Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-07
UMPIRlNC REFORM ON Way
President Lynch, Noting Complaints,
FavOrs Bigger Pay.
GOOD UMP1REs ARE WORTH MORE
II IL Generally Believed Arbiters of
National League Could he Inn
proved Upon ana Few Good
Ones would Pay.

NEW YORK, August 6-Numerous and
well-founded complaints against the UNI
piring in the National league this season
have set the wheels Of reform revolving.
Thomas ]. Lynch, president Of the league,
and once an umpire, has formed several
interesting conclusions during his few
months as league executive and his per-
sonal observation In different cities. At
the fall meeting Of the National league he
will prescribe his remedy. It's as simple
as the old mixture OF sulphur and molasses
that our mothers used to serve as a blood
purifier in the spring.
Lynch doesn't believe that base ball can
be conducted along lines marked out by
rigid business rules. but his Recommended
ton for relief from bad umpiring is one
which is recognized by every business man.
He believes that increasing salaries will In
crease the efficiency of his arbitrators,
and that is what he proposes to urge.
Base ball is surrounded with many uplift-
ing tendencies, but the judging OF plays
has certainly deteriorated in the National
league, and decisions are being rendered
every day that tend to develop rowdy
tactics and to unduly excite the low broWs.
Like the poor, the close decision will al
ways be with u.s. but the organization OF
staff OF umpires who are quick thinkers
and know how to anticipate plays will raise
the standard Of base ball just as much
as the erection Of million-dollar parks and
the exclusion Of intoxicating drinks.
There can be no reasonable objection by
the club owners Of the league to the addi-
tional expense. -Four umpires with proper
mental and physical equipment would be
equal to eight ordinary aroitrators' and
their expenses would be only half as much.
But even If eight men are carried the Ma
tional league could easily afford to pay
these men 5000 q season. Star players
often get more and good umpires are
scarcer than star players.
Could Afford Added Pay.
With the building of new ball parks and
the increased revenue, the percentage OF
gate money paid to the league is more
than enough to cover actual expenses rive
per cent of the admission money at each
game provides fund that pays the salary
of the league officials and umpires ana all
league expenses. And at frequent intervals
the surplus is handed back 20 the eight
clubs.
Lynch believes that high salaries would
attract a higher class Of men to umpiring,
The day has passed when major league
Judge of play must be first man OF IRON
nerve and ability to fight, and good 1udse
of play afterward. The umpires are wen
guarded in the big cities
Ball players with regulations as quick
thinkers generally remain In the game
a long time. Very often they travel along
on their noodles" instead OF their arms,
and it stands to reason that smart ball
player will last longer than man with
little else but Drawn. Such ball players
usually manage to Ag down gooo sal
aries for many seas 3. And the quick
! thinkers in this day extend their thought
into the future. The sclose of their dla-
mond careers generally finds them eori-
fortably fixed" They may have invested
in q paying business or be engaged In some
! profitable salarled pursuit Such men
would not be attracted by the offer OF
$3.50 to umpire for aseason. But q ST.
pend of 5000 a season would bring many
smart men with practical experience into
the umpiring game. Lynch of course, will
not state just what recommendations he
will make. He has been travelling about
the country recently and has been dis
pleased with the autocratic spirit Of some
OF his officials. He cannot find umpires
who are more capable, and therefore he
is making few changes. But 1t Is known
that he hopes to make Fred Tenney, an
umpire next season. Tenney is man
of the class desired, but, as he is indie
pendent of tho game it will take a big
salary to get him. Heinie PETIT. the for
mer Cincinnati catcher, is said to be an
other OF Mr.. Lynch's prospects.
McGrnw FavOrs idea.
Manager McGraw Of the Giants agrees
with President Lynch on this proposition,
and adds some convincing arguments to
the umpire "uplift." II believe in making
umplres out of ball players" says Nc
Graw. because a man who has never
had experience on the diamond cannot be
the best judge OF play. Former pitchers
or catchers ought to be the best judges
Of balls and strikes, and men who have
played the infield would be the best to
call the base decisions.
but there are many players who never
would make umpires," added McGTaw.
I'VE have seen that demonstrated many
times. However. I believe that a smart
BAN player win make good umpire. He
VIII ohhSipOSo AANhJ pAayo hhu 10 III lne
right place to Judge them. 1 understood
Bill Dineen is making good In the Amer
lean league. II the National could afford
to hire men like Mathewscn and Brown
when their pitching days are over, III
warrant they would be just as successful
as they have Leen as pitchers, because
they are men who use their brains. An
other thing; young players would respect
UU..I.
never played ball. Their records would
compel this respect, and there would be
| FAR less kicking than there is now when
| we feel that we are helnp tvrnnniuad oft0.,