Show seeing big league by BILLY EVANS sportswriter big league umpire and general ta manader of the cle clevland Clev eland dand as making my debut us a world series erles umpire I 1 faced t the lie biggest crowd in tile history of tile annual clash up to that t time me it numbered about people colue crowd way tack back in 31 on account of the overflow crowd it wit was a necessary to have ground rules horary stands hat had been erected in front or of the permanent ones one s along the right field line thoy they extended tend ed over to the permanent stands that stretched r ached across aaros s the outfield and joined them at a sharp angle just at the foul line ground rules were that a liall ball lilt lift fair into the permanent seats wits was a home run and a bull ball hit fair into the temporary stands was good only for a two base lilt lift it may sound to the reader like a pretty fine distinction but about the only possibility of bitting a ball fair into the stands to the right of the foul line lay in its striking fair in the outfield and bounding in the stage was all set bet for the toughest decision I 1 was ever called upon to make during my entire career I 1 think it was in Pitts ritts burghs half of the first inning that the decision in question came up however it makes little difference the point Is that with ft a roan man on third base dots miller pittsburgh second baseman hit a terrific drive to right field I 1 was vas be hind the plate bill klem working the bases the decision therefore was up to me it wits was apparent once the ball was hit that my work was c cut ut out tor for me so I 1 watched its co couise u arse quite carefully the pesky thing after hitting the ground very close to the A al Z fred dark clark foul line bounced high into the air and disappeared into the stands where it was caught and pocketed by a souvenir hunting bunting rooter which stand st nd it went into I 1 know it was so close to the foul line here was a dilemma good lord thinks I 1 what are you ou going to call it a two bagger or a home run ired fred clarley pittsburgh manager came up what la Is youre riot not go ing to call it a two base lilt are you sou i and jennings and a group of his tigers came to me protesting vehemently that it was not a home run get away all of you I 1 shouted until I 1 talk it over oer with kith klein clero here was a deci decision that simply had me buffaloed buffaloes buff I 1 needed time to think it over time to confer with klem before I 1 could give anything that looked like an intelligent ruling I 1 felt that I 1 was a disgrace to myself and to baseball finally for no particular reason than to think I 1 started walking out toward right held field the two mi managers magers hughle jennings and fred clarke following me the stands literally were rocking with demands for decision As I 1 neared the extreme limits of right field I 1 could see I 1 was approaching that section in the temporary stands that was occupied by the iltis burgh loyal rooters hooters club A big banner was strung across the stands to that eliat effect As I 1 approached they started shouting to me and almost the first words I 1 distinguished were e the very inspiration I 1 had been waiting for I 1 illey hey youre not going to call that a foul are you are you blind of course I 1 even thinking ot of calling it a foul I 1 had seen it strike fair iut I 1 let on what was in my mind 1 I dont know I 1 answered ill have to rely on you for a little h help e lp was it fair or foul cairl they yelled as one man all right then where did it land the ball landtr right here A burly rooter had stood up and wn waa q brandishing the ball 1 I caught it and here it Is just try and get it that makes it look like it a two bag yer ver fred I 1 said to clarke Clar lse one of lour bour own st offers the proof ile he agreed anti anil I 1 lost no time bettl getting ng back ard and making my decision that I 1 think was the toughest de cl caslon slon of my career certainly none ever came in a tougher spot maybe I 1 adv hat had others 0 occasionally cc a nally that at the timo were cie equally as perplexing but not in such tin nn important game 0 by th clr 13 bell 1311 11 ardle te inc ic |