The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
EditOridIiZir1g On One
 Or TWO Vital Subjects

Before we forget it we desire to con- graduate Chief Bodeker and Sheriff Hig- don on their determination to put ar end to baseball gambling in Birmingham. There are reasons why they should take the. necessary steps.
 In the first place, gambling on baseball is just as much a violation of the law as handing money over to the operators of roulette wheel
 In the second place, gambling on base ball tends to destroy the sport If the bloodsuckers are allowed to ply their trade unmolested it Is but matter of time before the great national sport which appeals to every person. from office boy to the general manager, will descend to the level of horseracIng and wrestling.
 It will become crooked
 So get busy, gentlemen, and let's get this stain off the good name of our city. Baseball gambling is being done every day under our very noses. One or two viz orous blows in the right direction would aid things materially, and elicit the ap- plause of the good people of the com- munity.
 Some time ago Judge Kavanaugh, presi- dent of the league. issued little book to the umpires of the organization, tell ing them that they were the whole cheese"
 As far as he went the judge was on the right trail
 For baseball to thrive the word of the umpire must be law
 But the judge failed to impress upon his staff of officials the other requisites. Before making a decision. before ejecting a player, before administering fine or before taking any other action, the um- pre must know that he is correct in his Judgment Before making a decision, too, the umpire must make every effort to form a correct verdict. A close decision on third, for example, cannot be prop erly judged by an umpire who stands in his tracks between the pitcher and the first baseman.
 In order that close decisions might be judged accurately the double umpire sys- tenn has been established in the big leauges, and is partly established in the Southern.
 The fans want the field umpire to be on top of every play before he gives his decision.
 Yes, the umpire. has his duties, He can not afford to stand in the middle of the field, look wise, and hand out any kind of gulf.
 He must get on his job, and keep a-hustling all the time.
 That's what he's paid for, and when he fails to deliver, he had better pack his grip before the fans get him.
 In speaking of umpires in general we wish this morning to refer to Augie Moran in particular.
 We have seen. him in ten games to date. and he has given general satisfac- tion He is good on balls and strikes. and when in the field is on top of the plays.
 So far no one has been justified in criticising his work in an unfavorable light.
 There was little incident in yester- days game which attracted the atten- tion of the fans. Bill Raftis had dou- bled to left. At first blush it looked as if he would continue to third. Bay fielded the ball well. and had the runner made the attempt the contest would have been close.
 Umpire O'Brien. who was in charge of the field remained posted between the pitcher and the first sack.
 Had Raftis gone on to third O'Brien could not have given an absolutely cor rect and just decision.
 He would not have been on top of the play
 Moran saw what was coming. When Raftis reached second Moran was in the diamond. He was beckoning OBrien to third.
 When the play was concluded at sec ond. he had a conversation with OBrien and it is probable that he told him to keep his eyes open.
 O'Brien may make a good umpire after all. It is probable that he is lack ing in experience.
 Well, let's wipe out the slate and be- gin all over again.
 We were very bad yesterday. We did not deserve to win. We did not play the game together. We went after Nashville as nine individuals when we should have struck Bernhards aggrega- tion with the force of a solid phalanx.
 The fans did their duty. They tried to snatch the game from the fire
 They will continue to pull in the right direction long as the team shows 1t is determined to do its bestl
 Now we haven't played as we'll at home as we played on the road.
 So far, we haven't shown the fans at home that we have the goods.
 So let's get out and hustle. We can do as well in Birmingham as on for eign territory. And we must do 1t, too.
 Let's get the cinders out of our eyes and get wide awake.
 We have got to win if we desire to get out of bad company. The first thing we know Memphis will be right at our heels. They tied game yes- tsrday.
 And now word to the association.
 Let's go up to Cincinnati and talk to Garry Herman.
 If is said that he has a couple of men whom he might cut asunder.
 If eith CT is landed the association has scored another ten strike.
 Increased attendance at the first three games either pitches will turn back the price paid for his release into the local coffers.
 AS a warm friend to baseball in Bir mingham, we do not hesitate to state our belief that we are not quite strong enough to get among the leaders and stay there.
 We cannot afford to go to sleep.