Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-06-04
IOWA SPORTS TALK
Oskaloosa Crowd Forgets Itself
and INDUCES In Rioting
Over Swigert's Decision
A MOST DlsGRAcEFUL AFFAIR
Stamps the Town AS One In Which,
Under Similar Circumstances, Fair
Play Is observation-disclosures Should
Have Been Observation-Disclosures as
Chronic kckers-Others Leagues.

What was expected has happened
State League, but twas hardly thought
| that Oskaloosa would be the city to
| first show its hand. There unsports-
manlike conduct, roWdyism, and ruff
| fianism has broken loose, and what has
been allowed to happen already may
occur there again under similar cir
cumstances. There is but one place
the responsibility of this indecent
demonstration can rest, and that is
with the Oskaloosa Base Ball Associa-
| ton. The base ball association that
| cannot furnish protection to umpire.
| players OF spectators should shuttle
| OFF the base ball map and hide itself
| for shame 1t is not safe town to
| pull off the national game in, and does
not deserve to belong to even pea
nut league.
Oskaloosa has always held the repu-
tation of being city where fair play
was guaranteed. but when and where
view of what has happened. a mystery.
| Because it could not win, it needs
must vent it's spite on Umpire Swigert,
who was more capable, and it is safe
to say, did better in his position than
any one of the crowd who would have
assaulted him. would have done under
like circumstances. For such
demonstration as that the Oskaloosa
Rase Ball Association should be fined
heavily, that it may be taught the re-
spect and decency DUE not only the
umpire, but the visiting team, and that
major portion of the spectators. that
could not but have deplored such an
exhibition of brawlish babyishness.
II the spectators who attend games
at Oskaloosa can not stand to lose, and
be game" the city had better be
tossed out of the league. for one or
two more such explosions will be SUI
ticient cause for any team refusing to
play there. 1t has furnished it's fair
name, put slur on the reputation
of the league. and exploited that cheap
toughness, always disgusting. AT
least one member of the team took
ton, should issue an order debarring
him for the entire season. Surprising
Swigert's decisions We're off. that is no
excuse, and there can be no excuse for
actions of such nature, which tend
TO excite crowd TO mob violence.
Every participant was in the eyes of
the law a rioter, and had the the police
of Osisaloosa done their duty all should
have beer placed under arrest.
The umpires of the Iowa State Lea
que, from all evidence to date. are as
good comparatively as can be found in
any other similar organization in the
country No man that ever ruled over
the plays of a diamond will suit all.
He cannot, neither will any. two men
or group of men agree as to the merits
of a play or decisions when it is ex-
tremely close. But the fellow who
roasts the loudest and criticizes the
most is usually the one that knows the
least about the game and it's worth.
There is nothing SO dangerous as ig-
norance, which neither knows, nor
when aroused. is willing to listen to
truth and reason.
While the subject is UP it is not out
of place to mention that Ia the man
agement of some clubs there is a
mighty dissenting element, that is due
to breed trouble in the league ii it is
not sauelched. Protests are being
entered on the slightest grounds, and
kicking and wrangling, rather than
ball playing, seems to be the strong
particular accomplishment OF some of
the managers. When a decision does
not suit it is kick, kick, kick all the
time, over any thing and more often
over nothing at ALL A good system of
energetic fining. promptly applied. ard
rigidly enforced should fix this. and
should he repeated until 1t has the
good effect intended.
1t is to be regretted that these
things come UP as they have with such
frequency lately to mar the otherwise
smooth course of the league. There is
no good cause for it. and while a good
manager or captain will, and should,
contest doubtful points there is Il great
difference between that and constant
and everlasting kicking. The league
seems 10 be, from present indications,
we'll balanced on it's feet, but unless 1t
runs smoothly, and the teams and
management have q lot to do with this,
it can not be a success. Many nave
worked hard during the winter and
spring months to bring the league into
existence. and they should now be
;,,.t 1,cit.jpnc n III mil thru as