The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-08
Why Not sixn Aiternate,,

Why Not Sign Alternatesf
 have studied about this mat ter good deal of late, owing to Birmingham's affliction of being cursed with too many player umpires. And, I've doped out plan that I think Is worthy of Boss Martins consideration, plan which will keep the league on the high plane that 1t de- serves. and one that will at the same time fit apprentice-u -umpires so that they may take regular job in the league later on, when they become well enough versed in the game to handle the indicator by their lonesome.
 The plan is simply this: Ap- point an alternate umpire to be at the park every day. and to work in case of an emergency. Every town in the league has . city league. In city league ranks there are umpires who work the Saturday games. Always there are one or two umpires who stand out above the others when it comes to efficiency and knowi- edge of the game. These men should be the ones appointed to act as substitute umpires when an emergency arrives. In this way the system of having a player from each team umpire would be abolished and the game would be saved much criticism.
 A natural criticism of this plan would be that the league couldn't afford to have one or two men on hand during every game at each park-the payroll would run too high.
 Not so. These men could be procured at exactly the sum the players get when they umpire.
 
 Pass and Promotion Reward
 I venture to say. that there are two men In every town-two men who know baseball, and who know how to umpire--who would be willing to be on hand at every game for a pass. and for an op- portunity of gaining prestige in the profession and better working knowledge of the game.
 If Boss Martin would appoint two alternates in each town. give 'em a pass to each game, and a promise that he would eventual ly put them on his staff or recommend them to some other league, if their work eventually proves meritorious, l know he would have no trouble in getting the men, and I also know that 1t would be an improvement over the umpiring we've been forced to look at in Birmingham this sum- mer, when the regularly assigned umpire failed to show up.
 It is worth trying to say the least, and the league directors would make no mistake if they submitted such a suggestion to the leagues executive at the win ter meeting.
 Dan Should Make Good
 In the pioneer days Daniel Boone was great hindrance to the Indians. He used to pick lem off with his rifle just for the fun of the thing.
 In this modern day Daniel Boone Is supposed to- be a big help to the Indians.
  has been on the payroll of the Chattanooga club this year has been sold to the Cleveland In- dians and he will be given every chance to make good. Alabama sent Luke and Joe Seweh to the Indians and Reggie Stephenson, and all three made good. Natural ly Iris Speaker now views any thing that comes to his club, who formerly played with the Uni- versity of Alabama, as major league caliber. So, therefore, Dan will be given full oppor- tunity to make good. Given this opportunity he will deliver.
 His first year out he was a star for the Atlanta club. He helped the Crackers win pen- nant and that fall he was sold to the Athletics. Daniel was green. country boy when he got up there and the quick rise dazed him. The next summer he was sent back to Atlanta. Then he was traded to Chattanooga near the end of last season, and later sold to the Detroit Americans.
 He never got to report to the Tigers, Nicklin reporting ad- versely on him, and seeking to hold him for this year. Dan never did appreciate that idea, but re- gardless of the fact that he was disgruntled over serving another year with . rotten ball club. he didn't let this hurt his pitching. He won II games and lost but, ' with tail-end ball club and~ then he was called higher. He has always had the natural abil- ity. and three years service in Class A company now gives him the experience necessary to make him winner in the American league.
 The Logical Answer
 Claude Wilson. the idol of Bir- mingham boxing fans. is to meet Little Jeff. claimant of the