Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-26
By Billy Evans.

Base ball certainly has wonderful hold
on the American public.
During the progress of an exciting
game. perfectly law abiding citizens do a
lot of things that don't conform with the
ethics of the best society.
Love Of base ball causes successful busi-
ness men to forget the battle for money.
1t causes the best clerks to yearn for the
ball park at 3, instead of the swetering
Office. 1t makes the greatest prevaricator
in the world out of the office boy, who
every doting mother believes is a second
George Washington.
It is easy to understand how the game
appeals SO strongly to every red blooded
American, for no sport furnishes cleaner
or more healthful amusement than the
great old national game. There Is moth
ing strange about the fact that q man or
boy would prefer a nice seat in the
bleachers and grandstand to a stool In a
suffocating hot office. These things are
all possible. But how a man with a good
position and a happy hoE-e would prefer
to be bush league umpire is indeed hard
to understand
Just before the season opened in 1910 I
bumped into a former college athlete,
who during the fall had a position as
foot ball coach in fairly prominent
eastern college. and who during the off
season was connected with a prominent
eastern clothing firm, at very good
salary. While my friend had never been
a base ball star at college. he had
great yearning for the national game
Since he realized he couldn't take part as
a player, he was determined to get into
the umpire end of it. knowing the sal
aries paid in the minor leagues, 1 was
aware he was at that time making more
money than 1t would be possible for him
to command as an umpire. I tried my
best to make him see it that way.
1--WE decided to take rest this sum-
mer," he said to me after We had ex-
changed greetings.
rs that So, l replied where are
you going for the summer
Il think I'll put in most OF the sum-
mer in Kentucky he replied.
state than old Kentucky" answered.
so ! thought. That is the reason l
selected the Blue Grass League IN pref
erence to several others.
THE Blue Grass League" l said In
surprise, what are you going to do
down there?'
why. I'm going to umpire. Of course.
You didn't think I'd been elected presi-
dent OF the league, did you?'
I realized his case was hopeless. so !
tried to tell him anything l thought
might help him to get along. NOW, any
person who has never ump1red III one
Of the smaller leagues cannot understand
what an umpire is up against. He has
a tough job if there ever was one, ana
unless he has the proper nerve, ana plen-
ty of it, and desire to reach the DIG
show, it won't take him very long to
come to the conclusion that home, sweet
home is a far more fascinating place.
That is why the STATS of the smaller
minor leagues are constantly changing.
Everybody in every town is against the
Ssrnl rIin he force
a day and a night man.
One month was enough for my umpire
inclined friend. He drew down one sal
airy check. and after purchasing ticket
shave and one fairly substantial meal.
He has since decided that umpiring in the
bushes is far from an alluring Joo
Civic pride and city rivalry are always
strongest in the small leagues. In TACT
the smaller the cities the greater the
rivalry. The press is not SO fair TO the
umpires as in the higher-class minor ana
major leagues. consequently any ueie s
of the home team. even though the
score Is as one-sided as II to l. is quite
often blamed on the umpire. These ana
many other things make the JOB or a
bush league umpire far from an envlaDie
position. as any umpire will tell you VINO
has passed through such experiences. In
the life Of the umpire who deserves to
succeed such happenings are SIMPLY
stepping stones to better POSITIONS anu
more congenial work
An umpire in any league bumps into
a lot Of unusual as well as many un-
pleasant happenings, but such chances
are greatly increased while working in
the smaller or bush" leagues. as they
are known to the base ball frater-
nifty. Jack Stafford. who was once
member Of the American League stan,
and last year connected with the East
ern League, gets much pleasure now
in relating one of his thrillers in the
minors.
stafford. who is generally regarded
as one OF the best officials in the game.
got his start in the New England
League The fans in that thriving or
ganization are no different from those
in any Of the smaller leagues when
they are positive the home team has
been robbed by the umpire. 1t hap
pened that Jack had an unusually
tough day in one of the towns in the
circuit Because the home team lost,
and because Stafford had given prac-
tically every close decision to the Wis
itors, the crowd decided that Jack had
to be rendered an impromptu reception
after the game.
With much difficulty Stafford wormed
his way through the crowds to a street
car that went to the station, as he
intended going to Boston that even
Ing When Stafford got on the car
every one else, but the motorman and