Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-31

pugn the decision of an umpire should
not be tolerated for an instant. The de-
cision in such cases is irrevocable. and no
purpose can be served by protesting. In
cases wherein construction of a rule may
come up for proper discussion only the
player affected and the captains of the
teams should be allowed to partake in the
discussion with the umpire, and then only
passionate manner. Rushing at the UNI
pire with loud cries of dissent and ques-
ton. violent gesticulation, all exhibitions
of hasty temper, any impugnment of the
officials honesty and integrity Or ability
should be SO vigorously repressed that
they would very quickly become obsolete.
General Movement for Self-Respect.
The first movement in base ball should
be toward a general inculcation of re-
spect all around. Spectators should re-
spect both players and umpires, and play
ers and umpires should respect them
selves. Especially in this so of specta-
tors, who are so silly as to offend their
fellows by absurd and asnine exhibitions
of themselves by abuse of players and
umpires, that unfortunate species of
cheap comedian whose ambition in life
seems to be to ape the professional clowns
and buffoOns of the vaudeville and variety
stages.
At best the calling of clowning is not
the most dignified one in the world. That
a man in extremity might adopt buffoon-
cry as business is to be conceived. That
man who is not obliged to resort to play
the fool to make living should, in the
presence of ladies and of his fellows, VOL
UNFAIRLY degrade himself by an exhibition
of vacuouS wit, raucouS roaring, vile vitu-
peration of unoffending players and UNI
pireS is beyond common conception.
Blot Upon Americas Good Name.
1t is distinct blot upon the good name
of the American people that they, or any
percentage of them, should degrade the
practices. Roasting had its bastard
men who were we'll acquainted with one
another. Even in that way it was not
admirable nor permissible.
At public games 1t becomes a noxious
nuisance. If we'll bred. we'll hammered
man meets Mr.. Bresnahan after a game
of ball. wherein the player has creditably
acquitted himself, that man may with
propriety say. Il congratulate you upon
your splendid playing, Mr.. Bresnahan.' -
1t would be the very nadir OF incivility
poor play, to say: THAT was a rotten
play you made. you big stiff" Yet this
latter thing is said every day by specta-
tors on the field. And, quite evidently, a
another gentleman anything he will not
say to his face.
So the present ineficiency of the UNI
pireS is due to the bad manners, not to
call them by harder and perhaps prop
er name, of spectators.
Magnates Not Good Sportsmen.
but the natural outgrowth of silly Gus.
tom. and it is but fair to Americans who
go to base ball games to say that the
slightest indication by club owners that
the base practices should be discontinued
would al once result in a complete revolrl-
ton of conduct at base ball games. But
one can no more expect anything but dol
lar-dandling from club owner than he
can expect milk from leather or blood
from the proverbial turnip.
AS rule. the men who own base ball
clubs care nothing for base ball and are
in it solely for revenue. With the pos
sible exceptions of Mr.. Somers of Cleve-
land, Mr.. Dreyfuss of Pittsburg, Mr.. CO.
miskey of Chicago and Mr.. Robson of ST.
Louis there is scarcely a club owner in
either major league who could be driven
financially interested in the pastime. At
best. the passion of base ball in the
breasts of Messrs. Comiskey and Robson
is negative rather than positive, but they
are Charming gentlemen ana 0e1gnt1ul
fellows Mr.. Fogel Of Philadelphia is
base ball enthusiast, but has not been in
the game as proprietor long enough to
establish a standing. That any one Of the
others could be induced to &C to a base
ball game simply an attractive spec
tacle is to be gravely doubted.
Therefore there is little to hope i'm the
way of improvement in that direction. To
the men of initiative. like Mr.. Bresnahan,
and to the press. which latter, indeed, is
negligent and Indifferent to degree little
less than the club owners themselves,
those who look for improvement in UNI
piring and in base ball manners must
turn.