Evening star., 1914-06-28


tionals have been engaged in has the
team given the impression that 1t is
made up of umpire baiters. There have,
of course, been so many occasions when
protests have been justified that they
have taken up much of the players
| time, but to the detriment of their play
ing. 1t will be well for Griffith to make
J it a rule to leave the umpires alone
When one proves himself incompetent
| there ought to be other ways of reach
ing him than by making demonstrations
best interests of the team and has been
the cause of numerous defeats.
Griffith admits that he was the most
surprised man in the ball park the other
day when Chill forfeited the game. He
regrets the incident very much. because
it is the first time in his long career that
he has been identified with such an
event He has fully explained the mat
ter to Ban johnson. who has replied
ton Of 1t, and he hints that the person
guilty will have to stand severe punish
ment. Griffith hopes to prove that Chfll's
action was hasty, and he ought not to
have much trouble in doing that.
The leading witness against Griffith
undoubtedly will be Connie Mack. He
has come out in the public prints in
Philadelphia calling the affair a disgrace
and advocating the election Of Griffith
from base ball. The Philadelphia papers,
and If Mack is to be consulted by john
son. Grifdth's side is sure to have to be
strong to carry any weight.
Strangely enough. Connie Mack was
even more seriously involved about an
umpire a few years ago. and yet no ac-
O'Laughlin a crook. He wrote 1t over
his own signature and made practice
to repeat it whenever he could. The
only action that was ever taken against
Mack was to have Ban johnson write
him a letter reprimanding him. Had a
player INDUCED in any such apparent ex-
pose he would probably have been black
listed. But now Mack Is after Griffith.
He has never taken kindly to the Wash
ington manager because he has fought
him bitterly ever since he has been at
the head of the Washington club.
Chief Bender. despite the fact that he
is credited with q victory over johnson.
did not pitch in anything like his old
form Yesterday. He was. was hit t.. much slss
lucky to have several hard drives at
critical moments pulled down by his
support Bender worked for the first
time in days against the Nationals. He
was perfectly rested and expected TO pe
in his best form, yet he was hit hard.
1t does not look as if he would be OF as
much value to his team this season as
he has been in the past.
Tn that forfeited game. in the very first
inning Nick Altrock. coaching at first
base. called Chill's attention to Joe
Busf's failure to keep his foot on the
rubber in the act Of pitching For his
watchfulness Nick was Immediately sent
to the bench from the coaching lines
Later in the game however, Ira Thomas
who was not even in the game. came Ut
to Chin and stopped proceedings while
he complained of Engel's alleged failure
to live up to the pitching rules. and i'm
mediately Chill began to call Bali every
time that Engel pitched. The attitude OF
Chill and Sheridan in the series here has
been SO apparently unfair from a Wash
ington standpoint that they ought really
to be investigated. Though Chill. be-
couse of his station behind the bat, is
| really in charge. he never takes any ac-
ton that is not suggested or ordered by
Sheridan a man who was retired five
years ago because Of failing eyesight
The players are under the impression
that Chick Gandil will be suspended a,
Chills suggestion because he will claim
that Gandil purposely threw the ball al
| him which was intended for Ainsmith
Gandil says that he never thought Of
such thing. and that the ball actually
slipped out of his hand because 1t was
| wet Later in the game the same thing
, happened to Wally Smith. who made q
throw to the plate in practice. and il
barely missed Chill. who gave Smith a
hard look but took no further action.
johnson held the slugging Baker hit
less, though he walked him once: but
he offset this by scoring a strike-out
on him in the third inning. According
to those who have made a study Of
Bakers hitting there Is but one way to
hold him in check. and that is to pitch
to him low and outside. This is be-
lieved to be his weakness, but the
pitchers who lack control and cannot
put the ball where they want to are
apt to suffer greatly by their mistakes.
for should they get the ball anywhere
near Bakers groove havoc follows.