Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-26
CCORDING to the fans way of

would be better subscribing the
interests of the Peninsula League by
cropping Umpires Giacchetti and Cum
ningham and signing two new men
than by writing long communications
10 the newspapers asking the SUD
porters of baseball on the Peninsula to
calmly put up their hard earned cash
10 see good games spoiled by farcial
umpiring and yet enter nary protest.
Baseball fans aren't built that way
end the sooner Secretary Holmes and
the Peninsula League directors learn
that fact and act accordingly the
better it will be for the success of the
league.
Neither Mr.. Giaccheti nor Mr.. Cum
ningham is bowling success as a
wielder of the indicator. That Mr.. Gun
ningham was lacking was discovered
the first season that the Peninsula
League existed and the team man
ayers were reminded of it again in
the second season. And each year Mr..
Cunningham was dropped from the
league pay roll before the end of the
season. There is an old and true say
ing that where's there smoke there's
fire." and IL neither Mr.. Cunningham
nor Mr.. Giacchetti made any grave.
mistakes the players. managers and
fans would not set Up such bowls in
every game that these men work. This
Is Mr.. Giacchetti's first season in the
Peninsula League and about 99.9 per
cent. of the fans in both this city and
Hampton sincerely trust that it will
be his last if ne must stay the season
out.
Umpire Giacchetti seems to be
bugs about the enforcement Of three
rules-the balk rule, the rule covering
stepping out of the batters' box and
the rule ON cutting first base. The
rules require that the batters' box shall
be laid OF with chalk, lime, or some
other white substance and it is the
duty of the umpire-in-chief to see that
this box is laid OF. II is absurd for
the umpire to attempt to enforce the
rule about stepping out OF the box
when there is no box to step out or.
Ard it is equally as absurd for the
umpire to make toe" line for the
batter without measuring on the box
and determining how far in front OF
the plate this toe" line shall be
drawn. Mr.. Giacchetti is far of on his
Interpretation of the balk rule In the
game between Hampton and Rich
mond last week at Hampton he called
q balk on Pitcher Fitzpatrick because
the pitcher made several bluffs at
throwing to first base. where there
was a runner, when Fitzpatrick was
IL and ffrSf
tase. On just such decision as TINS
one. Mr.. Giacchetti caused the defeat
of North End by the Artillerymen
early in the season and the directors
voted to sustain him, although he was
clearly in the wrong on the play.
Those Of the local fans who have
not watched them closely are st
loss to understand why the Athletics
are at the bottom when they are hit
ting and fielding as well as any team
In the league aud better than two
teams that stand ahead OF them in
the percentage column. The answer
is easy-the Athletics do not run
bases well. This team has the best
bunch OF batters in the league and
Win uCttcT DI-t funuh- os.* ~
development Of INSIDE" play II should
be a winner. Jack Msgee has done
much to improve the team in these
respects. bet there Is room. for more
improvement d.
Hampton has about the best Daianc-
ed organization yet seen in the Pen
Ursula League and the other teams
will have to come strong II they OK
pect to Dust the Crabbcrs from FIRST
place. The Crabbers have an almost
alright in6cld and a good outield. Its
one weakness Is behind the bat
Newport News has two teams In
the Peninsula Leaguc and u should
have two Representatives on the board
n directors Of the league. HAMPTON
has one representative and Fort
Monroe has one. while the secretary
e. the league Is from Fort Monroe.
This makes the board top-hcavy with
the top on the lover end OF the
Peninsula.
Umpire Rayfcit sas clearly wrong
IN his decision n c-Inrx Hudson on,
on his ~ bchini Land IN the seventh
ush the bzscs tut. The rules says
that q batter sban b cot. IL While
nrr< AMI eecoud. @ hrst. second and
sAirc bases are occupied. ne he,