The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-20
.OLLIE ANDERSON
HAS GOOD YARN
FORMER UMPIRE IN NORTHERN
LEAGUE TELLS GOOD BASE.
BALL STORY.


The following article from the MINI.
eapolis Tribune will be enjoyed by the
Northen league fans VINO remembe,
the buck-topped ump:
| ollie Anderson, the Northern league
umpire, who may possibly officiate In
the Association this year, has the rem
utation or never having missed a play
during his five years of service on va
rlous diamonds, and Ollie is also said
70 nave never missed springing a new
story Here is mis- latest and it is well
worth hearing, even If you don't be-
leive every word of 1t.
1T may sound queer" began Ollie
to hear of player being out by a
tails length, in a game of basehau
but nevertheless 1t is a fact and II fell
to my lot to make such a decision. The
decision would not nave been up to me
II hadn't migrated to Canada and if
hadnt hooked up to umpire in the
Northern league. 1t was back In ,O5.
ana my first season as professional
umpire.
NY assignment brought me TO
winnipeg, Canada, about july 90 An.
gust and July being the months when
Lney play evening ball in that country
some call them after-supper games
OUT Whatever the name, the games are
played after O'Clock. The daylight
continued until about 10 O'clock in
those months and 1t is light
enough at 10 to read a newsnaner
on the front porch. There were two
games scheduled for this day. after
noon and evening. Winnipeg won the
AFTERNOON game and as was leaving
.he grounds the secretary of the club
iHLorneo me to call at baseball head
quarters for my evening uniform.
ne fnrther said that the game would
De called at z o'clock as per schedule
4 mad heard Of the evening uni-
forms,' so after the game of the aftar-
noon ana after l had had supper
called at the office and was fittad Qua
y "Ien UNIFORM OF full evening dress. |
some OF the visiting players were get
tnelr costumes at the time so |
kept mum and chose my size,
Upon arriving at the grounds I felt
more at ease than when / first donned |
me ralment. The players were prac- |
ing and all rugged out in evening
clothes. took peep at the grand |
stand and then started. The stand was
nearly full but what caught INV eve
ana mind at the same time was that
many were in full evening dress among
ne spectators Many Of the women
pectators fore low necked gowns.
When the game began noticed
nat the batteries did not wear their
oats. The intielders wore Tuxedos
ma the outhelders long tailed coats
mo none of us wore hats or cans. Orr
hlrts were Of fine white linen. but in
tead OF stiff collars we had soft COL
ars. Our shoes were patent leather
ut made similar to baseball shoes and
ne whole costumes, / learned. were
oaned to the players of the VISITING
cam by the home club.
Tine game went nicely mn 70 a.
eVenth inning, Fargo being ahead
the seventh Winnipeg was at hat
'ith one out and runner on first
men the coat tail play cameup. The
alter nit as low grounder to the sec
mo- naseman. The infielder pIaved
ne pail little behind the line and !
the base runner passed him he
lnged at him with the ball but missed
owever, touching his flying coat fail :
the runner had been an infielder
ne play would not have happened. but .
eng an outfielder he mad on the long ,
ais and was tagged on one of them :
Now the rules plainly say that a ,
nnner touched with the bali in the :
ana OF an opposing player on anv !
art OF mis- person or clothing while !
oe on nase Is out. didn't Just
now what 70 do. 1t was up to me to {
ecide quickly, and called the r,,,,ro.
ut. There was some little tro,,bIa
bout 1t and the players finally tool )
" view after arguing for some tin,a ;
was the only time / had ever heard :
such play and am still wonder
g at the correctness of my decision
ne papers bore me out, however. the | :
ext morning and said that I was !
the right side in giving my de- !
sion"