The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-18
HOW the Clubs stand.
GAME Thrown OUT.
Protest Against an I'm
pire's Decision Upheld.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO May 17.-Directors of the
Western Baseball League met here to-day
to discuss their troubles over umpiring. AS
a result 800 fines each have been imposed
on Catcher Fred Lake. of the Kansas City
club and Outfielder Burnett, of the Detroit
club. Catcher Lake a few days ago took
it on himself to administer personal chas-
tisement to Umpire Graves at a game in
Kansas City. Early in the season Burnett
administered a Corbett uppercut and
Fitzsimmons hook on Umpire Ebright at
Detroit. Neither incident was agreeable to
the umpire concerned, and some of the
Western League officials thought the prize
fighting afterpiece discreditable to the
reputation of the game. Hence to-day S
conference in this city, which was attended
by Magnates Johnson, the league president;
Killilea, OF Milwaukee; Lotus, of Column
bus; Vanderbeck, of Detroit, and Leadley,
of Grand Rapids. Said President Johnson:
1.-The league has brought out some of the
most successful umpires in the country
Sheridan, Mcdonald, McDermott and
others-but unfortunately we cannot keep
them, as the National League takes them
away from us. This year we have had to
experiment with new officials and trouble
resulted. With old umpires who had gained
the confidence of the players this trouble
would not have arisen. We hope soon to
have things going smoothly again.
The directors considered several other
cases. Pitcher Scott, who was in conten-
ton between the Detroit and Grand
Rapids clubs was awarded to Grand
Rapids. While member of the Newark
club Scott's release was bought by the
Grand Rapids club, but the Detroit club
put in a claim for him. The board held
that Grand Rapids was entitled to him,
having given an outfielder in exchange. Al
most a similar case was decided last year
against the Grand Rapids club, in the case
of Brunskill, but at that time Deacon
Ellis owned both the Grand Rapids and
Newark clubs and the directors held that
it was not fair for him to make such
deal under the circumstances. The Scott
case came up before the national board at
its April meeting in New York, but was
referred back to the Western League.
The game played in Milwaukee April %,
won by the Minneapolis club, was thrown
out by the directors on account of failure
to observe the rules by Umpire Lally. A
Minneapolis player was running to second
base when the Milwaukee catcher threw
and hit the umpire. Under Rule 40, Sec
ton 4, the runner is required to return to
first base, but Lally allowed him to perch
on third. Manager Mack, of Milwaukee,
protested the game and as 1t was q plain
violation of rules the game was thrown
out.
During its first series in Indianapolis the
Detroit club forfeited a game, leaving the
field because of an umpire's decision. In
dianapolis refused TO pay over a share of
receipts and the board decided that the
HOoSterS must pay this
The board rejected the claim of player
Weimer against the Indianapolis club.
Weimer's contract with the indianapolis
club dated from April q to Sept. p and
he was injured April during the practice
season. He then went to his home in Iowa
Subsequently when the Indianapolis club
asked him to report he refused to come
demanding his release and salary for work
during the practice season. The board held
that inasmuch as Weimer refused to report
when indianapolis ordered him to do so
his claim was not valid.