Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-20
WHAT DECISION IS THE
TOUGHEST FOR THE UMPIRE?
Billy Evans Writes Interestingly on a
Problem That Will Wake Up
Enthusiastic Fans.

What is the hardest decision for an
umpire to make? That was the question
written on the back of i; postal card
which l received from the fair city of
Lincoln, Neb, the other day. 1t was
signed "A friend of the umpire, and
concluded by saying that he would expect
reply through the Sporting News. Since
friends of the umpire are supposed 10 be
rather scarce, IT behooveS me to try to
explain my view of the question.
Every man who ever umpired has no
doubt had the same question put up TO
him many time during his career.
There are any number of hard plays that
the umpire must decide in every contest.
1t is only natural that certain plays
should give some umpires more trouble
thans others. | believe NEST unpres Will
agree with me when say that plays IN
which the ball arrives ahead Of the run
neT, and the runner must DE touched. are
the cause OF more disputes than any other
one class OF plays. There are many
angles to such plays, so many situations
with which but few are familiar. that
wrangles usually arise, no matter how the
decision is given.
l don't believe any play makes an UNI
pire look worse, even though he is abso-
lutely correct! than a play in which the
runner is declared safe. when 1t is APP
parent that the ball has beaten him to
the base by a couple of strides 10 the
man in the grandstand such plays look
easy They can't figure how the umpire
could possibly make a mistake on such
a ruling, Yet it is just such plays that
keep the umpres constantly In not water.
Don't always regard the runner as u
certain out, simply because the ball beats
him to the bag. Don't always regard the
base runner safe, simply because he ar
rives at a base In advance OF the bail.
/ admit plays generally look that way
from the view of the spectator but many
things can happen on the ball field TO
change entirely the complexion of the Sit
uation.
In this connection 1 recall a play that
came under. my Jurisdiction several years
ago. 1t happened in the final inning
Of very important game. With the home
team a run to the bad, man on thlrd
and one out, the batter hit a long fly to
left field The runner decided to try TO
score on it and tie up the game. The
outfielder who caught the ball had a
great throwing arm, but it was apparent
that the runner would win easily In the
race to the plate with the ball
The catcher the team in the field
realized the importance of the play. knew
the decision would be close. perceived
that the odds were against him, so de
cided that he must resort to bravery ana
strategy, if he was to win his point. Pro-
tected with big shin guards. he set HIM
self in front of the plate, blocking that
base entirely. The base runner, d slight
speedy chap, hit the dust and crashed
into the big backstop with all MS force
The ball struck the catcher's glove, just
at the time the base runner appeared to
touch home plate. The catcher JBggled
the ball momentarily. but Il moment later
touched the runner. who was Still wig
Cling on the ground.
TO those in the stand it seemed as if
the runner had scored easily. Many were
already celebrating the event. confident
the home club would be able to win out
i'm extra innings. Imagine the crowds
surprise. and its feeling toward the UNI
pire, when they realized that the base
runner had been declared out. The play
ended the game. As | worked my way
through the crowd to the dressing room.
a very clever looking fellow couldn't re-
frain from saying:
i've seen many rotten decisions, but |
must hand you the championship on that
one
1T wasn't hal as punk as it looked to
you," / replied. very unfortunately the
base runner hasn't touched the plate
yet"
III you're only telling half the truth I
would be willing to buy you the best hat
in town. replied the fan.
ANY time you are prepared to buy the
lid. I am ready to make the selection.
answered. That ended the CONVERSE
ton the fan went on his way. while ]
continued to my dressing room.
The mail next day brought me Il five
dollar note. also a few words OF apology,
and hope that ] would enjoy sporting
the new chapeau. Ut happened that the
fan who failed to agree with me on my
ruling was friend of several of the
piayers lie must have brought up the
decision. also our conversation. After the
pay had been explained realizing that
he had made the error. he>came through
with his offer
In reality there was nothing to the
play; the base runner had simply failed
to touch the plate. although it was evil
dent TO every one in the park that he had
beaten the throw by a good margin. The
fact that the catcher also juggled the
throw made my ruling of out appear all
the more ridiculous. But, protected by
the mammoth shin guards that are now
worn by every wise catcher, the receiver
Knew he had nothing to fear from the
base runner, knew the only way to save
the game was to take chance on block
ing the plate. and he succeeded in his
efforts.
The circumstances related above fire.
auently happen at the other bases. The
very opposite often happens at second
base. Every fan is able to recall in
stances where d man has attempted