Page:America's National Game (1911).djvu/197

 "Technically, if for no other reason, he was wrong; but as a matter of policy he was right; for if he had decided otherwise than as he did there would have been a riot, and somebody would have got a sore head."

Upon mature reflection, I am convinced that the decision of Umpire Ellis in this instance was right from every standpoint; for, as umpire, it was his duty to see that the spirit as well as the letter of the law was observed, and this was a clear case where the letter of the rule had been followed but the spirit violated. Umpire Ellis' decision in this case was absolutely correct under the circumstances, for there are times in Base Ball games when an umpire is justified in going outside the rules to preserve fair play and make secure the dignity of the sport.

This incident is narrated, not so much on account of the interest attaching to it, as to indicate how the evolution of the game of Base Ball, from its crude form in the earlier days to its present degree of perfection, has been largely wrought through observation and experience of incongruous rules by players themselves.

The season of 1873 saw nine clubs entered for the championship. Only eight, however, were accorded a place at the close. Boston again won the first honor, with other clubs following in this order: Philadelphias, Marylands, Athletics, Mutuals, Atlantics, Washingtons, and Resolutes, of New Jersey. In this year Adrian C. Anson, who had heretofore played with the Forest Citys, of Rockford, and Tim Murnane appeared in the Athletic nine.

In 1874 a new rule for the playing of Base Ball was