins says Jevne several times changed
his count on balls and strikes to suit Mil
waukee, and that in Tuesdays game he
called Shiebeck out in direct violation Of
| the rules. Shiebeck stepped across the
plate while the pitcher was in the act of de-
liverng the ball. While in the opposite bat
ters' box it struck him and Jevne called
him out. The rules say that a batsman
can be called out for interfering with a
play. This Shiebeck did not do. as Wood.
who was on first, made no attempt to steal
The most that can be done is to call
strike on the batter. Twitchell had pre-
viously done the same thing twice, and
Jevne contented himself with calling a
OIL lncIc WdS Dul one SlIlhe Oh
Shiebeck at the time, and Jevnes action
contributed to the loss of the game. Wat
kins set forth these facts to President John
son and protested Tuesdays game.
1t is not probable that Jevne did what he
told Watkins he would do, namely, write
Johnson what he told the Indiana polls man.
ager. That would mean his dismissal at
once for acknowledged lack of one of an
umpire's necessary qualifications. His ad-
mission TO Watkins certainly stamps him as
Thoroughly incompetent, and should of it
self be the means of causing the president
and the board of directors TO award the
.ran To Ind ne