The Washington herald., 1912-06-23
Be Merciful to the UmpS;
Has Troubles Of His Own
Hank O'Day Says Don't Roast the Arbirators, and
He Should Know-H -Hard-working Set of Men,

Hank O'Day frankly admits that there
Is some doubt about the Reds winning
the National League pennant OF one
thing. however, he is certain, and he
says II with firm snap OF his square
jaws. He VIII never be an umpire bait
er. Contrary to expectations the dlf-
ference in point Of view has not changed
O'Day's ideas in the least concerning the
treatment OF umpires. He declares they
look to him now just as they did be-
fore he became a manager
''Umpires." says Mr.. o'Day, ARE a
hard working lot OF fellows and get very
little sympathy or encouragement from
the people they are trying to serve. 1
tests. and. as far as possible. win stop
my players from the habit Of question
ing decisions. 1 do this for two rea-
sons: First, because expulsion OF play
~ers from the game weakens q team.
and second, because know the officials
are trying their best TO give decisions
correctly. II let alone their judgment
would be more accurate All ! want Is
fairness, and 1 think any team VIII get
that regardless OF what Is said TO the
umpineS"
Incidentally, Mr.. o'Day advanced the
rather interesting idea that It Is the
players who cause the unfavorable atti-
tude Of the public toward umpires, and
not the spectators who are Witnessing
the sport
Fans Have No idea
7 venture to say" he explained, that
In nine cases out Of ten the fans who
watch a game have no idea why play
ers are ordered on the field In the pa
pers every day you read lines like this:
"so-and-So put out Of the game for dis
putting the umpires decision That -
all the writers know as to what really
happened and consequently It is all the
public knows. Go down to President
Lynch's office and you VIII see that 30
per cent Of these players are put out
not for disputing the decision. but for
using profane or obscene language. or
course the fans and reporters are too
far away to hear that and are, there
fore, In ignorance Of the real cause"
you were about to say that the play
ers are responsible for the public atti-
tude toward umpires," was suggested.
Yes he replied. THAT is quite trus
II you will notice, q spectator never
kicks on decision when the player sf-
fected doesn't kick. They take It for
granted that the umpire Is right. The
minute that the player starts to kick.
however, the spectators turn to kick.
umpire. This is not because they know
the decision is wrong, but because the
player makes them think It Is wrong.
Players often kick on an umpire to
cover up their own blunders, and that
Is what mIsleads the public. II the
players observed the rules and did not
kick, the public would never say word
and the position Of umpire would carry
with II much more dignity"
nNd.r.-F a. E--I,.N
In England. for instance" went on
Mr.. o'Day, ''the played or the spectator
who kicks at an umplre's or referees
decision Is looked upon with contempt
He is not regarded as a clean sports
man. And he is not clean sportsman
Some Of these days the baseball UNI
pires are going to be treated as officials
Of sporting events are in England. but
It IS a long time on. The idea OF kick
ing on decisions Is drilled into players
from the time they are little boys They
regard It as part Of the game. 1t will
take him to make them look at It IN
the proper way. Rules win not do It
Ideas Of clean sportsmanshIp must be
taught the kids. As they grow up. the
sport in consequence will be cleaner. The
whole thing is a matter'to be settled by
the PLAYERS, Once they are taught the
right Idea, they can IN turn teach the
pDslie.
Z.Do you know" continued the ex-um-
pire. that scores Of capable umpires
have been forced to quit the game be-
cause they could not stand the public
gan Of unfairness? When a man is try
ing 70 do right II gets under his skin
TO be unfairly criticised day after day.
Some Of them can't stand II and give
up me fight. The only men who stick
are those who let abuse roll on them
like water OF ducks back. Il takes a