Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-04
CAREER OF UMPIRE DEPENDS
ON SUCCESS OF HIS DEBUT
Poor Getaway for the Chap With Ability
Simply Makes His Task All
the More Difficult

was assigned to certain city for a
weeks stay. Prior to the coming of the
new umpire the club representing the
city in question had been enjoying a
winning streak. and had managed to jump
into the lead. The new umpire's first
game was on Sunday before i'm
mense crowd. He worked the plate, and
for eight innings got along smoothly. In
the ninth inning he had a close decision
at the plate. If he called the runner safe
had a chance: if he decided the man was
out. the game was over. The umpire
gave the play as he saw it. called the
man out, and then the mob scene en-
sued.
the crowd to forget all about the home
team s three or four errors that had made
1t possible for the visitors to score as
many runs. The fans forgot how on two
occasions, with the bases filled, two of
the best batters on the club had struck
out The wrath of the fans was centered
on that one decision on the last out in
the ninth. The unfavora BILE verdict made
them all blame the umpire for the loss of
the game. when. as matter of fact, he
played only very minor part in the e
feat. even admitting that the decision was
incorrect.
That one decision on his debut made the
day a stormy one, also the weeks stay.
III iiiC Nceh tie tcdI1 WHICH ndQ DreEl-
ously been running wild won a single
game out of seven played. The new UNI
plre was then assigned elsewhere Imme-
diately on his departure luck broke badly
Tor him again, as the home club in the
town he had left started a winning
streak. which, of course tended to
strengthen the impression that the UNI
pire was solely responsible for the teams
slump
In couple of weeks the new umpire
. was assigned back to the town he had left
Tor few games. and Immediately the
nome team began to lose. He had nothing
more to do with that teams ups and
downs than the man in the moon. per-
haps, but
The unfortunate break in luck in that
one cry practically ruined the chances
ana ability of that umpire 1t caused
other clubs to object to his work. made
MN the target for abuse from all direc-
lions, caused him to lose some of his con-
hoence, and naturally affected his work.
Next year the umpire who seemed sure
70 make good in major league will be
PACK IN the minors, and a tough break
IN luck in one city practically killed his
chances.
Several years ago the Cleveland club
! had pitcher by the name of Eels. On
trip through the east he won four
games FOR the Maps. Cleveland returned
nome Tor holiday game. The club was
| beaten III the morning. Ten minutes
prior TO the start of tie afternoon con-
test the crowd set up a cry for Ecls, and
continued II until the youngster was sent
out TO warm up. Manager Lajoie had no
| desire TO start the youngster before so
/ Dig crowd. but the crowd would have
! stood for no other. Eels pitched to about
| hVe men. ! believe. before he was taken
| out Three We're passed, couple hit
| and few wild pitches slipped in be-
| tween. The crowd that had yelled put
him in" was yelling more loudly now TO
| take him out. That debut finished
! Mr.. Eels shortly afterward he passed
! to the minors.
! 1t Is not always the crowd that gets
| the young player, as might be indicated
| in the case mentioned. Perhaps the
!, thing that provides the real acid test fol
| the recruit is the gantlet he must rur
, from players of the team he opposes. Ii
| may all be III the game-part of the plan
| to win-but il sometimes seems unfair
| that lad who has everything should be
| driven to the bushes by the fellows VIII,
! are in the same profession with him. r
/ is an odd angle of base ball that exists
in no other line OF work. nor even il
| other forms of sport.
Last year Ray Heating. who is ex
| pected to do things for Frank Chance a
| New York. made a most peculiar biz
| league start He was sent in to worl
the ninth inning against st. Louis in &
game already lost. If my memory serve.