The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-20

ing on the North End Thomas club protest of the Tribune A. c. 6-2 victory last Sunday which carried the 1888 championship of the City Amateur league with 1t, Patrick (Packy) Shea, manager of the Trib- une club, presents the Tribe side of the argument fl. a letter to the sports editor of the Democrat.
 By the same token, when and If the Thomas Club protest is settled, and should the protest be upheld, the Tribune club will not be fielded again, club officials, Coach Harry Melvin and Manager Shea have clearly indicated. However they feel that "any fair-minded protest com- mittee would have to rule in the Tribes favor," according to the let ter printed herewith.
 At a special meeting of league managers last night, Ray Fran, Sacred Heart manager for several years. recently named secretary of the league to succeed John Pilla, was voted into the prec-dency of the loop, succeeding Ed Fitzpatrick re- gently resigned. Mike Higgiston Brooklyn A. c. manager replaces Tram as secretary, Fran and Hig- giston winning out over George Casey and Johnny Rock Fram's vote broke 3-3 managerial tie for the secretary's post.
 Meet Tonight
 The scheduled trip to New York today to confer with National league umpires relative to the Thomas Club protest, was called of, with Q new protest board to be named to- night at o'clock in meeting al the Y. M. c. A.
 Manager Shea's letter including the Tribes position relative to tho protest game is as follows:
 152 East Liberty Street
 Waterbury, Connecticut
 August 18. 1038.
 To The Sports Editor;
 Dear Sir.
 Would you be kind enough tc grant us space in your paper 1T order to give the Tribune side O. the protest now pending in the City Amateur League.
 There are quite number O. angles to 1t and we will try to cx. plain the Tribune answer to tht protest. The ground rules of thu game in question were discussed with Umpire CoStaldo and the two coaches and captains of each side All agreed that they would be tho same as last week. When Umpire and Chief Stanton came on tho field, he asked Umpire Costaldt If the ground rules were the samt as the week before which resulted in n Thomas Club victory and Cos taldo said they were the same. Al no time of the season was the trunk of tree designating the two base hit territory mentioned. As the Tribune officials understood 1t, the trunk of the tree would decide a ground ball hit to the right of the tree trunk in right field, that is any ball hit to this point on the ground would be regarded as a two base hit. Any ball that hit the tree in question would be regarded as a two base hit.
 Any ball hit to the left of tho tree and not touching any part oi the tree would be regarded as 2 ball in play, and a player coulo advance as many bases as possible at his own risk. This rule hasn much bearing on the case because of the circumstances surrounding the play in question. The umpirc' had mutual agreement to work together on all plays. This means that If an umpire was not in posi- ton to see play clearly, he would then consult the other umpire ant their mutual decision would be con sidcrcd final.
 In this case Umpire Costaldo wa 1 standing on or near the foul line al 1 first base when the play in question took place When the ball was hit toward right field, Costaldo moved toward second base. which caused him to sec the flight of the ball at different angle every step he took toward 2nd base. On the other hand Umpire Stanton. from his po- sition behind the plate was able tC follow the flight of the ball in a straight line. thereby placing him in q much better position to rule whether or not tho ball landed in two base territory or not. Both um- pires ruled the ball two base hit After twenty minutes of wrangling the both umpircs stood pat on their decision. Both agreed that 1t was a two base hit and both understood the rules governing two base hit very clearly.
 Umpire Stanton testified at the special meeting called by President Fitzpatrick of the City Amateur League last Tuesday night. August 18th. 1888, that the ball was hit to the right of the tree and that it was therefore 9 two base hit. Umpire Costaldo, in letter to Secretary Fran. stated that he changed his mind and his decision of Sunday, and that he now believed that the ball had been hit to the left of the tree and was therefore n free ball. Umpire Stanton could not under stand Costados change of attitude, because Costaldo. at the time the play happened was vehement in his decision that the ball was hit in two base territory. He was heard to re- mark at the time to Stanton in these words: Bill, I thought the bali was an honest two base hit"
 As a matter of fact, the Trbuncs believed that the umpirc's decision in question has little or no bearing on the outcome of the score of this game. The game was not won due to this decision. Two runs were made in the inning in which this controversy took place, As the Tribunes made four (D other runs at different stages of the ball game, they alone would have been n mar gin of victory. The Tribuncs feel therefore, that they won the game lI.. l... zll Al.