The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-21
BY T. .. Bonneville.

BY r. .. Bonneville.
NOKE. VA. June ai.-
Several people who have an interest
In the welfare oil the Richmond Club
were given an opportunity for the first
time Monday to witness the kind OF
treatment that is being handed to the
Colts on the road. The men have Of
fnred many complaints and these were
hardly given much credence as it Was
thought that the men naturally
thought they were not getting all that
was coming to them from the umpires.
All doubt along this line was dis
PEELED during Mondays game between
TIC Colts and the Roanoke Champions
when Umpire Davis repeatedly rem
dered decisions that were obviously in
correct and always against the Rich
mond club. He was fairness itself Ia
The home club, In fact he over did the
matter and gave the Tigers really
more than they asked or wanted.
When the work of the umpires on
the Richmond diamond IL compared
with that ON other diamonds when the
Richmond club liz the visitor. the UNI
pire Question In the league presents
serious aspect President Wells is
guilty of "a cruel injustice 10 the lea
que as Il whole when he fails TO travel
the circuit and look over the work OF
his arbiters.
Men who give such exhibitions as
that of Umpire Davis In Mondays
game are not suited for the work In
The league and they should not be al
lowed to stay. AS a man we'll versed
In baseball, President Wells, would
not countenance such work for a mo-
rnent wer. he to see IL.
Davis was absolutely disgusting in
some OF his decisions in Mondays
game and he continued the work with
an air of one who is we'll pleased with
"a duty well done. No protest was
made at any stage of the game and
many Roanoke fans were hard TO re-
mark that Manager Mcssitt was a
man OF most amiable disposition to
stand for such decisions. Messitt ex-
planned after the game that he did
not dare say a word as he knew Davis
/. would fine him and send him 10 the
bench at the first word.
Roanoke fans and several sporting
writer's of that city agreed that the
Umpire was handing II to Richmond
in rank fashion. HIS decision on New
ton. when that player attempted TO,
steal home III the fourth aroused
protest from ali who saw 1t, the player
, was oat but the umpire motioned him
safe Just as he launched himself at
the plate and before he was within
severed feet of II. Newton slid into
Messitts hands and the Richmond
catcher held the ball waiting for him
as he came in.
When Davis gave Spratt his base in
the sixth inning mo- one was more sur
prised than the player himself who
had Ia have 1T explained to him why
he was given the passage.
Umpire Davis took IL upon himself
To render decision In the fourth in-
ming that was not within his juris-
diction and according to the rules he
Lad nothing TO do with the runner
There. was only one man on base this
WAS Shaaghnessy, he started ta steal
third and Messitt threw to Brown la
time to catch him. Brown appeared to
have him and says that he did make
the eat. Without waiting for Umpire
Westervelt to render a decision. Davis
declared the man safe, ignoring the
rule that gave the decision positively
to the umpire of the bases.
Not only was Umpire Davis more
than off In his decisions on the bases
he handed IL TO the Colts good and
strong on balls and strikes With
men on first and second In the sixth
Inning he called two strikes on Wal
lace and both we're clearly balls and
were wide of the plate. Refusing to
protest the Richmond second fielder
whitfield at the next one and the Colts
changes to score In that inning went
giimmering.
The work OF umpire Davis I'm the
next two games of the series will be
watched with interest and will be
chronicled truthfuliy, where the friends
be familiar with the handicap that
faces the Colts on the road
The Colts entered Mondays game
under big handicap Shaw was not
able to play owing to an indisposition,
the nature of which was not explained.
Brown was switched to his old place
at third and Landgraff was brought
around to shortstop. his place at sec
ond being filled by Morrissey.
Although Salve has not yet received
from the injury to his finger sustained
In Norfolk, Manager Messitt was
forced to send him In the Twill Rev
ellie was being saved for Tuesday and
Verbout twirled a hard game Saturday
and could not go in.
Salve's finger bothered him to such
an extent that he was not able to dis
play any form and was Wild and in
effective. Had Hale not been released
to Greensboro just when he was he
would doubtless have been sent in to
twirl Mondays game.
II looked natural to see Brown back
at his old place Monday. The third
Sacker mad only TWO chances, one
was difficult but he handled 1t In ex-
cellent fashion. stopping a hard drive
from Sprat In the eight and making
q quick and accurate throw to first
There are many who want to see the
third sacker back In his place and II
is likely that Owner Bradley wifi give
the matter close consideration before
etakes any action that win take
away from the Colts the services OF
the popular player from Washington.
The locals missed good chance TO
score at least one more run In the
eighth. Morrissey drew a pass and
Messitt struck out. Salve sent a hard
chance art Cefalu who knocked the ball
aside and Spratt ran IN to make the
play. Salve almost stopped his stride
and while he wasted time on the line
Spratt threw hi mout He could easily
have made the base and with Land