New-York tribune., 1918-07-23
Sub Umpires
Make a Hit
Despite Heat
Yanks and Browns Satisfied
With Mike Donlin and
Two Bits" Bierhalter
By Charles A. Taylor


Louis Browns played a fifteen inning
tie at the Polo Grounds yesterday
afternoon and evening The score was
to j. In many respects it was the
oldest game ever contested under
coogan', Cliff. In the first place the
late of the game itself was hanging
over the cliff, and the players and fans
were on the old qui vive for any news
that had to do with the future of the
psstime.
In the second place no umpres had
appeared on the field at $3.50, the time
set for the start cf the game. The
astute Manager Huggins and the
equally sstute Jim Burke, director of
he destines Of the Browns wherever
they may lead him, finally wearied of
the boos they were receiving from the
thousand fans present and called a
conference under the shadows of the
crandstand.
l; somehow didn't occur to the COM
bined astuteness at first that the two
managers had perfect right to choose
player from each team to replace the !
missing srbiters. But someone sug-
sested from the press box as the con
ference opened that the famous Mike
DoniiD was 2 spectator, as we'll as
Marty Mciiale. author of "Close-Ups,"
and once pitcher for the Red Sox and !
the Yankees.
Two Bits in Spotlight
Nike Donlin met with the approval
Of higgins as his choice, but Burke /
said he had 2 real umpire in the per-
son Of Two Bits Bierhalter, trainer
Of the Browns. The demon statisti-
cans among the, scribes and pharisees
at once got busy, and the information /
that 1.-TWO Bits" when in his heyday
lad served As umpire n the minors for !
some twenty years was the harvest the |
lnqusitive ones reaped.
1t didn't take long for the handful OF /
The faithful to get the right dope" on |
Bierhalter, and when he and Mike made !
their way to their official posts they
we're welcomed as cordially a $ the heat
and humidity permitted.
Two Bits insisted that before ne
esssyed 20 take command behind the !
plate he receive the regulation garb Of !
an umpire. Frank Stevens and Harry !
Safr were appointed : committee of !
TWO to break into the locker where the
umplres usually hang their clothes.
but they found nothing. SO Mr.. Bier
training costume, augmented by Truck |
Hannah's shin pads, protector and
mask 1.-TWO Bits" looked the part, but
no better Judge of balls and strikes
has ever stood before the screen at the
Polo Grounds than this same person. !
Nary kick was made during the
fifteen innings by the players. and
even the tickle fans we're unanimous
in the opinion that this follow 1.-TWO
Bits" was one of the seven wonders.
As for Mike Donlin, everybody knew 7
Nike, and despite the fact he was OBJ /
liged to make four or five close de-
cisicns on the bases again the vote
was unanimous that he had filled the
breach we'll. A few of the present
arbiters in the American League
might do we'll to take lesson or so
from 1.-TWO Bits" and Mike.
Pat O'Connor Also Stars
One more feature must be added to
the "sweltering" tale. Pat O'Connor
is the feature. In the course of the
long-wirded game Miller Higgins ran
out of catchers Walters started be-
hnd the bat and was succeeded by
Truck Hannah in the eighth. Truck !
made hit and Ward was sent in to
run for him
1t may be that Hug figured on win
nIng the game at this particular time,
but his calculations went astray, and
when the teams lined up for another
frame O'Connor donned the catching
regals. Not a base was stolen on Pat.
Fate attended tc that. Whenever
man started to steal, either the batter
MT the ball or walked.
80 the question as to whether Pat
could cut down q man at second was
ieit unanswered. On fouls Pat showed
|, Elmself most efficient. He nabbed two of
mem, and one was rather difficult
ny that went near the Yankee bench
before Pat is entirely dismis ssed from
consideration it should be mentioned
mat ne beat out hit down the third
osSe line in the eleventh and took
second on wild throw by Houck, tho
$. Louis pitcher.
Fat had received any assistance
,,'o'n ms mates he would have had the
nohor OF scoring the winning run that
never came.
Ihe Yankees scored the first run of
p me game in the fourth by reason of
afalIs double to right and Bodies /
sscr,hce fly to centre. They added /
a@nnoVher IN the fifth on singles by /
r1hhofmahlen, Lamar and Caldwell. /
me Browns tied the score in the
,sNth when Nunamakcr doubled to
"S .si as starter. Maisel was passed
ana Austin Tailed Nunamaker with
,gngle to left. Demmitt brought
.a Malse across the plate with a safety !
Inc Browns took the lead in the
eighth at the expense of Finneran, who
s gaa succeeded Thormahlen in the box /
a. ,Or tne Yanks after the latter had I
walked Maisel. Finneran gave Sisler
pass, and then the irrepressiblc Dem
ailI' came through with single to
nsat that scored both Maisel and Sis /
st sIt Lamar made perfect throw to
VI. ne plate. but Finneran intercepted it, |
".nefwlse Sisler might not have
counted
h.it me Yanks made one run in their
mall mall Of the eighth on singles by Cad-
seA' Pratt and Bodie, and tied the
u.e gofe IN the ninth on single by
hannah and q double by Gilhoolev