Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-12-28
Billy
EVANS
aAk
HIs TOUGHEST DECISION

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aAf
HIS TOUGHEST DECISION
The toughest. decision I ever made
came early I'm my career as a big
league umpire. To be more exact, it
happened inftfe very first inning of
the second world series game in which
/ ever offfciated That was the 1909
clash between the Pittsburgh Pirates
of the National league and the De-
troit Tigers OF the American.
Pittsburgh had taken the first game
of the series and was anxious to- as
sumo commanding lead by winning
the second battle, A crowd of $4,000
was on halds b record breaking gath
ering for the world series up to that
taxed to capacity.
Temporary stands had been erected
along the right field foul line from
just back of first base to the stands
that extended from center field to
the right field foul line.
It was agreed that a ball striking
fair. then. bounding into the stands
located on foul territory, should go
for two bases. This was to guard
against fluke home runs.
esF~*
1t was also agreed that a ball
bounding. into the stands in fair
territory, those that skirted the
Outfield from right to left, should
go as home run.
GREAT FIRST INNING
shall never forget the first inning
of that second game. I was the
umpire -in-chief, c calling balls and
strikes Bill Donovan, ace of the De-
troit staff, was doing the pitching
The Tigers confidently expected to
even up the series with wild Bill'
pitching.
bobby Byrne, the first man to face
Donovan, walked on four straight
balls. Tommy Leach doubled to right
on the hit and run, scoring Byrre.
It looked like rout for "Wild Bill
and the Tigers Fred Clarke moved
Leach to third on a sacrifice, bunting
to Donovan Ma
This brought the great Honus Wag-
ner, batting hero of the Pirates, to
the plate. He disappointed by strik-
ing out
The next batter was "Dots" Miller.
He hit long drive down the right
field foul line that looked for a time
as if it might clear the fence. The
ball struck just inside the foul line
in deep right, then bounded from
view. Leach scored on the hit and
Miller also made the circuit. The
fo 1~o1i q
home run.
I was in doubt as to what de-
cisiOn to make. I knew the ball
had struck fair just before it dis
appeared from view, but had no
definite idea as to whether it.
went into two-base territory or
was a sure enough home rum.
HAD FOOL INSPIRATION
T conferred with Bill KLEIN, who
was working the bases, but the ball
had disappeared SO quickly he was in
as much doubt as was as to the
correct ruling.
Fred Clarke, then manager of the
Pirates, insisted it was home run,
while Hughey Jennings, pilot of the
Tigers, argued long and loud for a.
two-base hit I wanted to do justice
to both clubs, but was up in the air
for a ruling, when I was seized with
what at the time seemed a fool in
spiratio11
/ rushed into deep right field to
where the ball had struck fair and
to open the argument said to the fans
seated in that sector:
"WaS the ball fair or foul?"
There was none but Pittsburgh
rooters in that section, it having been
reserved for the Rooters club of the
Pirates. In an instant hundreds of
voices were shouting:
"Fair ball by at least a foot"
- 4
1t was then up to me to learn
where the ball landed. None Of
the fans, knew that ground rule
had been agreed upon.
LEFT IT TO FANS (.
''Well, if it was fair, where did it
finally land?" I asked.
"It bounded into this stand" yelled
dozen fans in the two-base section.
Eyes, and I have the ball and I am
going to keep it," said one of the
spectators as he held the ball up to
view
Looks as if it was only a two
base hit, gentlemen" said to Man
MUTT AND JEF