The age-herald., 1902-04-19
UMPIRE TRIES ID
 STEAL THE CAME HaIIer's Men Leave Columbus
 Ball Field CALLED FAIR BALL FOUL Hit Meant Three Runs for 5irmlng- ham, and the Umpire Could Not Stand 1t to See Geor-
 gla Lose.
CALLED FAIR BALL FOUL

Columbus was awarded yesterdays game with Birmingham by a score of g to In the beginning of the fourth in ming because of the action of Birmingham players in leaving the field. The cause of the withdrawal of Hallers men was q decision of the umpire in which fair ball knocked over the fence was called a foul.
 At the time of the trouble Birmingham had two men on bases when one of the players caught good one on the end of bat and sent 1t sailing over left field fence. The umpire called the ball a foul though every Birmingham player and many of the spectators assert the ball was fair by several feet. When his decision was rendered he was immediate ly surrounded by a crowd of kicking players representing both teams. large | number of the spectators rushed out upon the diamond and for time it looked as | If riot would occur.
 A number of policemen were called and l by persistent efforts they finally calmed | the crowd. When the umpire refused to change his decision and one of the po- licemen handled a Birmingham player rather roughly the latter team left the field. The umpire then awarded the game to the home club
 The story from Columbus is as follows: Columbus, Ga, April 1S.-(SpeciaD-Th Columbus ball season opened this after noon with a game with the Birmingham Southern League team. Six hundred peo- pie were present and no ball season has ever opened so auspiciously in this city. In the last half of the fourth inning the Birmingham team left the field in a body on account of decision of Umpire James Smith of this city and the umpire gave the game to Columbus by a score of g to 0. The game as far as 1t progressed was a splendid exhibition of clean, fast ball playing. Neither side had scored and only one player. Blankenship, had gotten as far as third base. Lipp, Birmingham's pitcher, did fine work, player after player on the local team flaming out.
 Only three hits were made during the game. Patton, formerly of Rome, Ga., Columbus new pitcher, was in the box, and the local rooters were delighted with his speed and control of the ball.
 In the last half of the fourth inning a Birmingham batter knocked a ball over the left field fence. There were two men on bases and this would have meant three runs. Umpire Smith declared the ball a foul, and almost immediately he was surrounded by number of players of both teams A Birmingham player called him a liar and it looked at one time as if there would be a free-for-all fight Hundreds of rooters ran out on the grounds, and it took several policemen to restore order. The ball went on the out side of mark on the fence known as the dead line, and the umpire said that that was the only mark to determine whether a close ball over the left field fence was a foul. The ball was, however, within the line by a number of feet.
 Tonight the Birmingham team agreed to remain over and play the second game tomorrow. They claim that not only the umpire's decision, but the rough action of one of the policemen caused them to leave the field.