The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
MEMBERS OF HOUSE
TO PLAY BASEBALL
Vice President Sherman the
Republican Umpire.
UNCLE JOE TO BE A "ROOTER"
"Over the Fence VIII be Called Out,
and Batter Ordered on FieId-Um-
Pain of Being MObbed-Game May
BE Played Tomorrow or Later.

Plans were completed yesterday for the
ball game 10 be played tomorrow or later
in the week between teams representing
the Republicans and Democrats IN the
House of Representatives.
Rules governing the proposed burlesque
OF the great national sport have been
promulgated that will wiring groans OF
despair from Ban Johnson and Harry
Pulliam.
For example. It has been decreed, as a
mark OF respect 10 Uncle Joe Cannon.
who has passed threescore and ten. that
the umpires shah hold the batter 70 be
out where the fielder catches the ball on
the first bounce.
For the benefit OF weak stickers in the
Congress bunch. five balls instead Of four
VII, be permissible. and the umplres will
be required. on pain OF being mobbed. 20
be most lenient In calling plays on the
bases Over the fence viii be called ''out"
and the batter viii be ordered or the
grounds.
All arrangements for this battle on the
diamond have been perfected with the ex-
ceptloR OF the time. The game will be
n
and 1t will be PLAYED tomorrow II possi-
ble. and II not. later in the week. the date
10 be named by the captains OF the re-
spective teams.
Prolonged Discussion.
Details were perfected yesterday only
after prolonged discussion. Representa-
tive Tener. Of Pennsylvania. who was a
star pitcher in the National League years
ago. being a contemporary OF Mike Kelly.
Adrian Arson. Johnny Ward John Clark
son. and other diamond heroes. is the
captain OF the Republican team. He met
in conference with Representative Kin
l1aid. OF New Jersey. who win captain The
Democratic team.
capt. Tener suggested that Vice Presl-
dent Sherman and Speaker Cannon be
named as umpires. Capt. Kinkaid de-
INJURED, suggesting he would agree 10
either Mr.. sherman or Mr. Cannon. but
that IL would be unfair 10 the Democrats
TO accept two Republicans as umpires
Uncle Joe" was finally eliminated. and
Mr.. sherman was selected as the RepUbu-
can umpire. When Informed that ne had
been counted out as an arblter OF plays.
Mr.. Cannon said he did not care. any
way. and expressed the opinion that he
would enjoy the combat more from
box IN the grand stand.
No decision has been reached as 20 who
shall De the Democratic umpire. The diff
hculty has been intensified owing 10 the
various kinds OF Democrats IN the House
This has brought up the question. WA
and what is a Democrat Fitzgerald
Of Brooklyn. was suggested as a good
man for the place Bryan Democrats re-
fused 20 approve OF his selection. how
ever. because he supported the Cannon
rules early IN the session. Grim Jim
Griggs. Of Georgia. was counted out for
the same reason.
Il was finally agreed that the designa-
tiOn % the Democratic umpire should be
left open for the present
Representative LeOnidas Livingston. a
Democrat from Georgia. who is nesrly
eighty years OF age. has been paired as
coach with Nehemiah Sperry. Of Connect
cut. a Republican. who Is more than
eighty years OF age. Whether these ven
cradle gentlemen viii consent 20 stand on
the side lines and WhOOp II up for their
respective teams has not been determined.
They viii be asked 10 assume these re-
ject them. Just as they see N.
The following Republicans VIII rep
resent the majority side OF the House:
Lowdeu. Mckinley. and ROdenberg. OF
Illinois: Morehead, OF North Carolina;
Eivins Of Missouri: Burke. OF Penn
sylvsnia: Miller, OF Minnesota. and
Butler and Tener. OF Pennsylvania
There is some talk OF protesting But
Ter and Tener on the ground OF pro-
fessIonalism. Tener claims he was a
professional but that he has become
rankly amateurish. Butler played with
'Fergy" Ferguson IN the mining re-
gion OF Pennsylvania away hack in the
civil war period. and some OF the Dem
ocrats allege he has kept in practice
ever since.
The Democratic Side.
The Democratic side OF the encoun-
ter viii be made up as follows: Gar
ner Of Texas: O'Conneu. OF Massa-
chusetts; Fitzgerald, OF New York:
Kinkaid. OF Nebraska: James. OF
Kentucky. Hefin. OF Alabama: Kelli-
her. OF Massachusetts: Hughes. OF New
Jersey. and McDermOtt. OF Illinois.
Umpire Sherman has announced he
Will preserve order on the field. Dis
gruntled players may be permitted TO