The times., 1897-08-23
JOHN B. DAY ON UMPIRES
The Leagues Inspector Giyes His
Views on the Subject
After IA Tour of the Circuit He
Says the Umpires Are Subjected
to Vile Treatmept.

John B. Day, who is at present the
has seen every man on the staff work.
He has made an official report to Presi-
dent Young. In a recent interview Mr..
Day said among other things:
81 know of no instance this season
where an umpire changed his decision be-
cause of kicking and threats of tall play
ers. 1t is explicitly stated in the League
rules that an umpire cannot reverse his
ruling when 1t is based on his Judgment
as to whether a runner is out or not, OF
whether the pitcher delivers a ball or u
strike, or whether hit is foul or fair.
These points must be decided once and
for all by the unpires, for that is why
they are placed on the field. II an UNI
pirc, therefore, under these circumstances
should change his decision, and the facg
should tie officially reported to the presi
dent OF the League, the man would be
instantly disnI ssed. once an umpire
changes his ruling because he is afraid of
/ certain kickers and a disorderly crowd
there viii be no end of trouble. he at
once loses the respect Of both players
and spectators and can no longer enforce
discipline.
"Of course If an umpire makes mistake
In calling two balls instead of three, and
he sees his mistake by looking at his indi-
Gator, then he is at liberty to rectify the
error. If he calls balk and the captains
want him TO explain the reason why by
illustrating the rule to them, he must listen
to them, as their kick is based on the in
terpreta.ion of the rule. II he is convinced,
too, that he has called q balk Illegally, he
can reverse his decision, as provided for in
the rules But with the exception of few
technical points of this sort, he cannot
change his ruling.
~ have had considerable experience with
ball players, and know that they try con-
tinually to blame the umpire for their own
mistakes. If the game is going againstthem
1t is an old trick to find fault with the UNI
pires, so that the crowd and club officials
viii believe that the umpires are robbing
them.
The League umpire staff this year is as
good as itever was. Men like Lynch, Hurst,
and Emslie are surely competent. The
other men are above the average, although
perhaps they have made mistakes. But in
/ blame the players and the Groves. If
an umpire is new the players have no mercy
on him, no matter how well he may have
worked in the minor leagues. They start
In to insult and rattle him by urging the
crowd to roast him, and it is no wonder
that he soon loses his head and makes mis-
takes. Then the unfortunate official is
protested and finally drops out.
''In truth, the umpires are subjected
to such vile treatment, and are SO con.
stantly threatened with violence, that 1t
is a most difficult thing to secure good
men. Many competent fellows say they
would take chance were it not for q
feeling of self-respect. They do not care
20 be grossly insulted without having some
redress.
There is only one remedy. No talking
10 the umpire! The League should pass
the most stringent rules in the fall. No
captain or player should be permitted 10
go near or speak to an umpire, un,ler
any circumstances. Not even in case If
an alleged misin terprcta ton of the rules.
II there should be any point for protest,
then let 1T be written out, with affi-
davits, and be sent to the League to be
decided. Any captain or player who vio-