Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 178, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1910 — POSITION OF THE UMPIRE NO LONGER DANGEROUS [ARTICLE]

POSITION OF THE UMPIRE NO LONGER DANGEROUS

RETIREMENT OF JACK SHERIDAN CALLS TO MIND IMPROVEx MENT OF GAME. John F. Sheridan, the oldest umpire in point of service in baseball, has laid down the indicator and quit the business, unless a plan among his friends to make him chief of umpires in the American league is carried out. He has an undertaking establishment in San Jose, Cal. Maybe he intends to give his attention to “dead ones” hereafter. He didn’t find may- this year in the American league. The retirement of Sheridan, if indeed he quits for good, reminds us that umpiring under existing conditions in baseball has been - made an ideal position. There was a time, and it was not so many years ago, when it was not an easy matter to find a man willing to asgume the duties at any price. Today there are hundreds of applicants for every position, because the Work is easy now, where it was once a dangerous undertaking. One thing that the strict discipline now in vogue on the ball field has proved is that the game has not suffered by the inauguration of rules which give the umpire complete control of the players. When steps were taken In this direction, years ago, the cry went up that baseball was being killed, that the public wanted to see the players fight on the field, &nd to prevent* thfese scenes would be to rob the game of its most delightful feature. Subsequent results nave shown the falacy of this theory, for base ball today is a more popular sport than ever before, and. is catering to a much better class of patrons. In many cities the game is furnishing the principal summer entertainment for the gentler sex, which in itself is a wonderful achievement. All of the big cities have a splendid attendance of the fair sex, which has learned the game and is its most loyal supported. The elimination of rowdyism has brought about this most encouraging condition. Fielder Jones, who at present resides in Portland, Ore., has signed to play center field for the Chehalis team of the Washington State league. Jones was manager and star player of the Chicago White Sox, and ending his work in the big league by declining an offer of 210,000 a year. Some time since he went to the northwest to look after his timber investments and to take a rest. With the Chehalis team he can play three games a week and have ample time for recreation and attending to his business. Eugene Moore, Pirate pitcher, has been sent to the New Britain club of the Connecticut league. He was sacrificed in order that Cleon Webb might be saved. Webb was sent to that team in the first place, but Grand Rapids, Webb’s old stamping grounds, howled and Webb was recalled. New Britain had to be appeased and Moore was sent there. He can be recalled. Webb may be sent to a class A team, where he, too, can be recalled if necessary. Webb won seven games in a rowi and was the sensation of the Connecticut circuit “Chief” Cadreau, the Chippewa Indian on the pitching staff of the Minot (N. D.) team, has established a new record for sheer endurance, even for an Indian. Several weeks ago he was hit by a pitched ball, since which time his pitching arm has caused him more or less annoyance, and he has complained 6f severe pain whenever he found it necessary to work in the box. Recently he pitched against Fessenden, but had to be taken out of the game. He was taken to a surgeon and the X-ray apparatus revealed the fact that his arm was broken. Cobb declares, that left-handed batters can solve the sharp-breaking curve thrown by left-handed pitchers —a curve that is too much for most of them—by crowding in to the plate, stepping forward on the ball, and spearing it before it breaks. This, he says, is a comparatively easy thing with only a little practise. Most lefthanded batters, Ty says, have grown accustomed to Imagining themselves buffaloed by the port-side pitchers, and fall feebly from afar when that curve comes over. By crowding boldly inward they can get busy with the ball, and will soon find themselves making all kinds of hits off the delivery that has so long confoozled them. Manager Patsy Donovan of the Boston “Speed Boys,” says: “In Speaker, Hooper and Duffy Lewis, I have the best set of throwing outfielders —in the game today. Every one of them has an arm of steel and can peg true and far. My team is not only the youngest in the league, but will be a far better outfit next season. Lewis has played good ball and hit hard since the season began. He is coming better every day. It is usually discouraging for a young ball player breaking into the league, as he doesn’t always have the best of confldeuee in himself. However, this fellow is overcoming that and will be a great ball player before long.” Some good old veterans do get Into the minor league scores these days. Malachl Kittridge is catching for Elgin; Danny Green and Phil Geier are with Burlington; Eberts of Hannibal must be thirty-seven years old; Nadeau of Joliet was a star in the. New England league nearly 20 years ago, and there are many others.