The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-08-06
Newspapers in Middle West Say
Officials Should Be Punished
for All Troubles.
By THOMAS KIRBY.

Ban Johnson for the immediate sup
precision of rowdyism in the American
League, is being sounded throughout
the MIDDLE West. And the blame is be-
ing placed on the umpires.
The newspapers show that from pTac-
ticalIy every city this side of the Al
leghanies protests are coming and the
u,ranimity of opinion seems to oe thdt
IL order is to be preserved, it viii only
he through stringent orders from the
head OF the circuit to his corps OF UNI
pires that they will be punished as
quickly as will the players, If they are
the culprits.
The Nationals have been deprived of
the services Of two of their most val
u-tble members because Jack Sheridan
took occasion to provoke a riot NJ De-
troit q week ago hy smuggling Morgan
and that a similar occurrence did not
AXE place in Cleveland was due to the
fact that when Bill Evans damned his
shoulder against Jay Kirke, the play
er restrained himself and did not hit
the umpire.
There was a time in the old National
League when trouble on the field was
the rule rather than the exception and
when the American made its bill for
popular support, Ban Johnson WIS suf-
fiCiently keen to appreciate that law
ana order on the diamond would do
more than anything else 10 draw the
better element to the new park. For
years he succeeded admirably in pru-
tectirg his umpires, but the situation
is oLce more getting beyond his con-
troll. He should act with the least pos
siblc delay If he is to preserve the Pop
ularity of the game that is now wealth
ering one Of the worst storms of its
history.
Here is a belated tribute to the
spirit of the Nationals from the
CLARK Griffth's Nationals certain
~ are there with the fighting spirit
Here's an example: Engel opened
the second inning by passing Chap
man. He also passed Leibold. When
he started out by giving a ball to Pc
Zold, the next man up, Shanks ran
in all the way from center field tn
whisper words of advice and encour-
agements. Gandil. Mcbride. Scbasfer.
Foster. and Henry all gathered
around and spoke words of comfort.
"Engle pulled himself together and
the Maps failed to score. That's the
kind of stuff that helps win ball
games"
The latest addition to Nick Alfro ck's
makeup OF the field is a straw hat
with a brilliant green band lie says
fall he will wear it in mis- act on the
stage next winter Jim SHAW is wear
ing the same sYrt Of an adornmert
During the Cleveland stav Howard
ShankS did nos overlonk n? oppor-
tunity to slip down to dear old Monaco
to see all The town folks.
One of the features Of the exhibition
game 1T Frederick. Nj. on August II
will tie the appearance of RG% Nor
gan. 1t will be recalled that !Io~gan
made his professional debut on the
team representing that cIty before he
was yanked up bv the Danvil'e club
Of the Virginia L. ague.
4 statistician out here has brought
forth figures to show that. while Walter
Johnson may be the emperor of the
slab. his control hardly compares with
that of Christy MathewsOn. leader of
the National League slabhists. In Isl
innings MathewsOn has given but nine
teen bases on balls. which is an aver
age of one for about every ten and
half rounds. Johnson's record how
ever, shows that he has averaged a
base on balls about every six innings.
To the disgruntled members of the
Cleveland Maps. Owner Somers has .
made it plain that Joe Birmingham is
20 be retained as manager. and the men
who cannot go along on friendly terms !
with the leader will be disposed VI. !
Lajoie. Olson. and Johnston are on the !
market and it Is an open secret that !
Nean Gregg was sent to Boston because |
he held views that did not fit with those !
by the one supposed To be !
running the club.
Somers has often in the past inter !
fered with the work of his team ny /
changing managers. Nc |
CURE, Davis. Stovall. and Lajoie were
each allowed to step down. Now the |
owner has evidently reached the con- |