Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-20
Recent Base Ball 5 Legislation in
Favor Of the Patrons.
TRYING TO SUPPRESS .RoWDYlsH
Double Umpire System and Four
Trips Of the Clubs.
BUNT SACRIFICE DISCUSSED

After reviewing the proceedings of the
Philadelphia one cannot but praise the
wisdom and keen foresight of the base ball
moguls From start to finish the patrons
of the game were given all they have asked
for. and it might be added, even Fore
W lille thousands of the patrons abhorred
the vulgarity on the field. hardly a handful
will indorse the drastic measures of putting
a player out of the game permanently for
a breach in this direction. And it is a
question whether President Brush really in
tended his resolution to go that far. Blu,
the resolution can do no harm, no matter
whether it proves lead letter or not
AS an illustration. suppose certain play
ers SO far forget themselves as to lapse
into their old habits at the commencement
of the season, and a good man like Umpire
Emslie suspend them and send their cases
to be acted upon to the committee that is to
yet be appointed. Between the time OF
suspension and the hearing of the case j
week at least will elapse, and by that time
Mr.. Emsie concludes to not press the case.
The tabooed player WIN then resume his
place on the field. But he is a marked
man. Will he take the same chances:
again? Not in a hundred years, for the
simple reason that under the same circum-
stances the umpire would be compelled by
the magnates to press his case.
This is the most favorable light in which
the resolution to suppress rowdyism can IL,
viewed. A more ultra view would carry the
resolution and action thereon up to the
courts of law, and when has base ball 1egis-
lation ever been sustained by the courts ?
I his is accounted for ON the inequty of
base ball contracts which entirely favor the
club owners and this side of the case
would hold good when it comes to suspend
ing ball player from earning living. II
is boycott pure and simple.
The punishment for the offense is entire
ly too severe. Thirty days suspension
should be made the maximum punishment.
The loss of one good man for that length Of
time might prove tremendous loss to q
team. financially and otherwise, and would
cure the evil quickly.
Another feature of new legislation in pre-
pairing a regular schedule for the umpire
staff, which is to be doubled TO allow two
men for every one of the Id games next
season. is a good one. The schedule will be
designed to cover all league cities alike, SO
far as distribution goes, and should work
we'll 1t will undoubtedly be Il good thing
for the umpires,as well as the public, as the
former must be made to feel secure and not
be burdened with the oppression of removal
transfer at the protest of captain or
manager. If the ump1res are not nude tn
feel safe in their positions all the regula-
lions the league Gould devise ould mot
remedy the evil the public complained of.
In keeping the umpire schedule unknown
to. all save President Young, much of the
trouble will be overcome. In the selection
of umpires Mr.. Yorpgls task next year
should be comparatively easy. The claim
that 1t will be harder to pick twelve men
than six to act as umpi"es will not hold
when analysed. The treatment accorded the
Indicator holders uStfIe last three or four
years has kept many self-respecting men
out of the business of acting as arbitra:-
ors, but with the Brush resolution in view
respectful trea tmsnt lis assured and good
umpires will be picked up as gold nuggets
are reportedsto be found in, the klondike.
A little quiet think will bring TO mind at
least twenty-five exiplayer5 who would
prove good umpires. and this class should
be given the preference. aThen again there
are old players who have drifted in the
minor leagues on account of age and a
falling off in playing ability, who would
very likely snap at the chance OF earning
money as umpire if they are assured Of
fair treatment 1t is reported that the
salaries of the umpfres will be reduced con-
siderably from the past seasons figures,
but it IS doubtful if men like Emslie and
Lynch will be subjected to this cut 1t is
no more than right than this pair should
receive. more than the new men. if for nc
other reason than that their past duties
have been done well, but outside of this
fact there can be no question but that these
two are in a class by Themselves. and lit
will take several seasons to develop their
equals. But the work will be easier next
SedSOH, anu IOF tnlS TelSoH d man Il lew
points shy In the matter of arbitration
abilities should be able to give satisfaction
and retain his position.
A piece of legislation that is yet te
prove its worth, but which on paper look:
to be worthy of solid gold frame, is the
doubling up Of the visits that each clut
will pay the other during the coming sea
son. This schedule has not received the
attention due to it through its Importance
not alone upon the attendance attracted
by new faces, but from the benefit derived
by the weaker clubs in playing sense
Instead of going away for month. as last
season, two weeks will be about the long
est period club will be away from it's owr
battle ground. Clubs like Washington
Philadelphia, Brooklyn. Louisville. Pitts
burg and St. Louis undoubtedly play theil
best with their local admirers urging them
on. Next season these clubs will go away
for about twelve games. and then return te
play about the same number. While away,
say they win two and lose ten. A bad
showing on paper, but not in reality, when
the strength of the opposing clubs is con-
sidered. The clubs then reverse this order
and win ten on their home grounds and
the lost ground is recovered. Some might
claim that this will make the. strong clubs
stronger and the weak clubs weaker. bu
mt CT ~, 1o,-n Wit, ~,