The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-13

SSuoW-NtFy yellow
performance of the umpire, for they
suffered too at his hands. There has
peen and Is now disposition among
the members of the press, who write
sporting news, TO take things philosophi
caily, and not speak Ill of any one unless
they so richly deserve II; that the public
demand that the offending party or par
lies be reprimanded and the public made
cogniZant of their-well. 10 be charitable
me Virginian will say short comlngs.
Yesterday afternoon was the time and
the Portsmouth ball park the place, the
occasion being a game between the
Changers and the Blue Birds" Cline.
who in his first circuit of the league
cities gave such general satisfaction, is
the man OF whom The Nirginian speaks.
He was just simply awful and gave the
VISITORS the game, apparently, without
ths least compunction. His decision on
balls and strikes, fair and foul hits and
base decisions were of the rankest and
rottenest kind imaginable. An amateur
off the lots could have done better. and
II ne VIII only keep such work up long
enough 10 reach tw more cities, he like
several of his predecessors. will undoubt-
ediy be looking for another lob
Richmond took advantage of all his
yellow work and profited thereby, and
no one blames them. They would have
been very foolish they had not, but
Notwithstanding the great effort the
Blue Birds were making to capture the
game, they would never in this wide
world have accomplished their object
but for the very able and profitable as
sistance of he who essayed to be the
referee in the game. Let us see, in the
hrst inning Mari hit for one base and
went to second OH error of Wells, and
took third on Magee's out at first
Rieman hit line bail down third base,
and 1t went as fair over the bag as
II is possible for ball to do, and was
good for two bases, and of course
Mari would have tailed. but Cline said
foul and stuck to it, and the side was
retired without a run. His next feat
OF drowsiness came when double plav
was completed, clean and perfect, vet
only one man was declared out, and he
tne eighth came another stroke
Tor the Hustlers, when Nc
Namara punched Kahn out, as we'll and
as pretty as man was ever famed
yet. Cline in his wisdom ruled other
wise, and Barley" finally landed out n
nit. Then again a close decision. The
only close one of those mentioned was
with Groves at the plate. This re-
CURED good judgment. and The Vir-
ginlan VIII not undertake to dispute his
decision In this particular instance,
nut The Virginian will say that at no
game this season in the city of Ports
mouth has any club suffered through
the rotten" work of the umpire ms
did the home team yesterday
The above is a plain. unyarnisbaa
statement OF facts and the several hun
dTed people present, whether friend or
zoe, know that what Is said In this con
nectlon is true in every particular. Now
IL Is hoped when the different clubs meat
that FAIRNESS of the referee will be ono ~
IT'S most pleasant features and when
there Is any man on the staff who cannot
give better satisfaction than did C,Hno
yesterday, then the best thing to ao fnY
all interested Is to fire" him. and GO,
some one who can and will deal iu.ei,
by both teams.
Portsmouth punched two doubles ~
the third, which with an error os De-
der's gave them two runs. ana aeajn -,
the sixth, three singles and a fielder.
choice Melted them three runs. shown
how hard Portsmouth was PLAYING haii
Malarkey was fortunate in his wiidnas.,
only one man scoring who So. his ha :.
directly through him, while on the otba,
hand three men tailed who were ejtbe,
MT or given their bases on balls IN
visitors punched their hits in the secnn,
and eighth, and hustled to win on h.,
this would never, never have been don.
save for what has already been saiT
1t IS to be hoped that, after takine :.
good sleep, and getting somewha
ashasned OF the part he took in the gam
yesterday, that he Will brace up. an,
have seine Judgment and discretion !,
the game to-day.