Clipping:A critique of the umpire behind the pitcher; umpire looking over the catcher's shoulder

From Protoball
Jump to navigation Jump to search
19C Clippings
Scroll.png


Add a Clipping
Date Wednesday, September 4, 1889
Text

[from Joe Pritchard's column] On more occasions than one during the present season have I noticed the fact that umpires who make their decisions from a position behind the pitcher are a source of considerable annoyance to the man who fills the hardest position on a team. In last Tuesday's game, while Stivetts was in the box and Milligan was up behind the bat, the former was given the “cue” two or three times to throw to second to catch a base-runner, but owing the the presence of the umpire between the pitcher and second Stivets was forced to hold the ball, as the base-runner was able to get back to second during the time consumed by Goldsmith in attempting to get out of the pitcher's way. Team work should not receive a black eye from the position occupied by the umpire, and I know it would be more satisfactory to all pitcher for umpires to return to their position behind the plate just as soon as second is reached by the runner. The proper position of the umpire is behind the plate, as he cant hen know just what is is doing on balls and strikes. Gaffney's position is the only correct one. He stands up close enough to the catcher to be able to look over his shoulder, and his position commands full view of the plate. He can tell beyond a doubt whether the pitcher is entitled to a strike or the batsman to a ball. Gaffney's position is certainly more dangerous than the other umpires' but he is well protected by several pasteboard patents, and is seldom injured.

Source Sporting Life
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" />