Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-27
LIFE OF UMPIRE ISN'T HALF
AS HARD AS 1T IS PAINTED
General Conduct Of Players Constantly I'm
proving, Thereby Lessening Burdens
of Arbitrator.

were couple of thousand bugs who had
already lost their heads. ! suppose l
would have done all right had graceful
ly submitted to the wallOp intended for
my Jaw and taken the count. No one likes
trouble less than 1 do: no one cares less
about a fight; but If beating the other fell
low to the punch is losing ones head l
would advise all umpires to lose their
heads promptly when such situations
arise.
Such situations as the one referred to
seldom come UP these days, however.
The old joke about the umpire's running
the fire of pop bottles, etc. is still held
In stock and used to fill space by the
base ball humorists, but about the only
experience an umpire has with pop
bottle these days is when some careless
ran throws one into the field because he
has Slapped it's contents and has no fur
Their use for it, and even in such cases
or carelessness there is usually an officer
Mandy to impress upon the careless one
that the playing field must not be made
a dumping ground for broken glass.
The fact is. in the majors at least, the
fans are getting better understanding
of the game and of the duties of the UNI
pire. | venture also that the yare becom-
ing more sportsmanlike. They go out to
see a game nowadays for the games
sake. not to see the home team win by
hook or crook. 1 speak for the majors.
but no doubt the same progress is being
made in the minors. Ed Wood, veteran
minor umpire, tells a story of being jail
ed once for giving decision against the
nome team. but that was in the long ago.
Every now and then a minor Lacquer Is
called upon to display his fistic prowess
in order to retain his prestige, but ability
to swap punches is no longer an asset to
be a big Lacquer. League executives
much prefer umpires who can get along
peacefully. rather than those who are
always in trouble. Umpire trouble al
ways makes trouble for the president,
hence the desire for fellows who can rule
Sternly, yet in such a way that they are
not constantly stirring up things. A little
fellow can run the game just as well as
big fellow, often far more successfully.
In only one way has the big fellow an
advantage over his smaller brother-um-
pre- Just at present, husky catcherS are
all the rage. When a big backstop is
working, it is far easier for a big fell
low to get things correctly, when work
ing back Of the plate. than the smaller
official.
Since the Inauguration of the double
umpire system the duties Of the umpires
have been divided up, and the mistakes
considerably leSsened. The double UNI
pire system is the only system, and 1t is
here to stay. Mistakes will still be made
and lots of them, but the brand Of UNI
piring is certain to be much improved with
two competent men in charge. Two fell
lows once they get accustomed TO each
others style, work together in such
way that seldom is a play left uncov
cred. Only umpires who have been
through strenuous campaigns In which
only one man was in charge can realize
what a big Improvement the double UNI
pire system is over the old style of judy
ing plays.
l see that both the American Associa-
ton and the International League have
added a number of former big leaguers
to their staff Each staff should be cor
siderably strengthened by the new men.
Jim tombstone Is still a fine umpire, de-
spite his many years service. while Fred
Westervelt has everything to make
high-class official Johnny Mullen had
great year in the International last sea-
son, am told, and Bill Finneran is sure
to go well. A change of scenery is GER
tain to prove beneficial to Jimmy Muir
ray, and it will to Blerhalter and Hayes.
The International lost a corking good Of
fetal when Murray was traded.