The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1906-07-18
That Stolen Game in Sumter.

The Sumter Daily Item Of 18th inst,
undertakes to defend the umpire who
it is alleged robbed Manning out OF
TUESDAYS game played in that city,
but admits that "on Monday there was
great deal OF dissatisfaction expressed
on the grandstand and bleachers with
the decisions of the umpire, both dan
ming and Sumter people asserting that
wrong decisions were made
The complaint against the umpire
reached Manning through dlslnterest-
ed parties, first, then through Manning
gentlemen, who would not be guilty OF
misstating the facts, these, the IN
terested as well as the interested gen.
tlemen agree that on Monday the UNI
pire was wrong in number OF his de-
cisions against Manning, but on Tues
day his decisions were SO fagrantly
wrong that it was clear to the specta-
tors, henade his foul decisions delib-
erately, premeditately, with malice
aforethought with the intent and pur-
pose to steal the game. This, accord
ing to reliable information was so far
conceded by fair-minded people, that
citizens OF Sumter to show their utter
disapproval of ssdirty ball'' and 'srotten
decisions" that they not only express
ed to the Manning team their disgust
at the umpire, but they went further
and presented George Odiorne with a
handsome mershaum pipe for hitting
his umps.'
There have been number OF people
from Sumter in Manning, and we have
vet to hear of any one of them who will
defend Sumter's umpire, or even give
him credit of making an honest mis-
take. All agree that he ''stole the
game" and expressed the opinion that
he had bet on the game. We do not
know Umpire Burroughs, but his rep
utation for square deal" is away
below par in base ball circles.
The Item says neither of the editors
of the Manning papers witnessed the
games and their charges are, we pre-
sumo, based on hearsay." Yes, so far
as we are concerned, our charge OF
unfairness was based upon "hearsay," :"
| but our informants were such persons
whcsS characters are so clear, and
sense of honor so high, that We would
rather take their Judgment than risk
| our own. because, we admit being q
partisan, and might be blinded to some
things which may affect the Manning
team, but when we hear our own peo..
ple's complaint confirmed by citizens OF
Sumter, and when Sumter's citizens
present mershaum pipe as a mark OF
endorsement for shitting his jumps" the
proof is fixed.
The Item can defend until it is black
in the face, it cannot succeed in wiplng e
cut the black spot on Sumter's honor
| nut their by man who was trusted to
decide honestly.
AS an evidence OF Manning's idea for
fair treatment, we even reproduce Inc
Items effort to wipe out the injustice,
without even an intimation about Um-
pire Burroughs attempting to run
when he struck at Odlorne. Here Is
what The Item says:
"The Manning papers are charging
that the Manning baseball team was
robbed by the umpires in the games
played here this week. So far as we
are informed neither of the editors OF
the Manning papers witnessed the
names and their charges are, we pre-
sumo, based on hearsay. The writer
witnessed but two of the games, those
played Monday and Tuesday. On Mon
| day there was a great deal OF dlssatls:
faction expressed on the grandstano
and bleachers with the decision OF the
umpire, both Manning and Sumter
people asserting that wrong decisions
were made. If either team got the
worst of it Sumter did especially II
calling balls on the pitcher that appear
ed to spectators to be directly over tne
base. Manning never had chance te
win the game and but for Buesse's
! home run would rot have scored. lr
| the Tuesday game the umpire waS
changed and Mr. Burroughs who ne;
unpired a number of games with other
teams and given satisfaction. was asked
to umpire at the personal request O
| Manager Dwyer of the Manning team
The game started badly. Odiorne, the
first man to the bat being put out OF the
game for cursing the umpire when NJ
was called out on strikes. Wher
: Odiorne made use of profane language
Umpire Burroughs called Manager
/ Dwyer and told him that Odiorne
would be put out OF the game If he dl(
not stop cursing. Odiorne advancet
toward Burrough hs saying that he let
if he said he had cursed. They came
together a>d a few blows passed before
? they could separated. Odiorne wa
then ruled out of the game. The gam
t proceeded without incident until
1 Sumter batter hit a fair ball over thirt
: base. Buesse in attempting to field !
e Hailed to do so and the ball rebounde'
. from his hands and fell just withou
D the foul line. The umpire called i