The times., 1897-08-13
YOUNG And HIS UMplRES
He Has His Troubles and Says the
Abuse Is Fearful.
The Natiocal League President Sup
ported hy All the Fans Who
Want TO See Clean Ball.

President Nick Young has written a
be diiates upon the question of umpires
Unjustly as he has been assailed by q
few minor leaguers in the older organi-
zdtion he comes out of the skirmish with
an average OF / 600 per cent He
writes:
"The abuse that is being heaped upon
those men is fearful. Men whom / wouId
like to appoint decline the position with
thanks Sheridan resigned voluntarily.
lie said he couldn't stand the insults
any longer McDermott weakened and
resigned. Campbell agreed to start in
yesterday, bnt at noon telegraphed ne
he would never umpire in the National
League l expected Conn oily, fine
umpire in the New England League, tn
assist Lynch, bat he declined the posi-
lion with than ks. The league umpire
receives more abuse, performs more hard
work, gets less pay and fewer thanks than
any nan i know. 1t is the height of my
ambition that the best club may win.
Messrs. Byrne and Brush have been ac
cused Of running the umpires, and yet
/ have heard from both of them only
once this season"
Baseball fans who have followed the fine
points of the game will be inclined to
agree with him. The fact is, that the
League seldom gets a notoriousiy unfair
umpire, but players viii often make a
crowd think that it has one.
For instance, when there is a quick
play on base, and the home runner
stands and abuses the umpire for call
ing him out-which he would do whether
the play was fair or-the fans would
agree that the arbiter of the game was a
robber.
The Senators do very little kicking at
home. There are delays sometimes be
cause Capt Brown becomes involved i'll
an argument with the opposing players.
Reilly had a habit, however, of roasting
the umpire and setting the crowd upon
that individual. He was, however, mild
in comparison TO some of the thugs in the
game.
The BIooklyns are mild, so are the
Bost0ns. The Chicagos very seldom get
over the traces, but the Louisyilles, Gin
cinnatis, Clevelands, Baltimores, and Pitts
burgs aie notorious for their roastings of
the umpire whenever play goes against
them.
President Young well says an umpire
has thankless task. He has to combat
eighteen players who are working every
fine point i'll the game. They will lean
cut to get hit by ball, or jump back
when ball goes over the plate. they
viii crawl to touch base after they are
caught, and thousand other little things
They Will seldom hesitate to make any
sort of statement to get any point
TIE umpire, therefore, has no help from
the players. Nor has he any help from the
home crowd generally, for the part that
does the ropting is ready To take any rank
decision that favors the home team, and to
hoos at acy fair decision that may give the
opposition any advantage
Umpire Kelly, the new man on the staff,
who officiated during the Philadelphia
series in this city, yesterday was com
PEELED 20 put Clarke and Kelley, OF the
Orioles. out OF the game in Philadelphia.
and the chances are that he was Justified
in doing so.
The present staff of umpires in the
League is very good one, and generally
very impartial The management of some
clubs have protested against various men
and have made charges against them. but
it viii generally be found that the kickers
are as likely to attack such a capable
Judge OF play and impartial man as En,Slie
as they are TO attack an incompetent.
This, oC course, weakeus their criticism
Indeed, there IS much to be said for the
Umpire. He generally keeps his silence
He does not air his grievances daily.
But if he wished to talk what a tale he
could unfold.