Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-19

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK. December 1S-Thomas j.
Lynch Of New Britain. Conn.,. once
known as the king Of. umpires, was
elected president OF the National League
OF Professional Base Ball Clubs at the
Waldorf-Astoria today. Lynch was the
darkest kind OF dark horse. and his
election came in the nature of a big sur
prise. He was nominated by John T.
Brush Of the New York club. and the
vote was made unanimous without afgu-
ment or delay Of any kind.
Lynch was born In New Britain, Conn.,.
where he owns a theater, and is ffty-one
years old. He umpired his first game
IN the New England League and did so
well that he was appointed to the Ma
tional Leagues stan by former President
n. E Young In 1893
He made his bow IN Washington and
was promptly nicknamed 1.-THE POSTWAR
by the fans because of the gray uniform
and cap he wore.
Lynch soon demonstrated the fact that
he was an autocrat on the diamond. He
was q stickler for the rules and ruled the
rowdies with an iron hand. But his path
was not strewn with roses and he had a
stormy time of 1t al over the circuit
The supreme test came when he was sent
to the old Polo Grounds to umpire six
games played by the Giants with the Chi
Cages and Detroits. These teams were
close together in the pennant race and
excitement ran high
Congratulations From Uncle Nick.
Lynch made his appearance on a Mon
day in the presence OF 10000 spectators,
nnd hA he be
ball the crowd wanted his scalp. 1t was a
riotous week. and when Lynch left for
Pittsburg he was a trifie discouraged
ever. he received telegram from Presi-
dent Young. which read:
II congratulate you on your excellent
umpiring at New York.
THAT dispatch" said President Lunch
today. made me successful umpire.
And intend to follow the same policy
with the National League umpires next
year. An umpire cannot do well unless
strict on this point. II newspaper critics
will take a hint from me. 1 shall feel
grateful whenever an umpire appears to
them to be incompetent / wish they
would refrain from roasting him. In
stead. II they will communicate with me
nmpfre's work. and IL he is not up to the
mark will take the necessary action
Lynch is generally regarded by critics
of the game as the best umpire that ever
called balls and strikes. He remained
on the National League staff. and went
along smoothly until 1895. Then, at the
Polo grounds. he fined George Davis and
Jack Doyle Of the Giants. s1eO each for
disorderiy conduct.
The president OF the New York club
took sides with the players. and Lynch
resigned from the umpire staff. He came
back later on and did splendid work, but
in game played by the Giants in Boston
he got into another tangle with Doyle
The latter rushed up to Lynch after the
game In threatening manner, and was
promptly knocked down.
Tires Of the Game.
went into the theatrical business. He
bought the Rosswin Theater in New
Britain. and has been managing it ever
since. It was Lynch's department on the
ball field that helped to raise the standard
OF umpiring. and won the respect of
thousands OF fans. Base ball in those
days was not SO well governed as it is
now. and when the Giants. for instance,
visited western cities. they were almost
sure to have trouble. unless Lynch was
on the Job. Manager Stallings of the
Highlanders ran up against Lynch nearly
twenty years ago, when the big chief was
catching for the Philadelphias.
Lynch was umpring one day" said
Staiiings today. land my pitcher put q
ball squareIy over the middle of the
plate. Lynch called it ball and /
turned quickly and said:
..Oh, Tom. That was strike.'
young man., said Lynch. tapping me
on the shoulder. it isn't Tom here.
It's Mister Umpire" Be careful In fu-
ture.' and I never forgot the incident"
Lynch Is thoroughly independent AS
a veteran base ball man said Of him to-
day:
IF he makes as good as president as
he was an umpire the National League
will have found jewel
The election Of Lynch as president
means that there will be clean ball on
the National League diamonds next year.
1t also means that Lynch will be boss
at all times. as he is man Of nerve
and Independence. He has been elected
for one year at a salary of $500. John
Heydler was reelected. secretary and