The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-09
OFFICIOUS MIR. SPARGER:
 HIGH-HANDED PROCEEDINGS
Mcdonald Working the Bases Under Double Umpire System Gives Decision; Sparger Working Balls and Strikes, Re-
 verses Base Decision and FOrfeS Game to Selma

Selma, April S.-(Special.) )-There was a unique proceeding at Riverside Park this afternoon when Sparker, Captain of the Selma team. acting by agreement with Mcdonald, as umpire, gave the game to Selma g to Q, on ac- count of the refusal of Outfielder Lynch to leave third base when Sparg- CT ordered him away, Mcdonald having ruled that Lynch was not out.
 Although Mcdonald was officiating at the bases and under all rules of baseball made>all rulings on the bases. Sparger declared that Lynch was out and when that player refused to go to the bench Sparger announced that the game was Selma's by the score of for feiture. More than 100 persons who went to the park to see nine innings wended their way homeward uncertain both as to the legality and the wisdom of Sparger's act.
 Lynch on second base. and Barry on Lynch was caught in the chase be- tween second and third. He ran sev- eral feet outside the line and undoubt- edly should have been ruled out. Me Selma players started to leave the dia- mond and Sparger took a hand. He called Lynch out over McDonalds head Lynch refused to budge. Man. gathered around the base and some Demonstrated with Lynch. Sparser then announced his decision.
 Sparger's action is generally regard ed as unwise and absurd. Under the law of baseball 1t is not believed he had authority to give the game to Sel- ma on the grounds that he stated. Even If he had authority to rule on the base decision his first legal step would have been to order Lynch out of the game for protesting. Then If Montgomery had refused to replace him and continue the game the um-
 
 the other hand the locals refused to play after that decision of McDon- aids and there would have been tusti- fication to give the game to Montgom- cry.
 But sparger did not do that. Going over McDonald's head he declared Lynch was out, and when Lynch held that he was only under McDonald's ju- fsesi9n 1 sparger foTteits6 sdvess ehs game tns jurisdiction of the umpire, in this par ticular and it says: If but one um- pire be assigned, his duties and juris- he shall be permitted to take his stand in any part of the field that In his opinion will best enable him to dis charge his duties. If two umpires be pire shall decide all plays at first and
 Rule SO, defining the duties of the umpire, says: The umpire is the rep resentative of the League and as such Is authorized and required to enforce each section of this code. He shall have the power to order a player. cap tain or manager to do or to omit to do any act which in his judgment is nec- essary to give force and effect to one or all of these rules and to inflict pen alties for violations of the rules as hereinafter described"
 However, 1t is not believed that Sparger had grounds this afternoon to N.z kkl 1f f-.N ha game. Not a single section of Rule 26. governing an umpire in forfeiting games justified Sparger's action. It was by no means regarded as the prop CT course by Sclma's fans and one or two more blunders will no doubt hurt the interests of baseball in this city.
 Montgomery was playing ner sixth inning when the trouble came up. ond with, nobody out. The Pretzels were twol runs to the good and with Brandt in the box, pitching winning ball there appeared no chance for the locals. Stultz pitched five innings and only one hit was made. off his deliv- cry. Moulder. a promising youngster, with abundance of speed, was in the box for the locals and six hits mad been made of him. Both teams were giv- ing fast fielding exhibitions.
 Stultz pitched his first time for the Pretzels this year, and if his work !n the five innings this afternoon is an index he is going to do something Tn the Southern League this year. His arm appears to be in good shape and drops are as deep as ever. It Is said that Stultz Is satisfied and willing to stay with o'Brien to the end of the season, be that end sweet or bitter, metaphorically speaking. O'Brien ap- pears glad to have Stultz back with him and there seeTiIs no reason why there shouldn't be harmony in the camp so far as those two are con cerned.
 The Montgomery team will leave for home early Sunday morning and Mon day will play the first of series of games with Boston.
 Following was the score of the game today when it was awarded to Selma: