Evening star., 1897-03-31
sNsrnUCTIoNs TO UMrIREs.

President Y0unH's Good Advice TO
Handlers of the Indicator.
President N. E. Young has sent the fol-
lowing circular letter of instructions to the
empires of the National Base Ball League:
The gentlemen selected to fll the arduous
and Important position OF league umpire
for 1897 are all men of large experience.
and 1t seems almost unnecessary for me TO
issue any special instructions for their
guidance. The very first and most import
ant requisite is absolute honesty OF pur-
pose. Second. enforce the rules just as they
are written, not arbitrarily. but firmly; fet
the contestants understand from the
start that you intend to be master OF the
situation. to discharge your duties to the
very best Of your ability, without the
slightest fear or favor, and the battle. so
far as you are each individually concerned.
Is won and your success assured. 1t is also
very important that you should be On the
alert and be as near to the point where a
play is made which calls for the exercise
OF your best Judgment in rendering a de-
clsion as Is possible You can nearly al
ways anticipate a play OF this kind, es-
peciaily when there are men on bases, and
you should quickly place yourself In the
best possible position to decide correctly
and tntelligently. Never lose sight OF the
ball while It is in play. = 80 sv-a,i s.-
Study the rules carefully and be perfect
master Of every one II there is any rule
doubt as to its proper interpretation, let
me know, and / will take pleasure at all
times In giving you any Information de-
sired. 1t is extremely important that your
rulings upon every question OF law should
be uniform.
l cannot too strongly urge you not to
permit any wrangling or unnecessary delay
in the game The patrons who support the
game pay their money to see lively as
weH as sk1llful exhibition. and 1t is The
duty OF every umpire, as far as he possibly
can, to please them. Too much time ts Of
ten wasted In getting the batter up.' and
players taking their positions in the field.
l think you VIII always find both the cap
tains and the players ready to cooperate
with you IL you are alive yourself to its
Importance and pleasantly request them to
do eo
n any umpire faiN ehtSsyear, with the
support which the faw affords him. and
which was made to be strictly enforced, he
can oher no satisfactory excuse for such
only be demonstrated BY It's strict and intel
hgent enforcement. s6hJaars and patrons
aAke wiH very soon find out whether you
srprssse s5e ~ssS or strong 4nd iy are quick to
ing In doing what he believes to be right.
even though they may ,diker with him as
to a matter of judEm4hf
yGg rnsa penaer ae dss,on hastily and are
you cannot possibly make a greater mis-
take than to try to even up."
II both captains agree to commence q
game IN a drizzliHg rain C,1nless requested
ey both captains to discontinue3. finish It,
unless the rain Should increase to such an
extent as to drive all spectators from the
open seats, or in your Judgment 1t be too
severe for anything like fair playing. The
caihng OF time and game ousaccaIEnt of rain
calls Tor tho exercise OF your Very best
Judgment and the exercise of Armness in
enforcing the same. The calling Of game
en account OF rain before a sufncient num-
fC vn1o tn nnft
game always leads to trouble and cornpli-
cations. and should be avoided II It Is pos
| s,ble to do so.
Do anything at all times that both cap