Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-02

! ~ Otner 0anQ, players nave used In its
stead the old alibi. All ball players
love their base hits. It is the foundation of
Eheir livelihood. They hate to be called out on
strikes or lose close decision at first base that
might have been credited as a base knock
The good hitters and the weak alike step up
% the old pan, take q couple of balls foul
couple, then stand there with their gun ON
their shoulder while pitched ball breezes over
the plate for perfect third strike. Eyer outl'
goes up the cry Of the umpire Instantly the
batsman SnarlS, gives the umpire a black look
and kicks up the dust as he starts that long,
long journey back to the bench.
That ball was foot outside he tells the
manager as he dips for a drink from the
water faucet. In his heart he knows the ball
was down the alley" somehow or other but
1t is the nature Of a ball player to altbi in
such cases. It has been done so many times
that 1t seems to come by instinct.
Take, for instance, the batter who has hit q
grounder to deep short He hustles away from
the plate, hoping that he can beat the fielderS
peg to the bag. He puts his all into that dash.
An in1eld hit means as much in the records as
drive against the fence. On close plays at
first base the umpire is all set for decision.
The ball arrives fraction Of a second ahead
OF the runner. Taking his last step for the
bag, he viii often yell at the top of his voice,
mo! mol Mol" meaning that the ball did
not beat him. eyer outl" from the umpire.
Then the fun starts on the bench. The run
ner's teammates take up his fight for him.
y
called one right for month" Or one Of the
jockeys will hand the umpire this one: Get
out your cup and dog and I'll get you a pair Of
sun glasses. AS an umpire you are perfect
blind man."
Umpires are not always correct in their de-
cisions. Neither are all the ball players using
the umpire as an alibi. There are any num-
Der Of players in the American and National
Leagues who register protests on decisions only
when they feel they have a kick coming
vuo0
bears down and watches most is the fellow who
viii handshake, josh and kid before game or
when everything is going smoothly, but when
the old pinch comes, the tight spot he will
pulling the alibi
There is one player on the AS for whom
have great deal Of respect His honesty in q
tough situation once saved my neck from the
angry mob. Yes, sir, III take Joe Boley's word
any time. And that goes for the pinches, too
The Baltimore Orioles, led by the late Jack
Dunn, won seven straight pennants in the In
Eernational League. Joe Boley held down short
stop in all seven seasons.
I umpired five years in that circuit I win
never forget the 1921 season. The Orioles
closed the year with IS consecutive victories.
Prior to this string Of wins they were going
great guns, winning about 8 out Of every 10
games Jack Dunn loved to win. He would
have been glad If his team won every game on
the schedule, despite the fact that attendance
ut his park was decreasing with every victory
scored by his team. The Buffalo club led by
George Wiltse, old Giant pitcher and first base
man, was playing q Sunday date at Oriole
Park. The home team held 3-to-2 lead when
Buffalo came In for its last turn at bat
With one out Gilhooley, Heating and Sheri-
dan filled the bases with q walk and two In
held singles. The Baltimore infielS played IN
in hopes Of cutting OF the run at the plate
Ed Barney Slashed q wicked drive between
third base and shortstop. It appeared to be q
sure hit. Fritz Maisel lunged for the BAN but
could not reach it. Joe Boley, with q sensa-
tonal dive and . back-handed stab, smoth-
cred the ball and fell to the ground. He arose
and tossed the ball to MaiSel at third as the
runner had gone In when the ball was hit
Maisel stepped on third, completing what he
thought was double play; the players Of
both teams started for the club house think
ing the game over. The fans had been po,r-
ing out Of the grounds
When the bali hit Boley's glove and he fen
70 the ground, his body covered from sight the