The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-12-03
UMP|RES HAVE THE
FANS CONFIDENCE
Present-day Arbitrators Diff
ferent from Judges of
the Olden Times.
(By Tim

several OF these men have handled
games in the big leagues six. eight and
twelve years. and altogether have
done wonderful work in the face of
men in post series has ever been of
exceptional quality. No magnate.
manager or player can say honestly
that they ever intimidated one of these
officials even for a second. These um-
ptres have ever risen to the occasion
and proved safety valves for the game.
Not So in Oldcn Days.
1t wasn't so in the early history of
n game. when umpires We're intimi-
dated by player and public and re-
ceived little protection from the club
owners. All kinds Of influences from
without and within were brought to
bear on the men who were chosen to
of1ciate in some important game. No
n seemed to have a good word to
say for the arbitrator. He was con-
sidered a mark for the loud-mouthed
funny man on the grounds and the
poor players around the hotel. for the
fact is frst-class players seldom both
er their heads about the umpire.
To show the difficulty in securing
an absolutely fair umpire, let me tell
an interesting story about some very
clever people who turned a trick in
the year 1870.
Determined to put Chicago on the
baseball map by defeating the famous
Cincinnati Red Stockings. a band of
Chicago sports, organized a club in
1870. with several crack eastern play
ers in the lineup. including Jimmie
Wood Of Brooklyn as captain.
Ed Cuthbert, Fred Tracey, McAtee,
King and other players from New
York. Philadelphia and Troy gave
| ChiNQ0 On a 0fr0n0 faor -, with 4~o -lloo<
in view. viz: the defeat Of Harry
Wright's great Cincinnati aggregation,
that had gone through 1863 without
a defeat.
Big Sums Wagered.
At that time it was the best two out
of three for the honors, and large
amounts of money were wagered on
every game, then hackers of the Chi
cago club figuring that they could
make a pot of money by defeating the
Cincinnati men.
The series was arranged and the
first game booked for Cincinnati. The
Chicago party arrived on time. &C.
companied by a brass band, and q
band Of royal rooters. There was a
big crowd out. The Cincinnati sports
We're willing to back their club to the
limit, n found the Chicago sports
loaded with bank rolls. Cincinanti was
a slight favorite and more money was
wagered on the first game than was
ever put up on a ball game before OF
since.
In those days the umpire was Sc.
lected the day of the game. usually
some well-known amateur player or
the ground. who was agreeable to hotr
sides. There was a story circulated
about Cincinnati during the mornln.
of the game that AL Halenbach OF
Philadelphia, a clever umpire. was or
hand to see the game.
Th1S rulmor was sent out by Eddie
Cuthbert for Harry Wright's benefit
for although he had never seen the
Philadelphia amateur his name was
known in baseball circles as a well
posted. absolutely fair official, and Mr.
Wright. always willing to stand for ar
even break, was only hoping that Mr.
game that afternoon.
Leaders Name Umpire.
Before time for calling the game
Harry Wright and Eddie Cuthbert go,
together INC talked over the question
Of umpire. Mr.. Wright named two 10.
cal men, who were objected to by
Cuthbert. Finally Mr.. Wright re.
marked that he heard that Mr.. Halen.
bach of Philadelphia was at the game
anu ne WOulQ De satisfactory to the
Cincinnati club.
! remarked Mr.. Cuthbert. let us see II
! he is here. I know him very we'll and
will see If I can locate him.
Then Mr.. Wright and Cuthber,
passed in front of the stand, calIins
for Mr.. Halenbach. Finally a swell
dressed young man walked out to NEE,
and shake hands with Eddie Cuthbert
Hello. Al!" How do you do, Mr.
Cuthbert?"
Harry Wright was introduced and
said that both clubs had agreed tc
have him umpire the game.
After a little persuasion on the par
Of Mr.. Wright the Phila delphia ANA.
teur consented to ~oficiate. Eddie
Cuthbert sent the tip around and the
Chicago gamblers got busy. Offering
odds on the Chicago team. The
game went along smoothly for three
innings. Then came several decisions
that caused the crowd, to fairly howl;
but Harry Wright and his men were
game and kept right after their op.
ponents. AS the one-sided umpirine
kept UP the Cincinnati players com.
menced to protest. but the umpire
smiled and grew worse. until Chicago
had a big lead and finally won, though
they were clearly outplayed.
Accompanies Winners Home.
After collecting their bets the Chi
cago party boarded their special train
for home quite late that night, with
their band playing the popular airs of
the day. and Mr.. Halenbach, the
'phony" Quaker umpire the most con-
s%picuous royal rooter in the party.
Chicago had put one over on the
Cincinnati club by ringing in a WELL
known Chicago gambler as AL Halen-
bach.
This defeat was a death blow to the
game in Cincinnati. and the next win
ter the members Of the great team
left for eastern clubs. the Wright
brothers coming to Boston.
In the death of John 7. Brush base
ball loses ono of the most remarkable
men ever connected with the game
Il National league its strongest indi-
ridual supporter and the fraternity a
liberal. kind-hearted' friend. knew
him we'll for twenty-five years and al.
ways found him fair-mtnded, liberal,
and an absolute friend Of the game.
The game can i'll afford to lose a
man of the John r. Brush caliber. He
hos left us IL monument in the mag
niticent plant at the polo grounds in
New York.
STEPHEN GETS JOR.
Chi.Yrn Drr 3-.V~,Itor ID ce.~-