The Washington herald., 1914-04-26
Charges Investigated.

President johnson of the American
league and President Tener Of the Ma
ional League have charge Of the UNI
ires in their respective circuits. 1t is
rom these men that the Indicator hand
ers receive Instructions and their as
ignments
IF complaints are made by various
:lub owners that a certain umpire Is in
Competent, the league presidents have
he power to remove the arbiters in .ques-
ion, and during the past ten years /
ave seen a great many come and go.
Uncle Nick Young, of Washington,
orrner president Of the National League.
vas the first executive to back up his
Impires. He always stuck by them until
verruled by a majority vote of the club
rwners, when certain indicator handlers
we're unpopular.
Tom Lynch, Gaffney and Bob Emslie
,ld-timers, were all good men and COM
ARE favorably with the present crop.
Il consider Billy Evans the best UNI
ire in the American League and Billy
KLEIN the best in the National, although
Oineen, Connolly and Egan are all COM
Ietent men.
American League Stnff Best.
TO NV mind the American League
tan of umpires is better than the Ma
ional League stan. They are also
lacked up better by President Ban John
on, whose word always has been law,
md his decisions final in such matters,
IN the other hand the National League
Tub owners and president have been at
oggerheads and the chief executive has
lever been able to rendr efficient service
handling his umpire staff
Thus far this season the umpiring in
he American League has been uniformly
,ocd. We have had Connolly and Dineen.
cvans and Egan during the few games
lrea6y played, and their work has called
or very few protests
II have been accused by baseball writ
rs and others Of umpire batting, probably
ecause I always make my presence
nown when / believe that / have been
iven the short eEd OF a close decision,
nut I am not an umpire batter in any
ense of the world / have warned my
layers repeatedly not to get into
rrangles with the umpires and only en-
er a protest myself when / believe 1
ave a good kick coming.
'Nagging an umpire never yet got a
manager a thing. / am opposed to II and
fways have been.
During the present season / do not
xpect to lose the services Of any one
my players through Punishment by
n umpire for back talk or any other
ause. am on the indicator handlers for
re, ana co not propose 10 give Inem a
hance to hand me a suspension
ANY time one of q managers regular
all players gets in bad with an UNI
Ire and is suspended for a week or so.
ne club Is going 20 suffer and ! do not
-stend TO weaken my forces In this man
er II can helm it.
For O number Of years have at
smpted to get passed a rule which 1 be-
eve would be Tor the good Of the game,
hat OF compelling the field umpire to
AXE his stand In some ether place than
shin6 the pitcher when men are on sec
nd and third bases.
The field umpire has no business in
lde the diamond / believe he can fol-
w plays Just as well from a position
hck Of second base, but you can't make
be umpires think so.
Where Umps Are Menace.
Take play where men are on first
nd third and the catcher throws to
econd base. I have frequently seen the
all hit the umpire. A batted ball is al
rays likely to hit the umpire when he
lands behind the pitcher, and even IL
! does not hit him. the mere fact that
3 Is between the shortstop or second
aseman, and a bounding ball often dis
oncerts a fielder to such an extent that
b viii tumble at a critical stage.
'Umpires do not want to work from
point outside the diamond. claiming
hat they cannot get over to third base
4 time to pass Judgment on close plays.