The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-13
Seem 10 Have Mutual Agree
ment for Rendering Decisions
on the Bases.
NO NEW PLAYERS
SIGNED Up YET

by T. ID. BONNEVILLE.

some OF the GElI2feS tl iEt II
ginia League have little regard ter
the playing rules os baseball and OBJ
serVatian TT their @t41ties gives the
impression that they have made RULES
!, of their own 10 govern their work
on the diamond.
IL may be though. that they are
In ignorance OF some provisions OF the
rules. 1t Is certain that one umpire
was until some time aga. when he
had few things pointed ont TO him.
1T seems, however, that he has not
prohted by the enlightenment he re-
ceiyed, for he continues IA the same
old strain. ignoring the rules when
ever occasion arises.
In the above reference is made 10
the rules that govern the work of the
field umpire and the am pire-in- chief
When Richmond was last ia Roanoke
Umpire Davis was umpire chief In
one of the games and rendered de-
eision on third base that should have
been rendered by Umpire Westerrelt
who was field umpire in that game.
The decision ruined the chances OF
Richmond In tie the game up The
matter was taken up with Davis toll
lowing the game, and he wagered a
SIS hat that the decision was his.
Upon reference To the rule book he
acknowledged his mistake and lost the
hat the stili owes the hat. however,
The same thing was brought to the
light in Tuesdays game ia Petersburg.
and both Umpire Pender and Umpire
Davis totally ignored the rule that
YfxtS the duties or The Umpires as To
handling the bases.
AS stated above their actions
strongly indicate that they have Il
mutual agreement that the umpire
in-chicf shall handle third base for
ell decisions, and this is directly con
trary To the rules OF the game.
Ii happened that this decision
strongly affected the chances of Rich
mend 10 taes-tp the game, All de-
4 cisions on third base are nHtura lIy
4 important, since the runner is so near
home. Burke was the only man on
base and went to third on Wild
pitch. A play was attempted as he
came into the bag, but before the ball
reached the bag Umpire Davis. who
was umpirlng the bases, turned his
back on the play and walked toward
first base. The decision was his. and
Umpire Fender the umpire-in-chie
had nothing to do with the third bag
under the conditions.
Either in ignorance Of the rules or
In accordance with their mutual un-
derstanding. Umpire Pender was
watching the play and promptly call
ed Burke out. In doing he was
entirely outside his jurisdiction
Following the lesson taught him In
Roanoke, it would seem that Umpire
Davis would know when to handle
the third sack, and 1t would seem
that Umpire Pender should know the
confines of his jurisdiction when he is
working as umpire-in chief
The rule which is being violated
! continually by some OF >Ie unlprts ia
the league is as follows.
s.Ruie 81. section /. The field
umpire shall take such positions on
the playing field i'm his Judgment
i arc best suited for the rendering OF
base decisions. He shall render all
4 decisions at first and second base and
& MI decisions at third base except those
20 be made by the umpirein- chief in
& accordance with section ), rule 81.
Kuie 81, Section 3. The umpire in
Il chief shall render base decisions in
the following instances: tD If the
B ball Is hit fair, with runner on first,
4 lac must go TO third to take "a possible
Il position; t2) with more than one
I base occupied. he shall decide whether
or NOT q runner on third leaves that
s basc before fly ball Is caught; t3)
In casc OF runner being caught be-
tween third and home, when more
( than one base Is occupied. hc shall
make the decision on the runner
nearest the home plate"
Although the Richmond Club is in
I need OF other players. as yet there
are none in sight Just at this time
B the market is full of players and good
+ ones but they are hard 10 tie up on
u account Of the salary demand.
The Richmond club Is able To pay
/ big salaries for men but owner Brad
ley is adherring strictly To the salary
4 limit as fixed in the league and VIII
mot pay player more than the rules
I permit.
Manager Lawlor says that he has
O. had numbers Of fine players offered
to him lately and that he has had
enough good men 10 make up an en-
\ tire new team. He SAYS, however. that
the players want Eastern League
salaries and that the rules do not
4 permit him to pay these amounts
We are looking for man or TWO
1 and expect TO land them soon said
& L4wior Wednesday, but IN geteng
new men we are going TO respect the
4 rules Of the league to the letter.
There will be no man on our club
who will receive more than the
u salary limit for his services.
The Colts go 10 Petersburg to-day
ter the last Of their series there
E4S4u0 expect 10 come away WIN tf-
u large end.
Hevelie viii work to-day and Mes-
II slit Will be at the receiving end.
Sas Dutch" was TO have worked Tues
day but his arm. was. act. feeling we'll.
81 and he asked TO be allowed 70 await
one day before going in.
Hannifan will Doubtless be in the
~ box for Petersburg and as ne is one OF
& their best twirlers, q great game ~
expected
Booze. the Petersburg right Nelder,
n rare a wonderful exhibition ca case
@ Eunning Tuesaay IN the eighth in
81 Ter the last Of their series there
81 1GcFrtssey afterwards caught him Of
MI 0rB1 With almost the entire Rich
yDnond club after hin: he lodged among
~ their, Baker. LanGEran and Bigbie
h4ndiing the bail IL excellent form,
81 Bighie ran pas; him and Morrissey
2 cOFefed first base. he dove, under
sS the Deacon and got back ct the
S3ack, although the ball had been
n Andied well and no one had dropped
IN while running him down
peacou Morrtssey's hard luck con@
ii