Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-04-30
The Rock Island Baseball Team
Leaves Tomorrow For
Evansville.
FOR NEW PLAYERS
Two Men for Infield Expected in
Few Days-President In
structs Umpires.

that place May 2. Secretary Lou G..
Eddy will probably accompany the
boys on portion of their first tour
Negotiations are under way for a
couple of players who. if secured, will
add materially to the infield strength
of the team. Terms have been of
fered by mail and reply will be re-
ceived by telegraph, so that it is pos
sible there will be one or two new
men on hand to open the season.
Nothing has been heard from Tom
my Flanagan, the Delaware pitcher,
who has been threatened with the
blacklist if he does not report here at
once in accordance with the contract
he has signed.
A contract was closed by telegraph
today by which f. Ii. Waller, of
Omaha, is secured for second base.
His record shows him to be a strong
man and he has had considerable pro-
fessional experience. He is expected
here by tomorrow morning.
Billy Spratt has been notified he
will be wanted at Norfolk, Va, where
he is under contract in case ball is
played, and where he captained the
pennant-winning team in the Virginia
league last year.
President to Meet UmpIres.
President NJ. Ii. Sexton left this
afternoon for Bloomington, where he
will hold a conference with the UNI
pires of the league and will then pro-
coed on to visit the towns in which
the opening game are being played to
further familiarize himself with the
manner of work the umpires are cap
able of doing and to lend such assist
q ace as may be required in getting
everything in good working order
The following letter, which has been
placed in the hands of each umpire.
briefly summarizes some of the gem
eral rules that will be observed in
conducting the seasons contests:
To the EMPIRES in the Illinois, Iowa
and Indiana League of Baseball Clubs
I-Gentlemen: The duties of the po-
sition for which you have been select
ed are, in my judgment, the most
important and the hardest to properly
fulfill of any in connection with the
game, and good or bad umpiring will
do more to promote or injure the
patronage than any other one ele-
ment.
The rules for the government of
the game give you most unlimited
and arbitrary powers, and the careful
aud conservative use on your part OF
the powers bestowed will in large
measure assist you in becoming
successful umpire.
Always remem Der that during the
progress of game you are absolute
master of the field, and have the
power to order any manager, captain
or player to do, or omit to do, any
action that you may deem necessary
to give force and effect to. the laws of
the game.
1t is expected that each umpire will
enforce the rules exactly as he finds
them, irrespective of his own opin-
ion of any particular rule.
Under no circumstance must you
allow any player. other than the cap
tain, to dispute decision involving
a legal construction of the rules.
VIII Back Decisions.
In a letter to all managers. cap
tains and players 10 this league L
have informed them that the fine pro-
vided for under the rules will be i'm
posed whenever the occasion war
rants it, and 1 wish you to feel per-
fectly assured that will assist you
in an effort to furnish good and clean
exhibitions, by insisting upon the
prompt payment of all just fines i'm
posed, and in all aggravated cases l
shall suspend the offending player for
such period of time as the ofense
merits.
Let me suggest that you pay par
ticular attention to the following:
The balk rule, No. 30. The rule which
requires the base runner going from
home to first base to keep within the
three foot lines. The rule which re-
quires the batsman to retain his seat
on the players bench until called to
bat by the umpire.
In rendering decisions at first base,
be sure that the ball is held on the
base before the runner reaches base,
otherwise the runner is safe. In case
rain is falling during the game, never
suspend play until the spectators in
open seats are obliged to seek shelter.
Always render your decisions
promptly, and from first impressions,
and never try to even up for any error
of Judgment. Just before calling
play, face the grand stand and au-
nounce the names of the battery for
each club.
| trust that you will each put forth
your best efforts, and again assuring
you that 1 will at all times endeavor
to sustain you in promoting the well
fare and best interests of the game, i
am yours very truly.
M. H. SEXTON.
Baseball Notes.
Davenport defeated Dubuque yes
terday. 10 to 1.