The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-09

BY T. ID. BONNEVILLE.

The Colts have returned home after
their disastrous trip to Norfolk. but
they have returned in good spirits
and full OF fight. They may be ex-
peeted to give the Shoemakers three
hard games. and unless the visitors
are in great form the locals will be
several points higher in the column
when the present series is over.
The visitors Will use either Griffin
or their new man. Sexton. in the
first game. The Colts will have
either serbout or Morrtssey in the
box. The Deacon returned wednes-
day night from baltimore, and Ia
ready to take up his share or the
work on the mound.
Taing into consideration the double
series with the Norfolk club. three
games played here the last of the
the Crew made poor showing
against the Cots, and unless they
pick up in their work they Will soon
be cellar champions and Will be there
TO stay.
Norfolk suffered four shntouts in
the double series. They were smut
out In every game that was mot for
feited to them, and had IL not been
for the forfeirs, they would probably
not have won a game. Although they
took a good start IN Tuesdays game.
the chances are that Inc Colts would
have overcome their lead that was
made in tho first inning.
The two forfeited games doubtless
came as precious gifls to Ciarke's
Crew. but they cannot depend upon
forfeitures ali the time, and they Will
have TO get out and pay ball In
greatly improved style II they wish
to keep out of the cellar.
Owner Bradley has returned from
Norfolk. where ne went to ihvesti~
gate the cause OF the recent disturb-
ancss that led To the forfeiture OF
Mondays and Tuesdays games. His
explanation puts the matter in new
light, and, as was to tie expected,
there Is another side TO the question
MIR Bradley says that he talked
-tn-a nnmner of impartial Norfolk
fans. who explained To MIN both
games in detail. and ne also saw
numpe rof Richmond men VINO nad
witnessed the trouble on both days
Mir. bradley is satisfied that the
Colts were not to blame in either case,
and this should be satisfactory for all
local fans. that is, those VINO wish
to support the club and help IL in
the nInt for the pennant.
The trouble in Mondays game start
ed when Mullaney was hit. forcing In
n run. The Norfolk papers stated
that "Mullaney used his head anu
took an easy one on the leg" Mess!tt
protested the decision OF Umpire la
xsia Inn an ho nd
forced in run. Messitt was sent to
the bench. Then Nerbont was bench
ed and fined for continuing the pro-
test Messitt had batted for Salve
when he was retired and could not
get back in the game, his idea being
TO play in center field and let Wallace
finish the game in the box. This
would not be permitted. and Umpire
Davis absolutely refused to let Yer
bout go back after sending him to
the bench. although he knew that 1t
would mean a forfeit ii he refused.
Revelie was working on the gate ana
at the time of the trouble was en-
gagged in settling up with the tickets
and cash.
Owner Bradley explains Tuesdays
game In a way that puts II in an
other light. He states that after Nor
folk had made five runs in the first
two innings they began tactics to
hurry through the necessary four and
a half innings, running wild on the
bases, striking out purposely and 9TH
er similar tactics. He points out that
the Colts were not so lax in their eff
forts to retire the side in the fourth
as people have been led to believe.
lie says that two men were out when
the game was forfeited. and no runs
had been scored in that inning, and
for this reason the Colts were not
Lying down" in such bad fashion.
Mr.. Bradley says that Verbout may
have thrown one ball behind q bat
ter, but that he was making no effort
to do so, and this often happens in
4 pitchers delivery.
What both teams wanted of Umpire
Davis was a recess until the shower
was past. Richmond ASKED for II and
was refused. 1t is stated that the
rain was over and the weather good
ten minutes after the game was for
feited.
1t Is the opinion OF the Richmond
players that Umpire Davis Is rank
homer" and that he has conclusively
proven this. 1t Is stated that Man
ager Clarke, OF Norfolk. was on the
coaching lines In both Mondays and
Tuesdays games. calling all decisions
In favor Of Norfolk before the umpire
had called them, and in every way
interfering with the game in q way
that should have been the cause of
his being sent from the Acid. He did