Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-04-15
RULES OF UMPIRES
President Sexton Issues Instruc.
tons for the League
Officials.
CLEAN PLAYING IS ASSURED
Extraordinary Powers Vested In the
Men Who Will Give
Decisions.

President NJ. H. Sexton has given
out his instructions to umpires in the
Three-Eye league. The rules are
clear-cut and decisive and if enforced
to the letter, clean, fast and well-con-
Quoted exhibitions of the national
game are assured in the different cit
les during the season about to open.
The instructions in full. are as fol-
lows: enfiu~e 1oI
: In entering upon your duties de-
sire to have you understand that you
will be expected to rigidly and impair
tally enforce the rules of the game;
at all times conduct yourselves in a
gentlemanly and honorably manner;
abstain from free indulgence in in
toXicants. and refrain from getting
on familiar terms with the players
either on or off the diamond So long
as you comply with these instructions
and display ability to umpire success
fully your position will be secure. de-
spite the ordinary complaints of man
ayers, captains or players; otherwise.
your connection with the league will
| terminate at once.
Reiens Supreme.
"You are vested with extraordinary
powers, and can order any manager,
captain or player to do, or omit to do.
any act that you may deem necessary
to give force and effect to the rules
of the game. Be careful and conserv-
ative in the exercise of your authori-
| ty. and try to command the respect
and esteem of players and patrons
alike.
under no circumstances will an
umpire engage in an argument or dis
pute with any player over a decis-
ion. Deal severely with players who
persist in nagging and fault-finding
with your work You are not expect
ed 70 submit, to insulting remarks
from players just before the game is
called or just after fts close. and you
\ have the same power to punish such
otfenses as You have during the prog
ress of a game. Di. ln
Positively no vile or profane Ian
guage will be tolerated. and failure
on the part of any umpire to punish
instances of this nature will be Sc
verely rebuked
I'm furnishing offenders for viola
lions of the rules. a fine of s. must
he imposed for the first offense. to
be followed by the removal of the
offender from the game or ground at
the discretion of the umpire.
| Only Players on Bench.
Compel players of each club to re-
tain their seats on the players bench.
except when sent to the coaching
fines or called to bat by. the umpire.
and under 40 circumstances permit
any person, to sit on the players
benches except the manager. players
in uniform and one bat boy.
Before the beginning of each game
announce to the spectators the bat
teries for each side; also announce
any changes that take place on either
side during the progress of a game.
I'm calling a ball on a pitcher ac-
company your action by motion of
the hand, so that spectators at a
distance may more readily under
stand your decision. Failure to make
such motion would indicate that
you hau called a strike.
Each club is expected to provide
pOliCt SulllCitHI To insure
good order in our parks. and except
in, cases of unusually large crowds
you will request the officers to keep
all spectators outside of the diamond
enclosure.
Must Pay Bills.
"Umpires must pay their obliga
lions regularly. They will not be per-
mitted to borrow money from clubs
Salary checks will be received
promptly on the first and fifteenth
day of each month. and requests for
advance money during the interval
will be declined.
Il will enforce the payment of all
just fines imposed. and in all aggra-
waited eases of rowdyism l will discip-
line theyoffenders in such manner as
will convince the players and public
that the umpire must be respected.
Trusting and believing that you
will put forth your best efforts to-
ward securing clean, fast and we'll
conducted exhibitions of the national
game in our several cities. and assur-
ing you that 1 will at all times enCfeav-
or to sustain you in promoting the
welfare and best interests of the
game, I remain, your very truly, ETC."
Baseball Notes.
Fred Pfeffer who last vaar man