Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-24
Let the Umpire Alone.

Base ball players and managers are moor
students of the game in one respect, being
slow to learn from experience the futility
or disputing decisions of an umpire on the
field 1t long has been acknowledged that
professional ball players will not accept
good or bad decisions in a sportsmanlike
spirit. There is some merit in the argu-
ment that the elimination of all protests
would detract from interest In the game by
producing the impression that the players
were not concerned in the result; were not
as eager to win as the spectators were to
have them. But more than half the trouble
nowadays Is made by players to cover up
some mistake of their own or of their team
Even when decision IS wrong. the umpire
usually has as much of an excuse as the
player who plumbers. ,yactators readily
excuse players for costly errors, but every
one demands absolute perfection in the UNI
pire, although the latters average on de-
clsions for a season would beat even
crack first haseman's fielding average.
Manager Stahl has already been chased TO
the bench and Chicago already has seen
both it's clubs deprived OF the services of
their managers through too vigorous kick
ing, and the season is not out of swaddlng
clothes. Nothing has been gained by either
Of these managers in the matter Of winning
Dennants Of their respective leagues by
their protests. No decision, past, present
or future, has been, or Will be, Influenced
by protests of this kind, unless 1t be TO
make umpires less patient in the matter of
objections by Managers Stahl, Chance and
Jones In future. An umpires mistake of
Judgment cannot be remedied. 1t must be
accepted as a part OF the luck of the game,
just like fielding errors and stupid playing.
II an umpire makes too many errors he
cannot expect to retain his position, but
the surest way to insure his retention Is by
public kicking. League presidents support
even poor umpires In the face of public
protest and criticism for the sake of the
effect II produces. The way to reach and
be rid of incompetent umpires, when such
exist. Is to make complaints direct to the
president of a league. If these are fire.
aueut the president should ascertain either
by personal observation through some
trustwo.> Thy agent whether or not the pro-
tests are justified and act accordingly. II
this policy were pursued by all parties con-
cerned fewer teams would be weakened by
kicking and umpires would be kept nearer
the mark OF perfection by the knowledge
that their work might be under executive
surveillance al any time.
New Yorks Here Tomorrow.
Tomorrow afternoon the strong New
York Americans will be here TO start
series of four games and the sport will be
of the very best. Manager Griffith has got
ten his aggregation In fine shape and ali
the games they have lost have been by
SIfldu SCORES anu III pAttiASiS Ike
local fans win get their first chance at La
porte, who Is playing third base. and also
renew their old acquaintance with the vet
eran Mcclure. who is as good as ever. and
the brilliant Keller. Cheshire will probably
pitch the first game, and IL Tom Hughes
does not pitch today he may go In tomor-
row
Manager StahI is slowly reducing his
pitching staff, and IL is probable that he
win carry seven throughout the season.
Falkenberg and Smith have proved their
worth and they will be joined to the group
comprising Hughes. Patten, Wolfe, kitson
and Sudhoff. The last named has had DIFF
ficulty getting good start, but Ii Is Rure
thing that Wee Willum., will be there with
the goods before many weeks roll by.
Although nothing definite has been deeid-
ed upon In Harry Hardy's case as yet, the
chances are that he will be returned to one
of the Three League clubs for another
season. This youngster looked very good
last season and 10 bound 70 be oas Of tina