Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-09

II Is the idea to have a first-class UNI
pire. 10 offciate in the capacity OF chier
umpire. and to govern all matters per-
tanning 10 the umpiring OF games. This
would be an excellent arrangement, and
Mr.. Bets would be most excellent man
for the position, judging from his last
years work seen IN this city.
SHOULD HAVE SCORERS.
Just here II might well be stated that
the matter OF scorers has been a serious
neglect IN the past, and should be rene
died II possible. There should be stan
of official scorers, just as ump!res, and
these scorers should return the score Of
each game TO the secretary of the league,
whose duty II should be to compile from
the official score az the end OF the season
a complete list Of records OF the individual
players and clubs, with their respective
percentages, etc. This has been totally
neglected I'm the past, and should be rem
edied At once.
Any difficulty which might arise would
then be avoided, as there IS no question
about the position Of scorer being about
as important as that Of umpire.
Numerous improvements viii be made
at West-End Park before the season
opens. The grandstand viii be double
deched, 50 as TO hold 300 more people
than at present, and the entire bleache-
RES 10 the left OF the grandstand will
be raised on 4 platform which will put
all seated spectators entirely above the
heads Of the passing crowd. and the park
will be IN perfect condition when the
umpire calls play ball"
Sherer of Roanoke, who was signed by
the Scranton management, seems 10 be a
bone OF contention. Ted Sullivan claims
that he accepted the TERMS OF his New
Haven club. 1t will require the Board Of
Arbitration TO settle his case.
Rollins. signed by Portsmouth. claimed
also by the New England League. will
also have 10 so through the same process
before he can play oall this season In
this league.
louisville has traded their crack pitcher.
Bert Inks. to the Philadelphia for Tom
Smith. q twirler Of some reputation.
Jack Doyle. whom the New YorlIs
traded to Baltimore for Gleason. refuses
emphatically TO play with the Champions.
Wells has his hooks out for a short
stop of fine reputation. and Is confident
OF landing him. II secured, he viii be
used as a utility man.
Raffert, the clever back-stop had the
misfortune 10 injure mis- hand very badly
but is sure he viii. be all right when the
season opens.
George Woods. an old-time ball-payer
10 oA1NrA Api a. l'aibAOA 'Ai li' ckdlA VI
umpire. He is said to be clever UNI
pire.
Joe Burke. third baseman for the
Portsmouth team. 10 considered by
many To be one OF the coming players OF
this country.
Richmond will have In Raffart the fines,
coach in the league. His fog-horn voice
is the densest ever heard on this diamond
Thompson. who created quite favor
able impression with the Lynchburg team
last season. has signed to a Houston
CTex) contract.
Psdden. the star second baseman. sign
ed by Pittsburg. will be farmed out e
Toronto. He will. doubtless. be recalle(
as soon as they see his worth
Nick Young. the president and fathel
OF baseball speaks very encoura gingI,
OF the outlook for a prosperous season
He also calls attention 10 the Lousv.ll,
team. which he thinks will push into tn,
first division.
Corcoran. the crack short-stop. has de
cided 10 play with the Detrolts tn,
coming season. They have secured {
valuable man
Captain Boyle. Of the Roanokes. Will
very reticen;, has secured for that city I
very promising team--one that will. lik'
last seasons be credit to the league.
Groves. the heavy hitting out-neider
late OF the Oil City League. has attached
his Dame to Roanoke contract.