The Washington herald., 1912-03-31

lAi 10 nAl0le every game IN the
series, both the Baltimore and
Richmond managers asking him TO work
in their cities.
Mr.. Belts will again be the official
umpire Of the Capital City League, hav-
ing signed with President Beach yester-
day Mr.. Belts has seen more young
sters developed on the local sand lots
and enter professional ball than any
other man in the city, and can tell
many interesting tales Of the days OF
long ago.
Besides handling the amateur games,
Billy Belts works in all the big games
on Georgetown's schedule, such as the
Yale. Princeton, Harvard, and Cornell
contests on the Hilltop. Mr.. Belts is
= rarity as an umpire, being always on
the jump and never working continuous
ly behind the pitcher.
Jimmy Hughes, better known as
shorty" is another sand lot arbitrator
who is fit for the professional ranks,
and only for the position he holds would
be in the big leagues to-day. Shorty
is the boss of the game he is handling:
there is never any disputing OF that
fact, as the scrappy one runs the con-
test with an iron hand that allows no
Ieeway, and has the record Of turning
out the fastest amateur game in the
District.
Shorty is another who has been in
the game for some little while, starting
out as a ball player with the old Co.
lumba Athletic Club and then drifting
behind the bat with the indicator as his
guiding star. In the Sunday School
League, which has been under JimmIe's
direction for 10, these many years, has
always encountered successful seasons
and the good results can be attributed
TO this little fellow as well as to the
class OF ball Put up by the players.
The Columbia League has secured
Shorty" for the coming season and he
will be heard at the Columbia road dia-
mond this summer calling you're outr'
Washington can boast of a one-armed
umpire who is able TO give entire satis-
faction at every game as far as pos
sible and one who is not afraid to call
the decisions as he sees them. Lefty
Cleveland. of Commercial League fame,
is the arbitrator in question, and he full
filled the bill last season in President
Crafts circuit to the satisfaction of this
hustler, which is doing q great deal Mr..
Graf secured Lefty" right after the
season opened, and he was in charge
OF the games when the final game was
played. Lefty also had charge of
the Gallaudet College games and will
ofticiate at these contests again this
season.
AS yet Lefty has not signed. but it
is understood that the Independence
League has rendered him a contract
which he will sign.
Joe HandiBoe Again.
In the Railroad Y. NJ. C. A. League
Joe Handiboe, brother of Eddie, the
American Association official, has long
held sway. and. indeed, the Railroaders
could not get along without this popular
diamond star. Never loud or boisterous,
Joe makes friends easily, and has won
his way into the hearts of the sturdy
Railroaders in the circuit, and Is a fix
ture. Joe will be seen again this sum-
mer at the same old stand, holding the
Railroad Y. NJ. c. A. League on its feet
and keeping Catholic University on the
jump.
Dave Venable is another diamond Off
cial who deserves a great deal of praise.
He was one of our leading ball tossers
not many years sgo, and Is now work
ing with the mask and pad to the salts.
faction Of all. Last year in the defunct
District League Dave had a hard row to
hoe, having several trouble-makers to
handle, but he came through with flying
eolors, and in the post-season series |
demonstrated that he is able to deliver
the goods.
Dutch Newman, Cap Jenkins, Johnny |
sheekles, and Jumps Irwin handled indi- |
Gators last summer, the hrst-named in |
the Independence League, Jenkins in the |
late Suburban circuit. Sheekles in the |
Olympia, and Irwin in the Departmental |
League toward the end of the season. |
Just what leagues these officials will |
have this summer is not known, but It /
is safe to say that they viii not go |
wanting.
Dick woodward "Umps.,
new face will be seen among the UNI
plres this summer-DIck Woodward, the
old Central High receiver, being the
latest TO make known his intention of
becoming an arbitrator. Dick Is one of
our leading little catehers, having worked /
with the Commissioners for the past two
years; also with the Winchester club and
with many Independent teams around
this section Of the country Dick will /
still be working behind the bat, but not
with the -mitt, using an indicator In
stead He VIII more than likely be in :