Clipping:The umpire charged with having a pecuniary interest
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
 |
| Add a Clipping |
| Date | Saturday, June 7, 1873 |
|---|---|
| Text | [Boston vs. Atlantic 6/2/1873] [bases loaded] O’Rourke then struck three times at the ball, and Barlow [catcher], letting the ball drop for a double play, after catching it, touched home-base and then sent the ball to first to put the striker out. But the umpire [Theodore Bomeisler] decided the striker out from a fair catch, and consequently no man out from being forced off. ... As Ferguson came in [at the end of the inning], instead of quietly acquiescing in the decision of the umpire, he began to question Mr. Bomeisler’s motive, calling out to the crowd, “We play ball for recreation, not for money.” The followed considered “chin music,” and eventually Mr. Bomeisler retired from the field, stating that he was not going “to submit to be insulted,” and he positively and properly refused to act longer. It was some time before they could get any one lese to serve, but finally Higham was induced to act in the position and the game went on. New York Clipper June 7, 1873 In commenting on the game of last Monday between the Atlantics and the Bostons, we took occasion to administer a merited rebuke to the Captain of the Atlantic nine for violating the rules of the game in disputing decisions of the umpire not marked by misinterpretations of the rules. This charge Ferguson, in a lengthy car, denies, but his letter fully sustains the charge we made. His imputations against the integrity of the Umpire are as unfair as they are unworthy of credence. We have heard the same against himself, but never believed them. However, they call for replies from the Umpire and Harry Wright, and to these gentlemen we leave the settlement of the question. Brooklyn Daily Eagle June 7, 1873 Mr. Ferguson must make out a case, but, he hurts himself not a little when he attacks Mr. Bomeisler, who is not now a betting man. Here is Mr. Ferguson’s story, which we give in justice to that gentleman: To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: [note: Eagle printed only a description of this letter, 6/7/73] In your comments upon the Atlantic and Boston game in the issue of June 3, you take occasion to animadvert severely upon my conduct during the game. I am charitable enough to think that these censures were made by a misunderstanding of the true facts of the case. I desire to stated in the first place that I did not dispute the decision of the umpire in regard to the play behind the bat, and it seems that it s upon this supposed action of mine that you censure me. Let me tell the true story: The first time Mr. Pearce went to the bat he struck a fair ball but the umpire pronounced it a foul I said nothing concerning this, supposing it to be an error of judgment. When Mr. Boyd was running down to the second base the ball was passed in from the field to Barnes, second base man of the Bostons, and Mr. Barnes failed to touch him. Bomeisler ... [one line cut off] ... “Bostons;” this is all I said, and he made ho reply; this is the only time that I questioned the decision of the umpire. But in the play behind the bat, in which many believe three men were put out, but which the umpire decided two only were put out, I made no dispute whatever as Mr. Wright, captain of Boston nine, can substantiate. We quietly waited for a third man to be declared out, and then came in from the field. Mr. Bomeisler then accosted me with– “You must get some one else to umpire.” I said: “I have nothing to do with it. Harry Wright chooses the umpire of this game.” He replied: “You must get another umpire.” Harry Wright then spoke up and said: “I will got no other umpire.” To which I replied: “You are obliged to get another umpire to play the game out, or let Mr. Bomeisler go on and umpire the game.” Mr. Bomeisler then began to follow me about the ground saying– “You played your point well; you tried to kill me as an umpire.” “Yes,” said I, “any one who umpires a game for money, I’ll try to kill them all,” for I have been informed by several who had come to me on the ground, that the umpire had bets on the game; this seemed evident to me from the decision he had rendered as I watched him very closely, because of the information I had received. This is a true story, and I certain am unjustly treated in thus being censured. I agree with you that umpires should be protected, for no one knows better than myself the onerous and unpleasant duties of that position. But, Mr. Editor, abuse is not protection, and before such unjust censure is given, the true facts of the case should be learned. As to my qualities as a ball player, you have a perfect right to judge; as to whether I am a good Captain, that is for the nine which elected me to decide. But I do protest against this abuse based upon a total misconception of the facts. I beg you will do me the justice to allow my side of the story to go before the public. Robert Ferguson, President, N.A.P.B.B.P., and Captain Atlantic Nine. All-Day City Item June 7, 1873 The Chicago of the week was the defeat of the Atlantics by the champions on Monday–5 to 0. Unfortunately a row occurred at this match which merits special notice. Ferguson says that he had reason to believe, from information given him that the umpire was pecuniarily interested in the result, and yet, with such knowledge in his possession, he accepted him as umpire. He also alleges that in a decision giving a player out the umpire erred in deciding him touched when he was not touched, and on this Ferguson, according to his card, charged him with partiality. At any rate, the decisions were questioned, and the umpire retired. Mr. Bomeisler should promptly meet this charge, or retire from the baseball fraternity. New York Sunday Mercury June 8, 1873 A SERIOUS CHARGE.–It has been openly charged that the Umpire in the Boston and Atlantic match of Monday was interested in pools on the Bostons to the extent of $1,000. Ferguson says that from hearsay he accepted him on purpose to trap him. If this is true, it relieves Ferguson from the onus of having violated the rules, and the Brooklyn paper has done him injustice. New York Sunday Mercury June 8, 1873 |
| Source | New York Clipper |
| Tags | |
| Warning | |
| Comment | Edit with form to add a comment |
| Query | Edit with form to add a query |
| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
Comments
<comments voting="Plus" />