The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-02

true, but it certainly is true that inter
est in the sport has declined, at least
IN several cities This is due partly
to the bad behavior which has been
allowed on some of the league grounds;
and partly to the fact that the. clubs
in some of the largest cities have been
allowed to decline.
NO MORE PROFANITY AT GAMES.
There is to be a concerted attempt
on the part of managers and league
owners during the coming season TO
improve this state of affairs. The base
ball public will not patronize games
likely to be marred by rowdy conduct
on the part of players or spectators.
The Brush anti-profanlJy rule, adopted
last year, was intended TO suppress
such outbreaks. This season its scope
has been extended to include disre-
spectful language and actions whether
used toward a player, club official, UNI
pire or spectator. Any player who
violates the act may be SUSPENDED,
after a hearing before the board OF
directors. and may also be subjected to
a fine of 5000 or less as the board sees
fit. This rule, rigidly enforced, should
do away effectUally with what is known
as rowdy baseball. The men who have
followed the fortunes of baseball and
who are familiar with the requirements
of the game know that the public goes
TO baseball contests to see the game
pIaved and not TO listen to wrangling
among the players and officials.
Another change is in the improve
rnent in the position of the umpire. a
SUPERINTENDENT of umpires has been
provided to have charge Of this de-
partment- 1t has also been decided
That the umpire shall wear a suitable
uniform on the field. This is a minor
2 SC INF n the
umpire recognition as an authorized
official and to help him to a better
enforcement of mis- rights and duties.
HEROES OF THE DIAMOND.
There are baseball men who are great
favorites with the public. These may
not be star players, but every team
wants them; the Tooters center their
enthusiasm about the particular favor
tie When he goes to the bat there is
q howl; he may make a play in the
field. of no great merit but it is the
cause of a wave of enthusiasm. After
a game the crowd surround him and he
walks to the club house the center Of
an admiring throng.
As a rule these players go their way
and. although proud of the good Will
Of the public, do not get the big
head Such one is Arson, the old
xvay.horse of baseball. The old man
has nr0DaDlY lldln6u itlDIG pay Us Alls1Il
.se1v other five men who have captained
or managed a team. His appearance
OF the field was always q, signal for a
1-oufd of applause. When he stepped
+o the plate there was Volley from
fhe grand stand and bleachers; and
Arson usually responded by hit. His
days OF baseball are passing, but even
now. when Arson walks into the
s-rounds. the crowd crane their neclIs to
gel a view of him.
Davis is another favorite; so is Glea-
son whose grandstand plays set the
.,-o,,-ds wild. Eddie Burke used TO own
the Ieft-field bleachers; the old Burk
1-ilIe of a. few years ago is remembered
nv everyone who visited the Polo
grounds.
GREAT fayorite with the rooters, as are
Jennings. Mike Griffin, Van Haltren,
Tiernan and a score of others. Since
Arson stepped down, Herman is looked
,,non as the old regular Of the game.
The pitchers have great opportunity
N become favorites with the public. A
strikeout when the bases are full, and
two men out, is a sure passport into
the good graces of the crowd. Rusie
occunies a pinnacle which he has
armed by gilt-edged ball playing.
Nichols is always greeted with round
of annIause. Seymour, one of the
Younger generation, is getting there, A
do1en other twirlers might be named in
The same category. Delahanty arouses
fhe crowd. When he goes to BAT, bets
are made among the spectators that
fine bali goes over the fence, ana the
winner is usually disappointed II
Doesn't.
CHANGES IN THE CLUBS.
The principal change in the status OF
he yarious clubs this season comes
rom the transfer almost bodily, of the