Clipping:Umpire behind the pitcher and the two umpire system
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| Date | Sunday, May 20, 1888 |
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| Text | [from Caylor’s letter] There is some talk just now of adopting the umpiring system of standing in the center of the diamond. I don’t think it will ever come into general use. It was tried before Gaffney gave it his sanction. Kelly made several attempts at it and in every case it proved unsatisfactory. The true system and that which is bound to come in time is the double system–one umpire to call balls and strikes and decisions at the home plate, and one just outside of the diamond to give base decisions. Kelly told me in Chicago last fall a year ago that he was satisfied it was the true system and would come into use. I don’t believe he has changed his opinion since that time. During the session of the joint rule committee at the Tremont House in Chicago not long afterward I had a talk with Charley Comiskey. He was urging the adoption of a rule providing for the double umpire policy. Said he to me after the committee had adjourned “I want to see that come to pass because I believe in base running. There is nothing so discouraging to a player or anything that will so soon break p his daring base running as to make a good slide into second base at the cost of skinned hands, torn uniform and the endangering of his limbs, and then to be called out by an umpire sixty or a hundred feet away, while the second baseman did not come within a foot of him. Cincinnati Commercial Gazette May 20, 1888 a pick off throw to the right fielder One of the cleverest tricks that have been played in an Association game this season was by McCarthy, the right fielder of the St. Louis Browns. It was in one of the Kansas City games, and the Cowboys had two men on the bases, and no one out. Big Jim Davis was at first and Barkley was at second. Comiskey was playing well off the bases, and Davis, feeling secure, took a strong lead toward second. McCarthy, as the scheme had been previously arranged, was signaled by the catcher to come in, and he quickly covered first base. When the pitcher returned to throw to McCarthy, Davis realized that he had been trapped and before he could recover from his surprise he was put out. Barkley, taking in the situation at a glance, started for third and was thrown out, thus allowing a double play to be worked. The next batter lined the ball out for two bases, which might easily have scored the two base runners. Cincinnati Commercial Gazette May 20, 1888 Arthur Whitney, the well-known third-baseman, is in a peculiar position. He is under reserve to the Pittsburg Club, which club will neither sign nor release him [N.B. Whitney was holding out for more money] and which substantially traded him to Detroit for pitcher Gruber and then repudiated its bargain. It appears that President Nimick, of Pittsburg, gave a written agreement to the Detroit directors to exchange on even terms. Detroit thereupon negotiated with Whitney. He wanted $2,500 for the season. Detroit offered him $2,100. Whitney agreed to the terms. Then Phillips came to Detroit and negotiated with Gruber. The colt wanted $2,000. Phillips was inclined to close everything when somebody told Phillips that Gruber had a lame arm, whereupon Phillips declared the deal off unless Detroit would pay a good round sum for Whitney, and returned to Pittsburg. Gruber, however, had no lame arm at all, and the Detroit directors were amazed at Pittsburg's action, and were at first inclined to sue Nimick for breach of contract or else lay the matter before the Board of Arbitration, but finally concluded to drop the matter. The unfortunate player, Whitney, however, who had in the meantime gone all the way to Detroit to report, was not icnlined to let the matter drop and have all his trouble for nothing, and has announced his intention of holding the Detroit Club to the payment of his salary. Whitney left Lowell for Detroit at the instance of the managers of that club, who paid his expenses. The Detroit management accepted his terms of $2,500 per year, and ordered him to report for duty. Whitney obeyed, and was then told he was not needed. He has reported for duty every day and claims his salary, and will bring suit if refused. When Mr. Nimick was informed of Whitneys' resolve and the ground he took he was considerably surprised. “That is a new point in base ball law,” said he. “I wonder if Whitney has any case? I suppose if he has it is through some of Watkins' fine work. The deal for the exchange of Whitney was simply this. We were to exchange Whitney for Gruber. We could not make terms with Gruber and it fell through. Then Detroit telegraphed here and wanted to know our cash price for Whitney. We answered $3,000, and since have had no work with them.” While the New Yorks were in Pittsburg last wee Ward, of the Brotherhood, was quiestioned as to Whitney's claim. Said he:--”White is an innocent party, and the law, if he cares to invoke it,w ill compel the Detroit Club to carry out its contract. The National Agreement, of which the reserve rule is a part, will not hold in law, and when the Michigan club offered him $2,500 unconditionally, and he accepted the same way, the player can hold the club for the salary offered, especially if he reports for duty, as has Whitney.” The Detroit Club may be able to redress its complaint against Pittsburg, but certainly Whitney has a equitable claim against the Detroits for $2,500. Mr. Whitney is not a member of our Brotherhood, and we can take no action in the matter. Just the same, he is a ball player and our interests are in common.” A prominent Pittsburg lawyer, who is somewhat a base ball enthusiast, said Friday concerning the Whitney contract:--”Whitney's contract, if such a thing exists with Detroit, was condition, and Whitney went to Detroit knowing that fact, as he is a aware of the National Agreement, [illegible] is governed by certain rules, regulations and by-laws. He knew, or ought to have known, all these regulations, and he further knew, as a member of the League, that he could not make a valid contract with Detroit until his contract with Pittsburg was legally terminated by an unconditional release. There is but little doubt that all ball players in the League are subject and must be governed by the rules, regulations and by-laws of the organization which are reasonable and not against public policy or do not infringe upon a personal right. Mr. Whitney entered the League fully cognizant of all these facts, and must therefore be considered as having accepted all the conditions imposed thereby. Whitney, therefore, cannot legally make a contract with Detroit.” The Sporting Life May 23, 1888 [from the Haverhill correspondent] Mr. Whitney claims that he has been the victim of a conspiracy; that he is prevented from engaging in his profession, and, in other words, that the Pittsburg management have boycotted him, and he proposes to sue them for damages, and in the judgment of the best lawyers in this section he has a very good case. Base ball laws are notoriously not good laws... The Sporting Life June 6, 1888 [N.B. Whitney subsequently was traded to and signed with New York.] |
| Source | Cincinnati Commercial Gazette |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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