Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-29
SUNDAY BASEBALL
IN CRAVE DANCER
Action of Fans and Players May
Be Opening Wedge for
Reformers
SHOULD HAVE TWO UMPIRES
Disturbance at Vernon Would
Have Been Avoided with
Two Men Working
SHOULD HAVE TWO UMPIRES

Los Angeles fans and Vernon
players took the life of Sunday
baseball here into their hands
yesterday when disturbances OF
anything but peaceful nature
marred both the Vernon and
Chutes park contests. With the
wave of reform sweeping into
every portion of the country the
agitation against Sunday playing
is bound to strike here, and it
behooves both fans and players
to conduct themselves in a dec
orous manner if they desire
continuation of present condi-
tions.
The morning game at Doyle
park emphasized one thing above
all others-need of the double
umpire system. Finney, as com
petent as the usual run of indi-
Gator men, was rather off his
feed, and several poor decisions
were taken exceptions to by
players and spectators. Then
came the storm. In the seventh
inning Carlisle slapped out hit
that travelled far into, left field.
The umpire, bent on seeing
where the ball went, whether
fair or foul, centered his atten-
ton on the outer pasture, and
Carlilse tore around the bags.
When he reached third base Fin
ney declared him out for not
touching the first base.
Whether he did or didn't is beyond
the issue. for Carlisle Immediately lost
his head and started to clean" Fin
ney. Hogan, who Is some crabber him
self, restrained his player. and the fans
began to take up the burden with soda,
bottles and other missiles handy One
of the directors of the Vernon team,
who should be among the first to help
keep order, ran out onto the field. and
added his abuse to that already fall
ing thick and fast on the unfortunate
indicator handler.
Play was resumed after Carlisle had
been ordered off the field, but the fans
and players again displayed their poor
judgment by hooting Finney on every
occasion. Finally Hogan was elected,
and when the game was finally termi-
mated Finney was forced to go across
fields to the Watts car. hostile crowd
awaiting his appearance in front of
where the Vernon cars stop.
Right on top of thisc came the after
noon performance All week long some
rough neck has infested the first base
bleachers and. according to reports.
made Jess Stovall the object of his
abuse. About half way through the
game, as Stovall was returning to the
bench. this fan again started his TRADE.
Stovall, resenting the insults, went
through the gate, and the bleacherite
descended to the ground. the result
being a fist fight when they met. Both
teams and the umpire left the field and
watched the show, which found Stovall
all to the good so far as delivering
punishment was concerned.
Finally, order was resumed, and after
the game the same fan tried TO pick
another fight with Stovall while the
player was going over to take a car.
Stovall knocked him down and con-
tinued on his way.
While a ball player is only human,
and will not stand for names such
as the fan is said to have applied, there
ought to be other ways OF resenting in
suit than that used by Stovall The
Vernon fielder is a hard working
player, always doing his best to win,
but he certainly got in bad with the
better class of fans when he went
outside the diamond to "get" his tor
mentor. Had he stopped to think Sto-
vail might have waited until after
the game to take up his burden, or
else he could have called the park Of
fciaps attention to the matter and had
his tormentor elected from the grounds,
with orders to stay out for all time.
The Coast league officials will un-
doubtedly take some action in the mat
ter, for Sunday baseball is too pre-
cious a thing to lose, ard a recurrence
of yesterdays doings will surely
bring about its finish. Also, a stronger
demand than ever will be made for the
double umpire system, for had two men
been working at the morning game
Carlisle's protest would have been more
in order and the ensuing bottle throw
ing would not have happened.