The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-09
LOYAL FANS DEMAND
HIGH, CLEAN SPORT

the umpires' rules for the season. In
regard to rain. the letter said, Use
your judgment in starting game in
rain. but once started do not stop
game on account Of moderate rain"
Judging from reports from Norfolk
Umpire Davis started the game before
1t began to rain, and although 1T WAS
threatening. no report yet has stated
that 1t was more than a moderate"
rain when the game was forfeited.
And yet the Colts kicked because Davis
would not call the game.
Taking 1t all In all, 1t does not look
like sportsmanlike play for team
10 blame an umpire. The umpire has
work TO do just like the players, and
he would indeed be foolish to leopard
ize his JOB BY showing partially to
either team. BY doing SO he shows
absolute unfitness for his position, ana
after doing so once should be incon-
tinently fred.
It would be we'll also for the Rich
mond players to remember that they
are employed for nothing else than to
play baseball. Their personal feel
ings and like and dislikes have moth
ing TO do with the game. They are
employed to play a game every time
the schedule calls for a game. and to
which their team Is a unit.
Owner In Responsible.
Although the owner of the team is
responsible for their salaries and for
their good conduct and good play, they
should also remember that the spec
| tators are the ones to whom they are
particularly responsible, and that tn
| spectators make the game. II there
were no spectators there would be NJ
game and no players. The players
must therefore play such ball as vii
please the spectators. and III they do
not play such ball the spectators have
| the greatest method in the world o.
| showing their displeasure. They car
4 stay away from the game.
A few more exhibitions such a
those in Norfolk on Monday and Tues
day will make the audience at tn
| baseball games dwindle just as Ger
| tainly as poor play at a theatre vii
! lose attendance. Then Owner Bradie.
| will suffer first and the players Il
exactly the same proportion. secondly
Two Chances Open.
/ Owner Bradley has two chances ope,
/ TO him now of keeping up attendanc
i and interest in baseball in Richmond
If Jack Lawlor comes back and take
charge of the team and makes 1T pla,
Dali dICOE0iHS ~ lulcs
then all will go we'll Baseball vii
be of absorbing interest to Richmond
ers. and the club will be successful
If Lawlor does not come back, how
ever. Owner Bradley has got to get
4 competent manager or suffer the los
OF a large portion of his gate receipt:
4. Owner Bradley had the opportunlt
Of obtaining Putnam. of the Louisvnl
Baseball Club, few days ago for
/ ridiculously small price. Putnam woul
have been invaluable to the team a
it now is. He turned down the Put
/, nam offer, saying that Jack Lawlo
would come hack and make good.
Jack Lawlor doesn't come back yer
soon he should buy Putnam or an
other good man who can manage tn
team according to Hoyle, and let IN
Colts have the chance for the pennar
that should be theirs.
s. biggest Town In Little Lengue.
Richmond is the biggest town in til
: United States in one-State leagu
That OF itself is bad. yet the publ
: Is not apt TO complain SO long as 900
! clean. hish-class sport Is provide
!. Moreover, Richmond practically SUI
J ports the Virginia League. This state
ment is often denied. but record
prove it. Aren't three games plaSe
here every week because the attene
ance tustifies it?
} Richmond can get into the Easter
League and IN faster company 81