The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-06-29
Birthday of Late
 Tim Hurst, Veteran
 Umpire and Referee

Tomorrow will be the fiftieth an rfyersary of the birth of Tim othy Hurst, the celebrated baseball unn- pire and ring referee, who died at Minersville, Pa. early this month The passing of Tim, while still in the prime of life, robbed the sporting world of one of it's squarest and '"whitest'' characters, for there wasn't a. crooked hair in Tina's head. Of course, while in the heat of battle Tim had to take his share of knocks and slams. for the arbiter never lived who could always please both sides to a, controversy. Disgrunt1ed fans and sport scribes cast the usual asper- sions on Tina's eyesfght, when he handed down a decision that didn't please lem, and, on occasion the os- seous nature of his dome of thought was publicly proclaimed. After the smoke had cleared away, however, the fans usually realized that Tim was right, or at least, on the square
 | As an umpire Hurst was about the most pugnacious and forceful in base ball history. He was always ready and willing to back up his decfsi ons with his two good fists, and during his major league career scarce month passed without Tim engaging in at least one rnix-up with ebu11ient players Tim lost his job / in the American league in 1909 after a shin dy with Eddie Collins. It was alleged that Hurst expectorated in Eddie's face That was st2 mutcEl'' for the American league mogu1s to stand, and they fired Tim, who afterWard made a personal apology to Collins, al- though he had refused to do so pub Hciy to save his job. After leaving the diamond Hurst became a, boxing match referee and promoter of six day bicycle races, and also engaged in the real estate business on Long Island.
 Hurst was born on the last day of June, half a. century ago, in Ashland, Pa His first job as an umpire was in the Pennsylvania State league in 1888. The following year he went to the Southern league, where he act ed as arbiter until the circuit went on the rocks in nid-season. It is saAd that Tim began his Southern career when, as a spectators, he volunteered to act as arbiter in a, close game over which there was much popular excite ment. The players and fans became so threatening that the regular urn- pire quit under fire. In the last inn ing Tim called a home player out at the plate with what would have been the tying run. There was a great howl of rage from the stands, but Tim calmly pulled gun and invited thee rowd to wade in.
 After the Southern league quit Tim got a job as umpire in the old Wes- ASSOC1dL1OA. / HI 4SSV 119 WdS hired tom amaze the Minneapolis club, but he had a. rookus with the owner and threw up the job at the end of the season. In 1891 Hurst became 8 National league umpire. He was dis charged in 1895, because the mag mates objected to his acting a box ing referee in the winter, and went over to the Eastern league. but re- turned to the National in 1e96 and remained until 1898. That year he managed the St. Louis Browns, then the toughest crowd in baseball, and after drubbing every man on the club quit in disgust. In 1899 he again became a. National league arbfter, but was fired again in 1902, because Pres tdent Pul1ian objected to Tfm's pro- posa1 to act as referee of the fight be- tween FItzsimmons and Ruf1lin. Tim was hired again in 1908, and in 1905 went over to the American league staff of umpires-
 Hurst had a, caustfc, witty tongue, and his shafts of sarcasm were sharp
 enough to get through the hide of the taicakest ball player, pugifist or wrestler. Besides officiating on the
 diamond for a score of years, Hurst was third man sin the ring at many | big fights and wrestling matches. In his younger days he was a runner of | considerable ability.