The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-11

The trouble at Wichita between
Umpire Mcnamara and Lawrence
Milton is told in this manner by the
Beacon of Thursday. Mcnamara UNI
pired yesterday, Shiveley Standing by
him. The version: President Shive-
lev of the Western association has
asserted his determination to rid the
league of unruly tactics, smirking- of
rowdyism by benching Lawrence Mil
ton president of the Wichita baseball
club. Umpire Mcnamara, working IN
the series at Association park had pre-
viously assessed a fine of IS against
the Wichita first baseman- Consider
able animosity exists between Umpire
Mcnamara and the management of the
Wichita club. Both relate different
stories concerning the occurrence
which has brought the two to swords
points and the president into the
breach with a hand of authority. UNI
pire Mcnamara came to W1ehlta
from Pittsburg, Pa, at the opening OF
the practice season. He worked
throughout all practice games with
the exception of one. For such SER
vice he was paid by the management
Of the Wichita club In the second
game with Topeka last Saturday, ami
mostly existing bloomeds when Milton
rem on strated against a decision Of Nc
Namara's in calling a strike in the last
time up in the ninth inning. Milton
ran back to the umpire and registered
a protest On leaving the plate, UNI
pire Mcnamara asserts that Milton de-
liberateIy threw his bat, striking him
on the foot. For this alleged offense
he was given a IS fine. Milton stoutly
denies any intention of assault. and
maintains that the bat episode was an
accident. pure and simple When
President Shiveley was informed Sun
day afternoon of the occurrence of
Saturday, he imposed an additional
penalty in the form of a five days lay
off. He barred Milton from the play
ing field. The time limit expires Fri
day"
ssBecker and Wilkinson, Wichita and
Joplin players respectively, oHciated
in yesterdays game. The results were
entirely unsatisfactory to spectators.
When [ arrived at the park entrance
it was exactly 3:25 o'clock said I'M
pire Mcnamara in explaining his fail
ure to officiate in yesterdays game. I
was met at the gate entrance by Man
ager Kimmel. who informed me that
could not enter the grounds. He ex-
planned that umDires in the Western
association were required to appear on
the grounds one-half hour preceding
championship game. insisted upon
talking to Manager Armstrong of the
Joplin club. Armstrong was called
outside the gate and the conditions
were stated to him. He imme dfately
wrote out a protest which he an
nounced his intention of fling IN the
event Inc game SnOUlQ De Won Dy
Wichita. At the meeting in Kansas
City May 8. at which association UNI
pires were called into conference by
President Shiveley, every matter even
to the most minute detail concerning
conduct of officials and their duties
was discussed. I was never informed
that it was necessary for me to be on
the grounds thirty minutes in advance
Of game. / never heard of such
stipulatio in any league in the coun-
try. It seems to be absurd that an
umpire should be asked to hang
around a baseball park for thirty min
utes before he calls q game. I was at
the park yesterday in ample time to
oficiate I wired President Shiveley
an explanation to the course to pur-
sue President Milton. relative to the
fine and lay-off said: It's an injustice
to the Wichita club at this stage Of the
game. We are badly crippled and
every man on the team is needed. I
am forced to stay on the bench when
should be handling the men on the
field. Such action is unheard Of in this
league, and is killing the game.
know as well as anyone else that I
must have a winning club here to Sc
cure patronage. The action in holding
me out, of the game and way from the
team is an injustice inasmuch as it was
unwarranted.
Coles foot is well again, and he will
p1axr IN the onanfuz game tornorr0yv