The Wilmington morning star., 1946-05-07
Edward Sachs
Morning Watch
The Men In Blue

dunking itself in the sea of organized baseball MsonatiirOas
we think We should be writing for True Confession instead
Of sports-the umpires OF the league assembled in city hall
10 hear words Of wisdom from the man who has sent over
30 per cent OF all major league umpires to the big leagues.
He is William "Bilr Carpenter of the Nationa, Asso-
dation of Baseball leagues. Bill, a short, elderly man has
been an umpire in both the American and National leagues
and has officiated in most of our top minor league circuits.
Speaking yesterday to the umpires of the Tobacco
State league, Bill ran through the rule book and pointed out
shefed the circuits men in blue on baseball law. Bill also stressed
the other side Of being a baseball umpire. rs not a job for a man
si. hustle, you won't have any trouble ~A- ~ 90 "'"
he ss T7 Wri nssaE Eisla d. W W h Msw x wsta eIan 4so st 4bs nnH Beans = Rr aSsTaoa at; a
his nose right under George Magerkurths coat lapel and tel the
t,5s S to aet eus get W to his n des ss9sa e0 @ Wa t have best siw m9ae eo of tssps au:6
Ssn nsd"S Carpenter tell the umpire s" to Always ' vs. be- ns's senfle sn en- Wo' be
honest and to keep basebalIs reputation on its acknowledged high
"do something for the umpire" de wants to raise the caiiber Of
men calling lin balls ALL and =, = strikes isssa and he is touring North st Carolina to
Six leagues made up ofNorth Carolina teams will play in orsaniz-
make a visit to our state. ~
It's not easy. Carpenter was calling them in the big leagues when
such such gent gsptl9 naw ro a ) nsvf H. si js py It m MEANS ss e geune n man. na0 yet M me- bas
taken to the roads and 1nI by bus and train is visiting baseball al Leagues
want to repay baseball"
What advise would Carpenter give a young man who wanted
10 ss, sSu1i maghsn' s sd the b sGfia rl aTe s sf m a nssm ss y i9 1s esa. Hse a
start calling them in sandlot games. Work up to high school and
college and then get a job with a Class D league. Take your time
and, and don't 10 d push ge sn 6 i:, You cav a. 60 (, q r. s s;ssssno: and md 4 sss extra
full or a unsuccessful baseball career.'
What does a baseball league look for when they hire a baseball
umpire? He must be intelligent and have led a spoless private life.
We check his private life, his standing in his community and his
reputation in business. Then we interview him to e what physical
shape he is in. Not everyone has that combination of qualities that
makes for a good baseball umpire. If the applicant has what it takes,
he cal have n finer life o career than that of a baseball umpire"
Carpenter stressed at the meeting that in calling balls and
strikes, an umpire must call a strike if the ball passes between the
shoulder and knee not from below the knee cap to above the
shoulder. "a smart pitcher will throw a lot of low balls when he
is pitching under the lights Carpenter said. make him get those
pitches up above the knee" r-
We met the six young men who will call them in the league this
season and frankly We felt like we were interviewing a death cell
crew. Not that they seemed in poor spirits but for so long we have
viewed a baseball umpire a S the lowest of plant life. After meeting
the staff and Bill Carpenter we are taking a new vow. The umpire
gets paid to call them, he is in a better position than we to ZEE the
pitches break-so from now 0 we'll let him do his job without our
vocal heckling.