Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-12-24
.UMP|RES WILL BE:
PUT ON GR|DDL.E
President Lynch Intends to Reform
This Branch of National Sport
This Season.


Numerous and wcl-founded com
pln!nts against the umprlng in tho Ma
tional league this season have set the
wheels of reform revolving. Thomas
j. Lynch, president of the league, and
once an umpire, has formed several
interesting conclusions during his few
months as league executive and his per-
sonal observation in different cities. At
the spring meeting of the National
league he will prescribe his remedy. It's
as simple as the old mixture of sulphur
and molasses that our mothers used to
serve as 4 blood purifier in the spring.
Lynch doesn't believe that baseball
can be conducted along the lines marked
out by rigid business rules, but his
recommendation for relief from bad
ump'rlng is one which is recognized by
every business man. He believes that
increasing salaries will increase the eff
cheney of his Earbtrators.g and that Is
what he proposes to urge
Baseball is surrounded with many up
lifting tendencies, but the judging Of
plays has certainly deteriorated in the
National league. and decisions are being
rendered every day that tend to develop
rowdy tactics and to unduly excite the
low brows. Like the poor the close de-
cision will always be with us but the
organization of Il staff of umpires who
arc quick thinkers and know how to an
tlcipate plays will raise the standard of
baseball lust as much as the erection
of million dollar parks and the cXclu-
sion of Intoxicating drinks.
There can be no reasonable objection
by the club owners Of the league to
the additional expense. Four umpires
a n,
mcnt would be equal TO eight ordinary
arbitrators. and their expenses would be
only half as much. But even If eight
men are carried the National league
could easily afford to pay these men
$4,000 n season. Star players often get
more, and good umpires are scarcer
than star players.
PAY MORE MONEY.
With the building of new ball marks
and the increased revenue, the percent
age OF cute money paid to the league
is more than enough to cover actual eS-
penses Five per cent Of the admission
money at each game provides fund
that pays tho salary of the league OFF,
Gals and umpres and all league OK
penses. And at frequent intervals the
surplus is handed back to the eight
clubs.
Lynch believes that high salaries
would attract Il higher class of mon
to umpirinG. The day has passed when
Il major league judge of play must be
first man of iron nerve and ability TO
fight, and good judge of play after
ward The umpires are well guarded in
the biz cities.
Ball players with regulations as quick
thinkers generally remain in the game
Il long time. Very often they travel
along on their noodles" instead Of
their arms, ana it stands to reason that
smart ball player will last longer than
man with little else but Drawn Such
ball players usually manage to drag
down good salaries for many seasons.
And the quick thinkers in this day OK
tend their thoughts into the future, Tho
close of their diamond careers generally
finds them comfortably fixed" They |
may have invested In II paying business |
or be Engaged in some profitable sal |
aricd pursuit Such men would not be
attracted by the offer of $500 to umpire |
Tor II season. But a stipend of $1,000 |
season would bring many smart men |
with practical experience into the UNI
piring game. Lynch, Of course. wlllEnot
state just what recommendations lie |
VIII make. He has been travelling
about the country recently and has
been displcased with the autocrntic
spirit of some Of his officials. He can
not find umpreS who are more capable, |
ana therefore be is making few changes.
lsut 1t Is known that he hopes to make
Fred Tcnncy an umpire next season.
Tennoy Is n man OF the class desired,
but, rs he Is independent of the game,
It will take big salary to get him,
HeinG Pcit2, the former Cincinnati
catcher. is said to be another of Mr..
l,Nnpl'S urOSnprfS !