Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-08-07
UMPs TAKE NOTE.
Harry TRULY In Reminiscent Frame
of Mind.

'"''iy must ne stick 90 the straight
ana narrow path If he would travel
through life unscuthed by the foul
tongue OF Islander.
Umpire TRULY. who this week is
handling the indicator on the local
diamond. is probably the coolest
nan who has worked here his year
in this capacity While ne lays no
claim TO being infalliDfe yet he calls
decisions as he sees them and what
is probably the most pleasing part
OF his work from the fans point Of
view is his control of the men
In conversation with "A reporter
last night Mr.. TRULY. i'm a rather
reminiscent frame of mind. talked
freely of his experience as an UNI
pire Of baseball His knowledge of
baseball is not surprising when one
takes into consideration the num-
Der of years he has been i'm the bus
mess.
Speaking of his work Mr.. TRULY
said.
u knew when ! went into the bus
mess OF umpiring that wouldn't
have an easy time of it. You see /
had been a baseball player myself
before became an umpire. and I
guess was in the front rank when
IL came to kicking"
'Disputing an umpire's decision
may he all right. but 81 is more or
less of a grand stand play and rarely
accomplishes anything for the team.
As a matter of fact. i'm a large de-
gree, it hurts them. This for many
reasons. In the first place if they
have a just kick. n so angers the
members OF the team that a great
percentage Of their efficiency is lost
through anger at not having gained
The point in dispute Then if the
Kick is solely for bluHing the ump
as is i'm most instances the case
ne members Of the team work
themselves into a small frenzy in
order TO fool the ump into believ-
ing their claim just, and while they
may not believe IT this. too. takes
away from their playing ability No
ball player can do his best when his
mind is wrought up TO sufficient
pitch to take it. even for n moment
'way from the game.
one of the greatest drawbacks an
umpire i'm a minor league has IN
contend with is the fact that the
PENALTIES are not severe enough. I'm
his league the best an umpire can
10 in order TO secure obedience from
he members of the teams is to in
1ict a fine of s. upon first offense
mi TO bench the offending PLAYER
he second time Frequently this is
IF no avail, and yet the umpires
hands are tied
Now, from the SPECTATORS point
IF view: A great deal of the abuse
received by an umpire from the
SPECTATORS at a bali game is due pri
narily TO two causes. /. Lack of
knowledge Of the rules. 2. Inability
10 see the plays made. know that
II any umpire i'm this league were to
enforce the rules to the letter he
would probably be mobbed. Not be
cause the audience and i'm great
many instances the players. do not
know the rules As an example: 4
rule to the effect that If batsman
is i'm his position at the plate and
The pitcher steps out of the box to
talk TO any member of his team. the
umpire has a right to call ball for
every thirty seconds elapsing before
the pitcher gets back into his box
What do YOU think the crowd would
say If ! put this into practice here2
And vet q game could be played i'm
one-third less time If this rule we're
put into effect a great many kicks
from the spectators come from sec
ond base decisions. Few peopIo
realize how easy 70 is for base
man to- attempt To- tag a man going
from first to second and miss him. II
isa hard Job for The umpire TO watch
them. Base runner nowadays have
the art down to n fine point. and
they can easily dodge baseman. II
is not how soon the ball gets TO the
bag. remember but how quickly the
basemau tags the runner that counts
Thousands of things might be men
toned that am umpire has TO coutenl
with hut ] guess that IS one way
Doc must earn his salary
"I have come to- the conclusion
That Doc best Judges of an umpire
work are tba kids that peep through
the fence and occupy the cheap
b'eachors They arc undoubtedly
the best students of baseball. ana
they know when you are rotten anu
don't mind telling you so. Two
learned lots from listening TO them
and anv umpire can do the same"
Nr TRULY came here from Akron
Ohio. and has been umpiriug for O.
number off years. All FOO an be has
greatly pleased the fans I'm This city
Richmond T.IrYr.r