Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23
HOW THE jumps GET
BACK At PLAYERS
Witty Remarks Frequently
Stop Abusive Arguments
on the Field.
By Umpire Billy Evans.

every now ana tllen gets d SoUu idusH
at some happening of the diamond. there
are numerous interesting stunts that es-
cape his eagle eye.
The base ball field is the stage and the
players of the various teams the actors
in many comedy situation and often
ncar-tra sedies that Invariably go unno-
ticed by the spectators in the stands.
When the American League lost Tim
othy Hurst from its staff of umpires 1t
marked the passing Of the games great
est comedian. No doubt Hurst during his
career on the diamond figured in more
humorous situations than any other man.
Tim easily led every league in repartee.
hut despite his passing there still remain
quite few players and umpires who have
high average in the wit and humor
league.
Perhaps in no business does a partici-
pant hate to lose an argument badly
as in base ball. That no amusement
business offers more chances for argu-
ment than Americas great national game
goes without saying, consequently many
a battle of wits goes on during game
that never reaches the of the spec
tators.
Each year produces a new crop of
stories, and last year was no exception
10 the rule. Here are just a few of them
Pitcher Vedder Stton of Cleveland
made his debut last year as a big
Lacquer. being graduate of the south
Now Sitton is quite pitcher. but Hans
Wagner, Ty Cobb or any of the other
leading sluggers need have no fear of his
swatting ability.
Cleveland was playing in Washington
one day last summer and Sitton was doing
the pitching for the Maps. The day was
an unusually warm one and perhaps no
faIt Inc hna hon Ct,- iD1n hy
Hurst, who happened to be umpiring the
game. Tom Hughes was working for
Washington that day and the Cleveland
players were having quite a time con-
meeting with the offerings of their hoo
doc twirler Some of the boys walked to
the plate, watched Tom curve three over
aud then beat it back to the bench.
White Sitton ambled to the plate for
he was at least going to make an awful
effort TO hit the ball. AS he walked past
Tim to assume his position in the batter's
box he remarked:
We'll, Tim. I'm going to have three
healthy swings at that ball.
True to his word, Sitton took three
healthes at the elusive sphere and each
tina cut an awful cash in the atmos-
phere. Mr.. Hurst looked on in delight.
for Sitton was making umpiring easy.
As Sitton finished his third Intellectual
swing and started for the bench he said
to Hurst:
Well 1 guess 1 had my three health
les. Hurst simply smiled but Sitton al
most keeled over when Tim replied:
That's all right, young fellow. take
three more; 1 like the breeze this hot
day.
:. !: i
In minor league circles the Fourth OF
July is regarded as the critical point of
The season. Many of the leagues used to
quit on the Fourth. but If they manage
10 get safely over that date, quite often
l. irI, .
Steve Kane, who worked in the National
League last year, was IN charge of quite
All important game last Fourth of July.
II was a game full of close decisions, and
Steve was more than having his troubles
trying to please.
lie managed to get away without an
uprising until late in the game, when on
very close play a third he succeeded in
causing nearly all the athletes to crowd
about him. AS each player was trying
TO tell Steve just~what he thought of him
some fan touched off big cannon
cracker in close proximity to the crowd.
While the players were collecting their
wits. Steve in his severest tones re-
marked
That was the Kitty League going up.
If some if YOU fellows don't get back to
your positions soon you will be without
job. The Kitty was the last resort for
quite few of you boys"
While the players were thinking 1t over
Sleeve had hurried TO his position back
of the plate and the argument was over.
1t would be hard TO find more even
tempered tWirler than Addie Joss. Seldom
does he make any comment on an UNI
pres decision, and when he does il IL
in such a way that the arbitrator as a
rule has no come back
He pulled off a clever one at the ex-
pense Of silk OI.oughlin last year that
considerably ruffled the dignity of that
worthy arbitrator. Had Addie given him
little stronger talk there Is every reason
10 believe that Mr.. OLoughlin would
have chased Mr.. JOSS to the land OF
shower baths for the rest of the after
noon.
Detroit was playing at Cleveland and
the game was unusually close, with Joss
and Summers working in brilliant style.
Late in the game Detroit, with two
men out, got men on second and third
and had the demon slugger. Sam Craw
ford, at the bat No one knows better
than Joss what a dangerous man Craw-
ford Is in pinch. and he put every
thing he had on the ball. The. first
ball and the next two Sam fouled
off, making the count two strikes and
a ball Joss decided not to give ''Wahoo
neNt one "A little high. along the outside
Of the plate. silk called it ball, but
evidently, Addie thought it might have
come under the classification of a strike,
as he shook his head vigorously.
The next one was in just about the
same place, and again OLoughlin de-
ttdftd IL Ddii
Joss was in the hole and he also
u trifie peeved. lie started to walk in
the direction of the plate, and OLough-
lin. diviuing his intentions, began waving
him back. Addie advanced about half
way aud stopped. he said something
what il was the crowd had no idea but
II knew silk sore. for he began
IL make gestures that looked very much
like n stroll to the bench. Joss said no
more, returned TO the box and pitched a
beauty to sam. Crawford hit 1t on
line To center, but Birmingham made
wonderful catch. retiring the side. Here
is what Joss said to O'Loughln:
What's the matter. KING Are you
blind. or have you bet on Crawford
II lead the league"'
\ year ago Dave AltiZer of the White
SoN made trip to the coast. Dave had
in his possession wallet that contained
over 81 500 of his salary On the train
he struck up an acquaintance with a
young lady, who left the train at Salt
Lake City. y few hours after her de-
parture Altizer discovered that his wallet
was missing, and he never recovered it.
Whether the young lady made the touch
or whether some other unkind person
relieved Dave of the mazooma is still
deep. dark mystery: nevertheless the
story got to Tim Hurst and served as
u means TO stop Altizcr from kicking
oac day last summer.
Tim declared Altizcr out on a very
close play at second and. naturally, Dave
took strenuous exceptions to the de-
In ha he bpa I'd