Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-31
Where Spectators Are at Fault.
Responsibility of Club Owners.

Perhaps, beyond the specta tors, the club
owners are mostly to blame.
II is the vulgar Anglo-Saxon habit of
Americans TO boast of their wealth. their
education, their financial ability. their
system of education and government, but
80 far they have not displayed any in
ciination to boast of their good manners
AS matter of fact, the American is
well hammered enough save at a base
ball game.
There the poised and polished gentle
man of the drawing room becomes a
hoodlum and mucker, the clever business
man. who is polite, silent and thoughtful
IN his office. becomes a mounting maniac,
and the average decently deported demo-
crat OF the street becomes "hoOli-
gan and tough Decency. self-re-
spect, manners, decorum, everything, are
thrown away by many spectators al base
ball games. Cmpires are dreadfully and
Silly. abused and players are rated to the
limit Men escort ladies to the base ball
game. and, sitting by the side of these
dainty and refined women roar and rant
ike rowdies in a ruction. The sublime
spectacle Of young man of good ap-
pearance and apparel leaping up by the
side or sweet. modest and charming
woman. and addressing player or an
umpire. and giving voice to the delicate
and delightful sentiment, .'Oh, YOU dog
race, is one that can be seen only in the
United States, and there only at base
ball game.
Such license is insufferable. II is the
outgrowth of the back lots of saloons
Where base ball was, to some extent
nurtured. before the American nation
adopted 1t as its national game
What Owners Could Do.
To the credit OF spectators i, may no
said that it lies in the power OF Climb
owners TO suppress this horrible and hate
a Al
spring, Manager Bresnahan of the St
Louis National League club posted no.
tees In the stands of League Park for
bidding, upon pain of election, spectators
10 abuse players, he performed an act
which entities him to the very highest
regard OF all persons who stand for de-
cency. decorum. fair play and good man.
ners In the field of sport
II MT Bresnahan would go a step
farther and forbid abuse of umpires as
Wen as OF players he would be entitled
TO further and more complete respect.
Mr.. Bresnahan's manifesto had a most
excellent effect and the brutal. shameful,
hideous and horrible abuse of players,
which is such a reproach to American
manhood and sporting spirit, was to q
very great extent ameliorated. Another
and longer stride In the same direction
could not fail to produce results more
gratifying still.
And, though many persons fear that
such a condition might deprive the game
Of deal of vitality and of its vivacity,
II does seem that the decision of the UNI
pire should be in cases of out or mot
out" ball or strike absolutely beyond vio-
lent and open question.
That player should be denied the priv
flege OF saying. in a low voice. and with
out manifest gesticulation. to an umpire
"I think you are wrong" or II believe
that j was safe" or Il am sure that which
you called a strike was ball" is unreal
sonable and absurd. But to permit
player. in loud voice and with mani
fest gestures of dissent, to violently i'm