The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-24
JOHN T. BRUSH and THE
ROWDY BALL RULE
The Cincinnati Magnate's Let
fer to President Young.
Lax Enforcement on the Part of the
Empires.
Defines His Exact Status on the
Question-Instructio to
Manager Ewing.

yohn T. Brush, in his reply to critics in
reference to the charge that his own club,
the Cincinnatis failed TO obey the So
called Brush law. makes frank state
ment, verified by official orders and CORE
spondence. that not only does him credit,
but ought to silence those carping critics
who seem TO believe that no good can
come from the Cincinnati magnate. The
records do not show that any magnate in
the League tried as persistentiy did Mr..
Brush TO have these laws enforced.
The following letter 10 President Young
and the order to Manager Ewing will place
Mr.. Brush in his true light before the pub
lie:
indianapolis. Ind. MAY :. 1875
\. Z. Young. President National League Wash
ington, D. {.
Dear sir; I wish to enter my protest against
the responsible parties who umpirrd the last
game Of ball between the Cincinnati and Pitts
burg Clubs the Cincinnati grounds Incom-
Potency l. my charge Pittsburg had runner
on first base, the batter hit little infeld fly.
which fell midway between the pitchers box
and first base. Beckley, who was playing first
base, failed 10 catch the 1y, but recovered the
hail and threw il 10 McFhee, who was standing
on second base ahead " the runner who when
Ike saw the ball had not been caught, tried 10
reach that base
! understand that the assistant umpire declared
both men safe aud afterwards declared one Of
them out. While the rules settle the question
Of an out, II there was To BE- one, and the UNI
pire may have changed his decision. Whicl. i'm
plies II lie did. that Of them wrong,
yet this i not Tor what | charge him with being
Incompetent. During the argument which follow
cd the entire outheld Of the Cincinnati Club LETT
their positions and gathered around the unpirc
at second base, in violation Of the rules aud the
umpire allowed it. l claim that the three play
efs shoHd have been removed from the Cincinnati
Club for violation Of the rules and I was sur
prised and disguised TO that no attention
Gas paid 10 it.
Reports are frequently published going 10 show
that umpires are drifting into the old methods.
and may expect very soon To- have the same
trouble that have been having and the
public will conclude that prefer TowdyiSn 10
clean sport / have taken the liberty TO enclose
q request, which, If not Incompatible with your
instructions, ! would like TO have served upon
the uinpires that there may be no IniSundcr-
standing as 70 how the Cincinnati Club stands
upon this subject.
I also enclos~ copy Of my letter 10 Manager
Ewing upon this subject. II every umpire would
promptly remove every PLAYER who violates the
rules II would cure the evil, II quickly.
and IL would STAY cured. and II the umpires do
not start out upon this plan and in the outset
meet the offences promptly with the remedies
furnished them. their usefulness far a. pre-
serving order aud the best Interests Of the gamr
are concerned Is al al end. Respectfully yours,
J. 7 BRt 'SIi.
Indianapolis. Ind. May = 1895.
n. f. Young, President National League. Wash
ingtOn, ID. &.
Dear sir: The management Of the Cincinnati
Club respectfully but earnestly requests That you
instruct your umPires to promptly and without
hesitation eniorce the rules against any and every
player Of the Cincinnati team who violates the
agreement signed by all The club presidents, and
particularly the rules against protesting . dcci.
sion Of the umpire, by removing them from the
game Respectfully yours, J. T. BRUSH.
Instructions TO Ewing.
Indianapolis, Ind, May Z. 1893.
William Ewing Manager Cincinnati Bail Club,
Cincinnati, Ohio
Dear sir: ! desire more TO call your at
tention To the agreement signed by all the club
presidents, at 81. Louis, with reference TO UNI
sPOrtsmsnlikc conduct upon the bal field, copy
OF which agreement has been furnished 10 the
players Of the Cincinnati Club. am led 10 this
because Of the action 81 certain players on the
Cincinnati team in a game recently PLAYED be.
tween the Cincinnati and Pitisburg Clubs
stated in my remarks nj the beginning OF tn,
season. when ] presented to the club the recent
isafiou. that 1 did want rlaver m IN.