Evening journal., 1908-03-30

Inc uMpfei a mighty man Is ne
With eyes so keen,
OF calm demean
A Monarch as all can see.
While the. baseball player is the man
who does the actual work in the great
national game the umpire is the 1T" of
that sport as he it is who is supposed to
know all the "ins and outs" of the game
and is the sole judge as to fairness or
'foulness" of the actions Of the players.
As the baseball season is on the verge
of bursting into full bloom a few words
as to the merits Cthe demerits will come
out soon enough) of the men who will
hold the fate of the eight Tri-state clubs
of the season of 1908 in the hollow Of their
hands may not be amiss. SO here goes.
Tom WallSer.-After many years OF sue
cess on the diamond as a pitcher, Tom
Walker, a twirler, will make his debut
as an umpire in the Tri-State League the
coming season, under President ca spenter.
Every fan on the circuit wishes him sue
cess. Walker ofhciated in many games Of
recent years when the regular umpire was
absent and did good work His baseball
experience extends back to 1886. when he
blossomed forth in the Southern League.
The next year he worked in the Central
Pennsylvania league In 1898 Walker was
for part Of the season with the Fall River
New England League team. Walker went
TO the Rochester Eastern League club in
1900. The next year he was with both
Rochester and the Binghamton New York
State League clubs. He pitched for Bing-
hamton again in 1902 and went to the
Louisville Western Association team in
1903 In 1904 and 1905 Walker was with the
Cincinnati Nationals, going from Redtown
TO Wilhamsport in 1906 Last season he
started with Williamsport, but was later
released to Wilmington. Walker will likely
STICK to umpiring If he succeeds this sea
son. as his arm has lost It cunning and
he cannot send the ball over the plate
with the speed Of former days.
William Banno. the successful umpire
OF the o. and f. League last season, is
one OF the recruits signed by President
Carpenter for the Tri-State staff this year.
Bannon has had four years Of successful
minor league baseball. He played with the
Derby, Conn.,, Connecticut League team
In 1901; Nashua, N. H.. New England
League team, in 1902; Schenectady. n.
Y, New York State League team, in 1yO3;
Scranton, Pa. New York State League
In 1904, and the Nashua team again in 1875.
During 1906 he laid off and took up umpir-
ing last year. Bannon is perhaps. even
better known as roller polo PLAYER. He Is
a goal tender OF much ability and has
Played Tor the past eight years in the
National Polo League. He promises to re-
port In fine shape for the baseball sea
son and the strenuous life Of umpiring.
John Mullen-An umpire recruit from a |
minor league signed by President Carpen- |
ter for the coming season is John Mul.
len' the successful indicator holder OF the
P.O. M. League last season. 1t was the
first league experience for Mullen. but he
was the only one Of umpires who lssted |
the full season with the P. o. NJ. Mullen |
lives in the Heron Hill district, Pittsburg.
and attracted attention by his work in the
amateur games in which he offolated |
about the Smoke City. He is about 26
years Of age, and thoroughly versed In ALI
the rules of baseball through much st,dv
Mullen never played baseball, except on
the back lots, and umpires for the love
OF the work. In an interview some time
ago Mullen stated that he never had much
trouble IN the games. gave decisions as he
saw them, was always conscientious in his
rulings never hunted trouble, although he
was always firm and never thought Of
a decision once It had been
made.
Tom Connor.-One OF the first urnpi-es te
De engaged again this season by Presidenr
carpenter for the Tri-State League stan
was Tom Connor. the dean of the star
iast season. Tom needs no introduction 10
the rams. He is the master of the field.
and players at all times and his decisions
are usually above question. The first year
OF tne league under protection was rather
unpleasant for the umpires, but Connor
came out with flying colors. Conpor has
had much experience as baseball Official
He worked a year in each Of the Pennsvi.
vania State, Virginia State and South
Atlantic Leagues; divided his time he
tween the American and Tri-state leagues
during the period of outlaw baseball. In
the latter organization in 1sOi-isOs. and
was chief Of the Tri-State stan last year.
William Finneran.-Wnliam Finneran,
the young umpire find of last season by
President Carpenter viii be on the staff
again. He proved one of the most efficient
umpires in the league last year. Finne-
ran, whose home Is in Erie. started on his
career as an umpire in that city in 1904 /
He deserted amateur baseball to ofnclate /
in the games OF the Erie Independent club. I
The next year found him in the Inter-
state League. where he worked until the |
middle Of the 1906 season. when he was
signed to umpire in the Eastern League. |
He finished the season there with such
fine record that President Carpenter lost
no time in nabbing him.