Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-08
OUR THREE UMPIRES.
The Nsn Who Are 10 Control The DeS-
tiny Of The State League
prrrs HAS EXCELLENT AIDS.
of the Portsmouth Club
Tho "Irisbmen~ Hope TO Lana inc
p..,ant Tbi. sensop-Some OF
NorfoiIs's Players.

Norfolf's Players.
Tho time FOR balls and strikes to be
sppg out in loud tones at West-End Fark
4, row fas, approaching. and before TWO
-. weeks have rolled BY the players
ain All be in the city ready for the Tray
r,. many friends OF the old players
,.,ov,inc more ard more anxious TO
60 their faYorites again. while the
..,-,.sttv OF all lovers OF the game -
.,c,ted 10 see what tho new men
IA, ike some may be like Caylors de-
..i,non ~ "Reddy" Foster, mot much
che handsome" but they are all good
,,u.players. 30 AXE says-and JAKE
knows.
nre NJ The greatest features Of this year
.., ylr,lnia League will be the APP
nance OF competent umpires. Even
s.,rfo.k IS satisfied. and IS rejoicing over
,se prospects OF the rowdyism so common
o. tss national game being excluded this
var bv such excellent umpires as have
been chosen
.rro greatest care has been exercised
tba. wear IN effecting competent umpire
corDs an system. Higher salaries nave
I'm o.fcrea than ever before. and every
rreraution taken 90 secure men 10 pre-
s4rve ms dignity and order so essential 10
the enjoyment OF the game.
Tho league managers, at their meet
Ing here on February lith, wisely selected
Mr. william q. Belts as chief OF umplres'
aud be in turn has been equally as sue
ceseeul IN choosing his two associate
umpircs. A.. oo,,-
Nr Hctts. though exercising entire con,
trol over the otner two umplIss' NJ" w
oficlate IN one game each DAY lli,Ss ~
completing the staff Of three require 5 iS'
me games scheduled each Oly III uA-
ferent cities. 81. ate
Ne Retts has the employment or as
,.tesal II any umpire who shoui- prove
,rsatisfactorv. and has also seLeTdi
sunerylsion over their WORK
TIE CHIEFS CAREER.
-.ho cb,ef ~ u,nplres was born in wash
- I'm iSfs and il feet IL inches
tt,., weighs lS5 pounds, and has Deeh an
,,r,rire for the past ten years. For SIEVE,
,si years he umpired crs ck games IN ana
s-,,,rs washington, during which uine
d. services were In demand.
r, 1ssi he umpired IN the Amateur AIN
nj. Union OF the United States OH
cafirg In the championship games De-
.o.eer Detroit New Jersey, anu Soiuii,
ST., Athletic associations. HIS goou Wolh
e.rIrsI for him the position the follow
t,.v.r on the staff OF umpires IN the
go, League. In 1898 he ump!red col
80 rames around Washington. ana IN
,sst b. ctHciated for awhile in the NH-
-.-,a League. but resigned his positloh
e., oooe-t better terms with the Oll anu
lion League in Pennsylvania
la AUGUST Of the same year ne va
,-,,foted an umpire OF the National
Te.rle by President Nick Young where
De remained for the remainder OF .ne
,aqson. He was re-engaged IN 1870 oy tiS ne
National League ana reiIa.neu - To-
Ture when he resigned 10 enter tht 70
80. "a naoys business. In Washington,
=. g. ..-,..o. N,se.hol,
,esin lint like hundreds OF others ths
eorne had a strong hold on NM anu
ss,sr repeated requests his infatuauoh
90, tho best Of him. and he was pr
slladel 10 return. - .ho
IIis work OF the season. ana also ~ 80
c1o-garnes. was Of high STANDARD. ~, ~
,rou1pt and impartial manner III VIZ. VIZ
ne ofrciated won for him many s'"I' 80
s,-rorters in this city. and II was eooa
-, 90 the lovers OF the game when
q. lane generally known that he wouid
g.. one a. the umpires In 1895. ana also
bs,. fuu charge OF the umpire business
ga general
REMEDY THE EVIL
.-,.- ,,u g, n great measure remedy
ca. ,vu which has existed for the past
Two seasons-that Of having an oillcial
,o.otas in one OF the cities Of the league
,-ltbout salary. No matter how honor
at'e or IMPARTIAL that official would con,
E,o. ,he league affairs, there would. ana
o1rs-s will be narrow-mindeu Class'
who would find occasion TO harshiy S.iu-
@tso hie eNcrts In the case or Ar'
u.,,s &, v-iu be different. He IS not IN
r,-sste5 through sentiment with any par
.t,,,l7- club. but desires 10 nave tue
,errre become q success in every way
fo- The greater the success or the asso'
snton the greater viii be MS ieIu'a-
faa IN connection with II.
SIR Belts has gone TO WORK IN tne prO.
rer way. FOR he has announce ina.
Do win have none but capable men, u
goo3 habits. "a umplres.
THE TWO ASSISTANTS.
As his assistants he has secured TIRE
able services OF George Wood. BALI
r'svsr % national reputation. and I'd
Kline o. Chicago man. who comes Win
most natter.ug recommendations Both
az these men are highly endorsed by
President Mex Young, which Is an as
r1ranca that they are most efficient UNI
I.res W 1900.
WOOD Is WIDELY KNOWN.
The Signature OF George Wood TO the
UMPIRE contract has caused great deai
% excitement among the crenks. as he
o. q famous hase-ballisi He was born
in Boston. Mass. IN ISIS; and after
ravng semi professional baN in Lynn
e-i Worcester he signed with the De-
t--i, team IN 1871. and remained Win
faot club until 1856. when he went with
fHa Philadelphia club. where he played
steadily Until 1870
aar.r the winter OF 1888 he played
'niri base for the All America team. on
is famous trip around the world, with
tha Chicago team IL viii be rernem-
bored that this team was composed or
rer stntatiyes from all the National
feagu. teams, and was managed by
Johnny Ward % the New Yorks.
captain Arson managed the Chica gos.
ana games were played by the two teams
ir Australia. Egypt. Italy. France. and
C-aat Britain. IN 1891 Wood managed
ara cspta.ned the Athletics, OF Philadel-
rtA and was with the Cincinnatis IN
l-
throughout his career as National
League ball-player ne was always re-
sarisi as a wonder. and held a record
o. 'trowing Is yards. He seems glad
% b., able 10 umpire IN the Virginia
Iesgue. and will no doubt prove sue
Cess
CAREER OF CLINE.
Edward VI. Cline, the third member of
i.- umpire corps. is another old ball
player ~ grcat reputation. and an UNI
I.re % the very highest endorsements.
IN fact 80 very hat;erins are his recon-