The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-10


puff of wind and a small stone In
the outfeid cost Richmond game
Yesterday that was as good as won.
This bunch of hard luck came In the
fourth inning OF the second game OF
the present series with Petersburg.
When 1t had brushed by Richmond
had lost the game, Steve Grimm his
temper and his place on the team
for the rest of the day, Joe Laugh
lin his crouch against Reynolds and
the umpire, probably. his chance TO
umpire the rest of the series other
wise the double header today. re-
port of his transfer is unconfirmed.
Had Umpire Reynolds called a per
feotly good strike a strike, instead
of ball. he would have altered the
entire aspect OF the game. Reynolds
missed that one and as result he
was called approbrfous names and
abused vocaly, vociferously and al
most unanimously.
Here's how 1t happened:
Graf is IAttle Late.
Simmons caught Ayers and Gran
mapping in the fourth inning and laid
down a bunt The ball rolled slowly
down towards third base. Graf and
Ayers were caught tiatfooted and al
though the third baseman raced in.
scooped the ball with one hand and
lined IT. to Raley with one motion. he
missed Simmons by an eyelash.
Morrison placed a neat sacrifice and
Busch came up The crowd had lit
tie fear of the result, for Ayers was
working like a well regulated piece
Of machinery. showing great speed
and control. He shot one over on
Heinie followed ii up with A ball.
Heinie fouled off the next and let one
so by on the inside. The next ball
fairly split the plate, or seemed TO,
from the press box and grandstand,
midway between Busch's knees and
belt. Johnny Mace Strengthened up
and waited for Busch TO go to the
bench. but Umpire REYNOLDS yelled
ball" loud and clear, and Heinie
grinned.
doc" Ayers 3s usually a peaceahle,
quiet young man. but he showed his
teeth. bounced the ball on the ground
viciorsly and looked az II he could
bite the umpire. Mace wrinkled his
nose IN vain endeavor 10 nit II in
the sir Steve Griffin hurled sarcasms
from midway between the first and
second stations and the crowd yelled
"robber" and thief" In stentorian
tones.
Where the Game Was Loot
Right there the game was lost
Ayers shot the next bali across and
Busch was waiting for II. He lifted
1t TO center Garter trotted in a few
PAGES. set himself to make the catch
Ind the crowd settled back. sattsfied
that two men were out.
But old man hard luck was gtiil
on the job A gust of wind shaved
the ball out Of Carriers reach and
when he had retrieved II Simmons
Was across the plate and Busch safe
~ on his way to third
This wasn't SO very bad. but the
next man up. Blackstone. shot a
liner over second and Carter came
in to meet II as il bounded TO CEN
ter He was all ready 10 field II when
the ball hit small stone and bounced
past him It continued 10 the fence
at the corner of the club house and
Blackstone made the circuit Busc h
| trotting in from third
That one decision made by Rey-
| nolds had been the cause Of all the
! trouble and Steve Grimm was SO mad
by this time that when the ball was
/ sent into the diamond he bounced II
toward the pitchers box as II he was
abusing the ball for its cussedness
| Joe Langhlin Tells.
: Joe I4aughlin Immediately raced out
with his hand up calling out teach
err that is, he called the attention of
, umpire Reynolds to the fact that the
umpire was standing near the pitch
sr's box and that Griffin had thrown
the ball at him. Griffin denied It, but
| Reynolds. who stood for unlimited
abuse. and utilization from the Pc
tershurg players, mustered up enough
| courage to order Griffin to the bench.
| This broke up the team Charley
/ Strain went to second in place OF
Grimm and batted in his place. The
| first time up with Carter on second.
he drove fierce liner on which Busch
/ made spectacular catch. The next
time. in the seventh. with Carter again
on second waiting TO be rescued
Charles famed. Grimm might have
done better.
| Richmond lost all interest In the
game after that. apparently. for their
attack on Vance fell away off. The
Colts. had plastered the Petersburg
pitcher for six hits tn the FIRST three
innings, including three doubles Vance
had nothing in the line OF speed and
/ only good luck and fast plays by the
| Petersburg infield especially Busch
ard Morrison. saved him from a beat
ing How Richmond lost the game
has been told The other two runs
Just naturally came in when the Colts
gave up the fight
Ayers famed Ave OF the first nine
men up. He couldn't do his best, the
umpire got his goat"