The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-29
sLAePlLE SETTINGS.

Umpire George. Wood made frightful exhibition sof himself yesterday, and it Is safe to say that not a single fan left the grounds who was not completely dis gusted at his decisions. The disgust was not from the fact that they thought Bir- mingham might have won but because his awful decisions robbed the game of interest. He was just as bad on one side as the other, and his great fault was that he made decisions before the play had been completed. On one occasion Henley stole second. and while the ball was still in the air he was called out. As matter of fact he was clearly safe. Again on third base Downey was called out before Tamsett caught the ball. Dow ney was clearly safe. His last bad one came off in the ninth inning when Lynch reached first safely after Duffy had been forced out at second. Such work as this so incensed the crowd that after the game crowd of jeering men and boys followed the umpire to the car and two policemen had to walk with him for pro- lection. Such umpiring as that yester- day will soon break up baseball.
 This morning Manager Vaughan is go- ing to read the team a little lesson from the book 'On how to hit" The men will be in uniform at 10 o'clock this morning and will practice batting They want all the little boys in town to come out and help chase the balls. Every kid in the neighborhood Is invited. It is ru- mored that a water melon may be cut but this cannot be confirmed in authoritative quarters.
 Hennessey and Billy Smith did some beautiful throwing yesterday and Mem phis runners were begged at the plate with ease. Those two fellows have as good arms can be found in the league.
 Pylant got his bump yesterday but 1t was certainly not the poor boys fault. His only weakness was his failure to cover first base when Vaughan was field ing the ball. This is one of the usual faults of a youngster and Pylant will have to overcome 1t to be a success I'm these days a pitcher who does not field his position is handicap to a team.
 News comes from Dalton Ga, that a short stop over there was fired because he made seven errors. It was charged that he had sold the game and notwithstand- ing his good playing before the man. ager told him he was afraid to let him work again. Just think of 1t. A short stop being bought and his seven errors costing the game. A man who would buy shortstop to cinch the game would be very foonSh. Suppose ball had not gone In his direction Then the money would have been wasted and the game saved. This talk of buying players to a large ex- tent is rot. The business man who wants to make money on bets by bribing the shortstop is not good financier to say the least He would never set Wall street afre. A little hand out to a first base man, pitcher or a catcher might help little, but at present we fail to see any advantage in spending all of the money on the shortstop Why not bribe the sub sttute or utility man. He might have a chance some time during the season.
 The most remarkable decision and play have ever seen In baseball occurred in Cincinnati several years ago." said Har- ry Vaughan last night. "A foul ball had gone over the grandstand. Another ball was secured and the batter hit a hot grounder towards short. About this time a kid had thrown the foul ball In and it hit in the diamond The fair batted ball struck the other ball ana they splatter- ed in two directions. One ball was fielded by the shortstop and the other feil safe. The players couldn't decide which ball was which and after long wrangle the umpiresmade the runner go back and bat over" Everybody took off their hats to Harry