The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-13

l on third base. Jake then disgustedly rolled the ball to the pitcher. Beckley, by the way was one or the first base runners to use me oio trick, of cutting across the aiamoho ,h | from second base to the plate With | out going to third. In the days when we had but one umpire runner often could get away with that pe- cause the umpire would be watchlns the batter or the ball. One day Jake cut the bases ana was caught at it. Notwithstanding that he had been caught red handed he actually raised-a big holler or pro- | test over the decision.
 Many funny things happen on the ball field that do not seem so tunny when written oh paper. I think man l must see them to appreciate now l ridiculous they are. For instance Lee King got into an argument with Chief Myers, the catcher. one day. and started punching at the Indian, who had on his mask. his chest pro- tector and his shin guards. Now there | Is what call a man taking the worst of 1t. Chief Myers got to | laughing so that he couldn't fight back. Even the umpire got to laugh | ing and let King go on and play without punishment.
 At Forbes field one afternoon. | Pitcher Fred Toney was put out ot the game by the umpire. He walked l over ito the bench and picked up pick and shovel. left there by the | groundkeeper. Very seriously he 1 walked straight across the diamond i with the tools on his shoulder. l We were playing game at Boston 1 with Bill Klem umpiring. and as the l score was going against us. we all started riding Klem by yelping at | him from the bench.
 | Why don't you call one right some time" one of our recruits yelled at Klem; just to see how 1t feels?"
 And They All R Had a To S Shore. | That was tho straw that broke the camels back. Klem. taking off his
 mask. walked right over to our l bench to see just who 1t was that had been doing so much kicking al his decisions-who were making wise l cracks.
 We all immediately pulled oul 1 caps down over our eyes, rested ouI
 chins on our chests and started snor-
 ing, pretending that we were asleep
 Sleep, are your" he snapped at us
 In that biting voice of his. "Al
 right, stay asleep then! The first | man on that bench who wakes UT will get put out of the game. That l goes, tool"
 We knew Klem we'll enough to l Know that ne would QO Just Wnd' he said. Our club had just got one run lead and for fear of having some of our best players put off we l had to sit there and pretend to be l asleep for the next two innings. Not soul of us dared look up, except when called to bat.
 That's one time an umpire put il l over on us.
 When I was a young player I was | little timid about talking to um-
 pires. simply because l couldn't think of anything to say,- as a rule
 Fred Clarke reminded me the other
 day of a run-in I had with Tin
 Hurst.
 There had been a close play al
 third base. where I was playing that
 day. Everybody ran in to make g
 kick and I decided to take a hand
 also. ran up to Hurst and was
 about to open my mouth when
 What are you doing shere?" he de. manded. Are you the captain oi
 this team?'
 No, sir" said. sort of taker
 back. "but I'm captain of third
 base"
 Hurst was good natured enough tc
 let me off with that.
 Tomorrow: All's Fair in Love and Baseball.