Clipping:Umpire intimidation

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Date Sunday, October 7, 1860
Text

[Constellation vs. Oriental] At the close of the seventh inning, our captain waited upon the umpire, and wished him to call the game, as it was nearly night; but the outside crowd of the Orientals (the game was played on their ground), having a moneyed interest in the game, would not permit him to do so, as we were four ahead. He therefore ordered us to play the eighth inning, which we did, finishing it at a quarter to seven o’clock (two ahead)–a time of night in the latter part of August which you will admit, Messrs. Editors, was rather dark to bat or field.

The umpire would then have called the game; but the outside Orientals again interfered, and playfully threatened to “punch his head” if he did so. Not having force enough to protect him in his duty, and the Orientals evincing no intention or desire of so doing, our captain called us from the field. No decision was given by the umpire at that time, nor has there been any given by him at all. Believing we were justified in leaving the field where the umpire was not permitted to give an honest and impartial decision, we claimed the ball.

...

In all cases, it is the duty of the umpire to decide the result of the match before leaving the ground. This will prevent all dispute. The umpire is the judge whether it is too dark to continue the game or not–and he should have so stated. Had he called upon the parties to proceed with the game [...illegible...] would undoubtedly have to acknowledge defeat. As no decision to the contrary seems to have been given by the umpire, in this case, the party having the greatest number of runs at the stoppage of the game should be regarded as the victor.

Source New York Sunday Mercury
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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