The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-12
JOHN L. AS UMPIRE.
When He Said a Foul Tip Was
Strike That Settled It.

New York, Aug. 12.-John L. Sullivan
acted as umpire at game OF base Dali
yesterday at Weeha vixen.
Many good natured jests were shout
ed at him as he was pulling off his coat
and white Fedora. He put on a golf
cap and was ready for business A
man walked up with mask.
Going to put the muzzle on?' he in
quired, but John L. waved him aside
and shook his head vigorously. He
took his position just behind the pitch
er's box. Foul tips come fast and furi-
Gus back of the catcher and an umpire
who stands there must be spry. John
tried il once and a swift ball cured him
of the hal
He's careful of his tsoly perplexus,'
yelled a boy on the bleacheries.
Sullivan took a ball from box and
ward he placed both hands on his legs
just above the knees and remarked:
play BALL"
rapher walked on the field, and despite
Sullivan's frown, carried his point.
After two attempts the photograph was
taken.
The first ball resulted in a foul tip.
and he didn't see it.
"Strikei'' he shouted.
The specta tors yelled, the batsman
looked surprised and hurt and waved
his hand appealingly to Sullivan. John
didn't understand what it was about,
but he shook his head and yelled again:
''Striket'
That settled it The next two efforts
of the pitcher were called balls, where
at the pitcher turned to the umpire and
grinned, but said nothing.
the beginning of the second half of the
first inning. He had the ball in his
hand. This may have been the proper
thing to say in the days when John
mand is Batter up!''
When Manager Carsey of the home
team went to the bat there was man
on first base. Carsey hit to second
and was doubled up al first. 1t was a
close decision and Carsey remained on
the base
You're outi" roared Sullivan, and
Carsey walked away few steps. Then
he went back again and putting his
foot on the bag looked at Sullivan, VINO
glared-
his thumb in the direction of the play
ers' bench. Carsey got out and the
spectators yelled
In the third inning there was a close
play at the home plate, in which Sui
livan'S decision was admirable and
pleased even the friends of the team
against whom it was given.
On the home team is deaf and dumb
player. When he is at the bat an
other player signals to him the number
of strikes and balls. When he saw
two strikes against him he smiled at
Sullivan in a way that was meant for
sarcasm. AS he smiled the pitcher let
the ball go.
Three strikesI'' Sullivan announced.
Still the batSman remained at the
plate. Sullivan seemed surprised and
shouted:
Get off; you're out!''
Still the player didn't move. 1t is
problenatical what Sullivan would
have done, but just as he stepped fer
ward it was indicated to the batsman
that he was out, and he walked away.
At only one time was there any ques-
ton of Sullivan's decision, and it was
done in most deferential way. A
ball was batted into the crowd beyond
center field, and Sullivan allowed the
batsman second base.
Several of the nine in the field ran up
to Sullivan. He stood with his hands
on his hips as he talked; then he shook
his head vigorously and waved the
players back 10 their positions. This
stopped the argument.
Incidentally it may be mentioned the
game was between the West New
York nine of Weeha vixen and the Iron
sides of Newark. The latter won by
a score of to 2. AS Sullivan got 40
per cent of the receipts, his share was
a bOI1t $500