Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-06
BY J. W. HpiSnlan.

catcher and home plate. Problems Of
a somewhat different nature often
confront him when he takes his stand
out in the field Of play behind the
pitcher.
The umpire should take this latter
position whenever a man gets on
base, with the idea Of being nearer to
the scene Of action IN case he should
be called upon TO render a base de-
cision.
From this position he VIII find that
he has a better view Of the plate and
Of pitched balls than when behind the
catcher for the reason that the pitch
er in front OF him will not interfere
so much with his view Of these plays
as does catcher
Standing behind the pitcher an UNI
pire must always be expectant Of the
pitcher or catcher throwing TO a base
TO nail a runner, and he should be
sure 10 follow the play carefully or
else he will find that something has
happened without his knowledge. He
should be quick to apprehend a throw
of the pitcher down to second. and be
sure TO jump quickly out Of the way.
Must Get Close to Play.
The point that ! consider most i'm
portant Of all for an umpire to bear in
mind. is 10 get as close as possible TO
the base AT which you expect to have
TO make a decision, without being or
getting in the way OF the play itself
Suppose a man is on first and the
batter hits safely 20 right with the hit
and run on II is certain the runner
on first win attempt to take third on
the hit. and the right fielder VIII make
his throw to that sack. In such case
the umpire ought to be within a cou-
pie Of feet Of third base at the time
the throw and the runner get there, Ia
order that he may be In the best pos
sible position 10 Judge The same
rule holds good for other plays at
other bases; and If IT appears that
there Is likely 10 be a double play he
should have the second play in mind
and get after that one also. For the
life Of me / can't understand why so
many umpires think all In the world
they have to do Is to stand in one
place look wise and make the best
guess they can. II they would only
MOVE and get about the field. the
do IN football, they would find them
selves working into positions where
they could give decisions that would
meet with more general satisfaction.
Take the case Of a fly ball or line
drive hit right down the first or third
base line. often enough an umpire
has plenty OF time in which to run
over and sight along the line before
the ball hits the ground, but half OF
them never stir out OF their tracks.
This is the result OF laziness and such
"A man is unit 20 umpire a game; II
h is mere thoughtlessness the fault
should be corrected, and can easily be
Don't Argue With Players.
Some players seem born 10 kick In
ball games, whether they are captain
or not IL ! were umpiring a game
would never listen 10 anybody but the
captain. and not him except in case of
his differing with me as TO the word
ing or Interpretation OF a rule. never
in case of a question Of fact. There
is no reason on earth why baseball
players should be allowed to argue
and delay games as much as they do
II is not permitted in tennis. basket
ball, football, track or any other
sports. In fact. II would be very bad
form for players 10 question an on
calls decision IN other sports the way
they do in baseball and certainly In
no other country are officials treated
with the general discourtesy that we
see exhibited by players TO umpires in
every baseball game IN this country.
But II, in umpiring a game, found
| had made mistake, whether I'm in
terpreting a rule or in deciding
question Of fact | would certainly
have no hesitation whatever in re-
versing my decision on the spot The
prevalent idea that after an umpire
has once made "A decision he can not
change il is nonsense. OF course he
could not do so after the game had
gone on a while, other players come
to the bat, etc. But II before any
further playing has been done the
umpire ascertains that he has made
a mistake he can undoubtedly re
verse his decision. IT. fact, we see II
done every day An umpire calls the
runner safe. but right after or soon
thereafter. observes that the fielding
player or baseman did not catch and
hold the ball as he the umpire, at
first supposed he had Clearly the
runner should have been called safe,
and what choice has the umpire but
to reverse his decision and call him
so?
Jumps Fooled in Trapped Ball
IulAt tlAth an umpire is talleN
upon 10 decide whether an outfielder
caught a ball before il touched the
ground OF whether he got Il on trap.
Too many umpires are fooled by the
clever acting of the outfielder who
pretends always that he caught il on
the fiy whether he really did or not
Umpires should entirely disregard
the actions and behavior Of the play
er after getting the bail and Judge
entirely from the way his ewes saw
the play This same proposition CON
fronts an umpire every time ne has
to make a base decision where the
runner only got the base If at all by
a clever slide around behind the
baseman and the latter had "a hard
time getting TO him To put the ball
on him. Both players will try 20 pull
the wool over the umpire's eyes by
their actions. which should he strict
ly disreEarded The only way 60 make
sure that your eyesiEnt alone shall
be the test of whether the man is ont
or not is to run close up on the play
and BE ON HAND SO you can see for
yourself
Many first basemen have a habit
of pulling their heel of the bag be-
fore they catch the ball An UNI
pire should be careful to note whoth-
er the first basemans foot IS in con
tact with the sack at the instant Of
catching the ball or not He should
also be sure to follow the course of