The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-14
/ HAVE JUST RECEIVED

4copy of the Umpire's Association
Record for the year 1939-1940,
and it gives some of the duties
of an umpire and all rules and
regulations for an Jump. This
booklet is published by Thomas
Mercer, Jr.
First of all it gives the quail
fications and says, First of all,
dignity and poise are more i'm
portant than knowledge of base
ball as qualifications for a pub
lie park and private diamond
umpire.
/ The ability required of base
ball umpires, it has been decid-
| ed, must be born in a man.
Mr.. Mercer, president of the
baseball umpires' association,
after spending "a years in select
| ing and developing umpires,
came to that conclusion long ago.
AS stated above first qualifica-
tions are dignity and poise, fol-
lowed by firmness. The jumps
knowledge of the game and its
rules is a secondary quality.
That can be acquired.
Must Impress His Power
'The most important function
of an umpire, declares Mercer,
sis to convey to the public the
moment he appears on the field
| the feeling that he is boss on the
field and that he will conduct the
affair in a satisfactory manner
for the fans as well as for the
players. Unquestionably that
faculty of inspiring confidence
must be born in man. 1t is
somewhat like natural leader
ship, that cannot be described,
but is always felt Enthusiastically.
Another quality is fearless
ness, a willingness to do what is
right and proper regardless of
the consequences. The one dam
ger is a tendency to be unduly
autocratic and officious. That is
just as Objectionable to the pub
lie as ignorance and indecision.
Best Jumps Never Played
The two greatest umpires of
all times, Bill KLEIN and Billy
Evans, never played baseball,
neither did Tom Sheridan or
Lynch of the older set. Most of
the ball players have failed be-
cause they have a knowledge of
the game but lack other quail
fications.
+, In most cities former ball play
ers are picked to umpire and
most have been failures because
they did not have poise and fear
lessness.
| Umpires must put snap and
energy into their work. Be on
top of every play. Never lose
sight of the ball. Use his best
! judgement about continuing a
game in bad weather, darkness
or for any other reason. Do not
permit a moderate shower or an
argument to stop it. Protect the
public by playing nine innings
or if time limit is set, be sure
Ito carry watch, "for you are
paid to see that the rules are
carried OUT. A game is requir-
ed to 60 five innings to count
in the standings, and wait full
80 minutes before calling a game
on account of rain. Keep "youl
watch properly regulated and
never start a game without hav-
/ ing a full understanding with
both captains about the ground
rules.
Announce Ground Rules
/ Announce all special ground
rules to the public, Mercer
writes. do not permit ground
rules that conflict with playing
rules. Hustle the game at al
times, urge the players to rur
to and from their positions be.
tween innings. When two clubs
agree. on a certain time to stor
la game, announce same to the
fans. Your decision on play
is absolutely final, when it come:
Ito judgement play, and the les.
Eyou explain and argue the bet
ter. An appeal can only be
made on question of interpreta.
ton of rules, and then only by
the captain of a club. Do not
under any circumstances, ust
profanity to players or specta.
tors. Maintain the dignity ano
lpoise of your position at al
times. Positively do not sit or
the bench of players of either
team, enforce discipline, and dc
mot criticise another umpire.
work.
| The general feeling among
ball players and fans is that any,
lone can umpire. Very few play.
ers and spectators give thought
to the Importance of umpiring Z
ball game. Nothing can mar 1
ball game quicker than incom.
lpetent umpiring. A decision rem,
dered incorrectly can change the
entire complexion of a ball game
| to the extent that all further in,