The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-23
Laughlin, Trailing on the
Short End Of Score,
Quits.
! CONNOLLY CALLS
4 TIME ON KICKERS
Fans Dislike Action on Part Of
Bugs Manager, Though Rain
Was Falling Heavily-Umps
Perfectly Right and Follows
Playing Rules-Verbout
Pitches Well.

An unexpected bath. victory for the
Colts via the forfeiture route, when the
score stood 20 in their favor, and
rainbow were Il few OF the things
which 5000 besoakcd fans found on
tap al Broad Street Park yesterday. in
the last game of the opening series
with the Champs. The forfeiture hap
pencd just before tho close of the
fourth inning.
Joe LauSh!in was overcome by a
wave of sympathy for his followers. and
refused 10 allow them to continue the
game in the rain. The umpire was OF
the opinion that the game should PRO-
coed. and there was no way for tile
two to get together. Sullivan was
likewise anxious to make IL a game,
and that's where the argument started.
Connolly pulled out Ills watch, waited
the specified number OF minutes, and
then declared The game forfeited to
the locals. 5i3
Harsh Criticism.
Some were Inclined to criticize the
action OF the Dnnville manager in
harsh language. and this despite the
fact that rain was falling In fitful doses.
1t Is probable that Laughlin would
have consented to play the game under
protest, but he started too late He
had wasted considerable time in argu-
ment and then decided that lie would
notify the press that he was going on
with the game, but under protest.
That's where he lost out, for his ten
minutes of grace expired Just as he
was making his plant and before he
could get to the field Connolly had de-
ciarcd the game Richmond's by the
customary score of . to 0.
Tho rules on this point arc explicit.
Unless the spectators leave the stands,
regardless of how hard the rain is
falling. play must continue. That IS
what the rules say. and IL was under
that section that Connolly acted. Seem
ingly, no chance exists that the decis-
ion Of the umpire will be overruled.
HG Gloomy Prospects.
4 1t was bad day for a ball game. A
shower just before the appointed hour
for play to begin transformed the dia-
mond Into sea of mud, but gradual
rift In the clouds brought hope 10 the
fans. and continual cries of "Play ball"
probably had some influence on Owner
Bradley, for n squad Of workers was
soon on the diamond with mops and
sponges. getting rid OF the water. a
liberal sprinkling OF sand holped, too.
and al 1852 r. NJ. Connolly announced
the batteries. and the game was on.
Laughlin made his mistake in start
ing the game. II he was dubious as 10
the condition OF the diamond, his time
to protest was before the ball had been
put In play. Once in the game, he was
under absolute control of the umpire,
who In turn Is controlled by the rules.
AS stated above. Connolly. regardless
of the justice of Laughlin's claim. was
entirely within his rights when he de-
manded that play continue. H.
X Another feature which made Laugh
Inns dilatory practice show up badly
was the fact that Richmond had two
runs to the good. and Danvillc had been
given Its half of the fourth. Many
were OF the opinion that 1t showed nm
unsportsmanlike streak in the Danville
{ aggregation by quitting under fire
However. that is matter of opinion
on which but few will agree. III
Short, hut sweet.
4 So far as It went, tho game was
pretty: much fnster than either OF
the previous contests, and more noarly
; n pitchers battle between Verpout and
Mulinex. Tho long HEAVIER. of the Bugs
/ had been selected to play return date
ns hei was not right on Thursday, and
Continued on Thirtee8th Page2 a.