Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-05
BY BILLY EVANS.

"If it hadn't been for that poor de-
cisiOn by the umpire We would have Won
today is a remark that is often heard
as the crowd files out of the park after
the home team has been defeated. On
the other hand. you seldom if ever hear
the fans say: eff it hadn't been for that
favorable decision by the umpire we
would have lost Such is the case
however. just as often as the other. but
the fans see only the rulings that sc
against thenl-never the close verdicts
that are given in their favor.
Empires are human, all statments to
the contrary. and being human they err
Empires give the plays just as they see
them. When they render a ruling. they
always at that particular moment believe
such decision is the only correct one.
\ moment later it may be evident to
them that they have erred, but there Is
10 way to correct the incorrect verdicts
They must stand on the books forever.
Naturally these mistakes that are made
by the umpires play a prominent part In
the different games. Unfortunately foI
the umpires. they are seldom given credit
for the countless correct decisions they
render. They are always discredited,
though. for any apparent mistakes they
seem to have made. One team must bene-
fit by every ruling, right or wrong; the
ether club must suffer. One club Is
pleased the umpire so rendered the play;
the other team is willing to make affidavit
that the official is stone blind
Mistakes Usually Costly.
1t is possible for every decision rem
dered to play a prominent part in the out
come Of every game. A miscalled ball OF
strike often changes the entire complex
ion of contest. A base decision rem
dered either way can ultimately make a
big difference in the score. All sensible
teams realize that the breaks on the sea-
son are even up, and accept the rulings
i'll a sane manner. Other clubs have play
ers who, not content with losing close
play, insist on kicking until a couple OF
their stars are removed from the game.
Thus they cripple their chances coming
and going.
1t is then apparent that the umpire can
affect the score other than by his rulings
on balls. strikes and the bases. Every
now and then it becomes his painful duty
to remove one or more players from the
field for certain reasons. 1t is really sur
prising what part such moves often
have on the outcome OF the game. 1t is
d SOOU tndt every t1IDe UMPIRE
puts a man out of the game the chap Sc
lected to take the place of the baniShed
athlete either wins or loses the contest.
This may seem a bit surprising at first
reading, but ask any umpire. and he will
be able to relate a dozen such instances
to you. In this connection L recall sew
eral incidents that happened in the Amer
lean League last summer
Cost Tigers the Game.
DOME Bush of the Tigers is wonderful
ball player. lie can cover a world OF
ground, and when he is absented from his
place at short the Tigers usually suffer.
While DOME often differs with my judg-
ment, he does it in such way that, as a
rule. we get along famously. There are
exceptions to all rules, and one of them
cropped out in a game at Washington
last summer. With the Nationals a run
to the good Bush on third and one out,
DOME tried to score on a slowhit ball to
Mcbride, who made a wonderful play
and managed to get Bush at the plate.
II suppose I'm out" said Bush as he
lay fiat on the ground, foot or so
from the plate.
You have rendered the correct de-
cision," / responded. At the same
time I smiled and started to dust off
the plate. DOME was in no mood for
smiles: he had tried his best to tie
up the game. and he was a bit peevish
at being declared out. Picking up
some dirt in his hand. he threw it
down, nowhere in particular. but
merely wanted to express his disgust
at the break in luck. Unfortunately
for Bush and myself. there was just
enough wind that day to carry all the
dust in my direction. What 1 didn't
take down my throat / inhaled through
my nose. Just as soon as l could
clear my throat enough to speak L
had Bush going in the direction of the
clubhouse. He tried to explain that it