Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 135, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 June 1916 — EASIER FOR UMPIRES [ARTICLE]

EASIER FOR UMPIRES

Fans Do Not Ride Them as in Dark Ages of Baseball.

Attacking Arbiter Verbally and Bometimes Physically on Every Close Decision Was Deemed Prerogative of Players. The senseless pastime of umpire baiting is becoming a relic of the dark ages of baseball. In former years attacking the umpire verbally, and sometimes physically, on every close decision was considered the prerogative of managers and players, while many scribes alibied for their defeats by blaming the poor judge of play. That time passed long ago and intelligent players today realize that nothing is gained and much may be lost by getting into rows with the umpire, who is in full charge of the game on the field and is as essential to the pastime as the players themselves. Any fair man who knows the big league umpires will have to acknowledge that they are a fair-minded and conscientious set of men, anxious to do their duty to the best of their ability, playing no favorites and giving each decision as it comes up exactly as they see it. Umpires, as a rule, are much fairer than ball players. The latter will try to work every small advantage, will resent the slightest criticism of their work, no matter how well-founded it may be, and will alibi for themselves and one another in the boldest manner. Umpires, on the other hand, are, as a rule, very fair and willing to admit making a mistake. Their position is a difficult one. The umpire behind the plate, calling balls and strikes, as well as making all decisions at the plate and sometimes at third base, is called upon to render as many as 150 decisions in the course of a single game. The big majority of these he gives accurately. In proportion to the number of chances he has, his mistakes are much fewer than those of the ball players, who miss 6 or 10 per cent of their chances in the field and make errors of judgment at the bat.