Show seeing B ig league B A S B A L by BILLY EVANS sportswriter big 1 augu le 1119 U and nl genral general manager of the Clor veland indians indian making my debut as a world series gerlei umpire I 1 faced the biggest crowd la in the history of the annual clash up to that time it numbered about people some crowd way back in on account of the overflow crowd it was necessary to have ground rules temporary stands had bad been erected in front of the permanent ones along the right field line they extended over to the permanent stands that stretched across the outfield and joined them at a sharp angle just at the foul line ground rules were that ft a ball bit fair into the permanent seats peals was a home run and a ball hit fair into the temporary stands was good only for a two base hit it may sound to the render reader like a pretty fine distinction but about the only possibility of hitting a ball tai 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 for the toughest decision I 1 was ever called upon to make during my entire career I 1 think it was la in Pitts burghs halt half of the first inning that the decision in question came up however it makes little difference the point 1 Is that with a man on third base dots miller milor billor or pittsburgh ritts burgh second baseman hit bit a terrific arbe to right field I 1 was behind the plate bill klem klein worling working the bases the decision therefore was vp up to me it was apparent once the ball was hit that my work was cut out for me so I 1 watched its course quite carefully the pesky tiling thing arter after hitting the ground very close to the e 1 el fred dark clarke 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 it went into I 1 know it was so close to the foul line here was a dilemma good lord thinks 1 I what are you going to ca call 14 it a two bagger or a home run fred clarke pittsburgh manager came up what Is youre not going to call it a two base lilt lift are you and hughle 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 with klem nere here was a decision that simply had roe 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 way was a disgrace to myself and to baseball finally for no DO particular reason than to think I 1 started walking out toward right field the two managers hughle jennings tied find fred clarke following me the stands literally were rocking with demands for decision As A I 1 reared 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 pittsburgh loyal rooters hooters club A big banner was strung across the stands to that effect As I 1 approached they started shouting to me and almost the first words I 1 dasting distinguished gulshen were the very inspiration I 1 had bad been waiting for or hey youre not going to call that a foul are youl you are you blind of course I 1 even thinking of calling it a foul I 1 had find seen it strike fair put but 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 help wes it fair or foul fair i air they yelled as one man all right then where did it land tile the ball landed right here A burly rooter had bad stood up and was walk brandishing the ball 1 I caught it and here it Is just try and get it that makes it look like a two bag ter er tred fred I 1 said gald to clarke clarice one of your own rooters offers the proof ile he agreed and I 1 to lost A no time getting back and making my derision I 1 think was tile toughest de of certainly rione none ever iiii ih i h ln in so ill I 1 oter spot hobe ho I 1 linae 11 lit t 1 HI I the i xin ln 9 lui bill IP |