New-York tribune., 1911-03-21
TIMELY BITS OF SPORT.
Handspring Wins Blue Ribbon at
an English Show.
HANK O'DAY GREAT UMPIRE
So Says James A. Hart in Dis
cussing Arbiters of the
Baseball Diamond.


Word comes from England that Hand
errlnE. once famous on the American turt
"a 2 rival Of Hastings and q horse of rare
sreed and courage. has won a blue ribbon
for tho best thoroughbred stallion at he
Norfolk and Suffolk Counties Show. Tie
son ~ Haaoyer-My Favorite ran in the
name and cclors OF p. J. Dwyor when he
was winning stakes and purses on the
tracks here several years ESQ. and the story
Eo.s that Mr. Dwyer refused an offer of
Nn o"o for the good horse made by the late
Lucky" Baldwin. When IIandsprnss rae
ing days were over he was purchased by
the Newcastle Stable for stud duty and
was the sire. among others. Of Major
paingerfeld, which found a place in that
famous and select band Of thoroughhreds
that won $loo"o or over on the American
turf
Handspring was shipped 10 Ensland two
o. three years ago. when the outlook for
racing in this country was particularly
black and IL is satisfying 10 breeders here
that he could go abroad. 70 the home of
the thoroughbred, and win blue ribbon in
competition. according 10 reports, with
some prominent English stations.
Young SAMMY Smith is making siren
uous efforts 70 got into condition for his
ten.round bout with Bert Neyes AT the
National Sporting club on Friday night
TIE promise Of a return match with
Knockout Brown has provided an addi-
tional incentive for the Quaker City light
weight. Smith saws he was stale the night
he met Pal Moore, and contends that he
was not weak AZ tie weight, hut that he
was slow and sluggish. He IS sure that he
can make the lightweight limit and give
the best man in the rinE a hard argument
for the decision. His admirers are still
loval
Keves also is working hard for the bout
The East side lightweight realizes that he
vii have a grea. deal at stake. lie plans
10 take the milling 10 Smith. which assures
lively contest from beginning TO end
Keves has never been knocked down He
SAY his strength ard ruggedness Will prove
roo much for the clever Smith, who won't
&c, chance 20 get set.
"EmsHe is good umpire and we'll versed
IN HtfflfdI. Sdlu JAMES ilditf iVl in'l oN4i'4
of the cubs, recently, while discussing the
merits 4 the official. "But do not regard
him as the best In my opinion. Hank
O'Day is the greatest lie is the greatest
because when It comes TO talking baseball
I'm all its branches he Sc intelligent. His
Intelligence IN the game is wide and deep !
think O'Day has studied the rules as no
other man. When questioned on points he
does not only speak of the laws as they
stand to-day but is able 10 make sugges-
lions which probably will improve them.
O.Dav has done p whole lot for baseball
and its rules. I was chairman of the rules
committee for years, and know
when holding that position l always
was opcn FOR suggestions. and at tmes
asked FOR them from the different baseball
mon throughout tho country. | also asked
TIE umpires for opinions. Few responded.
opay offered many and they were good.
and several are in the rules to-day. What
makes O'Day so good on rules Is that he
f. alva.e prepared 20 back up anything
Do Saws or suggest ton he makes II .
advises "a change there Is always reason
for ,t
"Tmeuo alvave Vas good umpire. His
svstom made ana impression on tho fans.
When an argument started le never let a
erolr ~ rlaycre surround hln and discuss
tho decision His word was final. and when
Tho rlsyers came up 20 him he walked
ava, and lot them talk it over among
themselves
..vyho, Ni-k Young va or president lie
thought Emslie was tho greatest ON ms
e,an hocauee no always WAS prompt in
making his reports Emshe always was
Inc eswe on his decisions and. ] think. an
,ftrl,ft for. n q
old baltimore team. twenty or more wears
ago. he was a great fellow IN USING Inc
rules in his arguments. lie was star
tv-irler because he had Rooney sweeney
&c hie hsokstop. In The old DAYS the
ritchers had their Catchers. Emshe was
q good man on strikes and balls which
probably was due TO his being a riheman.
Russell Blackburne. the $1,000 inheider OF
the Chicago White Sox. has decided to un-
dereo an operation - remove noatlnS
cartilage which has troubled him for some
time and which was aggravated by an In
Jury sustained while playing basketball
According n Plackburne. the surgeons
promise a cure and he hopes 10 be ON the
diamond once more before the season IS
FAR advanced. Reports last week said that
his baseball days were over
The s. Louis Americans are the first of
the naior league teams TO return 10 their
own grounds - finish UP their training for
the opening Of the season. They arrived
in 81 Louis yesterday from Hot Springs,
Ark.
The midshipmen have given up all hope
OF a race with the Yale crew. but negotia-
tions are pending for tilt with Syracuse.
now that rowing has been saved in the
Salt city.
con O'Keny. Tommy Ryan's white
mans hope" arrived in thi. city yesterday
en- route for Ireland. where he will rest for
three months.
Charley Doom. manager Of the Philles,
IS facctious. In response 20 a request from
Frank Chance. II the CUBS, as TO what
plavers he would accept In exchange for
Ean Moore. the pitcher, Doom replied:
"NH trade Moore for Mordecai Brown.
johnny King and Artie Holman The
trade was not made.
cornell wul bc represented in an three
roiav CHAMPIONSHIPS at the annual Penn
.,lrania carnival on April % The four
milo team. which recently established q
nov record. is Il strong fayorite. while the