Evening star., 1909-05-10
NATIONALS OPEN
IN CHICAGO TODAY
Weather Clear and Pleasant,
With the Players Conf
dent of Winning.

After the heartbreaking de1eat sat
urday afternoon Manager Cantiilon ano
his crew took the cars for Chicago. wnere
they open a series of four games TO-DAY
The Nationals reached Chicago last even
ing, and a special dispatch from the
Windy CITY this morning says that the
WASHINGTON boys are in good spirits, ano
confident that they will make gooo
showing against the western CLUBS. Inc
weather at noon was clear and pleasant
Today marks the first shift OF the
, clubs in both the American and Ma
tional leagues. In the former the eastern
ch,bs go west, and in the latter the
western clubs come east. At the end
of this series between the east ano
west something like a line can be had
on the probable outcome of the cham
pionship race in both the major or
.ganizations.
The western clubs of the American
League have been touted as being much
stronger than those of the east, but the
different style of play may bring about
victories where none were expected.
This is a case where we are looking
for comfort. as the Nationals have GER
tainly performed poorly against Boston,
New York and Philadelphia. If the team
doesn't do better against the western
chaps, 1t means the rear line for US, as
usual.
There were all sorts of rumors floating
around the city yesterday, a majority
of which are senseless and without foun-
dation. 1t can be safely said that the
owners of the Washington club have the
greatest confidence in Manager Joseph
Cantillon. and that he will remain at
the head of the local club for the rest
of the season. No one has thought about
next year. as there is yet plenty of time
to make a showing this season.
AS yet there is nothing like form in
either of the big leagues, nor will there
De until after the various sections have
clashed with each other on each other s
grounds. On the basis of last season s
performance, the start in the American
League has developed a most surprising
reversal of form. OF the four clubs that
finished in the first division last season,
division. while st. Louis is absolutely
last, with both Chicago and Cleve-
land under the 800 mark. The National
League start has been more consistent.
two of the last seasons first division
teams-Pittsburg and Philadelphia-lead-
ing the race, with the Chicago champions
fourth. while New York, which made
such a sensational finish with Chicago,
like st. Louis in the American League
race. is absolutely last. Though some
have gone back somewhat. there is no
reason for believing that they all have
gone back to the extent that their stand
ing in this seasons race would indicate.
But at the present writing there Is no
dope upon which can be based intellf-
gent judgment as to the possible stand
ing of the teams even on the first Of June.
IT Is the first duty Of base ball um-
pire to preserve order on the field. He
must keep a cool head. exercise keen
judgment and restrain his feelings, no
matter what the prOvocation. An UNI
pire has autocratic power and can
order a player out of the game or off
the field If necessary for a breach Of
: discipline. but under no circumstances
can he take the law into his own hands
as Tim Hurst did at American League
Park in New York Friday, when he
struck Elberfeld. without jeopardizing
the good name of base ball. EIberfeld
has earned an unSavory reputation as
an umpire batter. but nothing can be
said in extenuation of HurstS action,
and it should not be tolerated. Two or
three years ago Hurst struck Clark Grif-
of the Yankees. and was punished by a
short suspension. Evidently that lesson
had been forgotten.
Prior to the start of the game at Shibe
Park Saturday a short and animated dis
? Umpire Connolly over the Interpretation
of the new rule governing the introduce
tion of substitute pitcher into game.
The spectators only partly guessed the
subject under debate, and even those who
were sure of 1t were uncertain as to the
rights of the disputants. AS is usual be-
fore starting game. Umpire Connolly