FUN ON THE FIELD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, 10 January 1912, Page 2

FUN ON THE FIELD.

AMUSING STORIES OF UMPIRES.'

The umpire is not always as impartial and just as he is supposed to be, even in important matches. A recent writer of great authority on the summer pastime records that he well recollects a match, where the umpire was no less celebrated a person than Fuller Pilch, probably the finest erjeketer of his day. A batsman got his foot, or rather leg, as clearly before the wicket as could be; but when appealed to quite confidently by the field, Pilch gave the batsman “not out’’ to the perfect amazement of overbody. Later on lie was spoken to about the matter, but, smiling blandly at his objectors he said: “Well, y° u see, I have hoard such a lot about the young man’s Dating, and I had never had the chance of seeing him play before.” ... r I . A well-known Yorkshire player tells a story of a gentleman whose son also has played several, times for the county. It was at Hull, where the incident occurred, and the old gentleman was umpiring in an important match where rivalry ran very high. He was appealed to for a catch at the wicket, but to the bowler’s intense astonishment replied: “Not out, and what is more, I’ll bet you half a crown your side loses.” Not only was the bet declined, but the old gentleman was at once relieved from further duty on that occasion. His readiness to bet upon the success _pf the .side he favoured, whilst strikingly characteristic of his birthplace, could not by any means be regarded as a great point in his favour as an imnartil umpire.

Fell Fast Asleep There are at least two clearly recorded instances where the umpire has been really 'and literally asleep during ah important cricket match. Probably the warm weather may have had something to do with : it, but the fact remains anyhow. One was at Rochdale as far back as 1858, when Butress, a well-known umpire of the day, was officiating. A ball, going at a terrific pace, sped towards him, and everybody was surprised to see him make no preparations for getting out of its way. It struck him full in the stomach, and gave him a nasty blow. When spoken to later on about the matter, and asked why lie did not move when ho saw it coming he said: “I didn’t see it for I was fast asleep!” The Yorkshire team once went to Hereford to play a match, which was to have Guy, of Nottingham, as one of its umpires. But when all was ready there was.no Guy on the ground, and it was some time before he turned up. When ha did so he explained, amid general laughter, that he had fallen asleep in the train at Birmingham, and that the carriage that he had occupied had been shunted into a siding there. Here he had slept all night and well into the next day, until when he awoke he suddenly remembered the match at Hereford would be waiting fr- his appearance. Absent-minded. Spfeaking of the West of England reminds the Writer, of a match which was played’ in Shropshire 'some yearsago, when the ’ teams found thijit there was an umpire wanting 'after their arrival at; the village 1 green. As there was ’ only 1 one grown up man present as a spectator wheri the match was ready to >commencej ! that personwas - asked to 11 perfornt the ' simple duties''of Umpire. laying that he scai-cojy knew the game,' he agreed, after some pressing to officiate. He got along fairly well until it struck one of the fielders that the batsmen were too fond of getting their legs in 1 front 1 of -• balls'<likely °to hit ‘the wicket. So he inquired of this umpire if a certain batsman was not “leg before wicket.” The pmpire regarded the querist pityingly, as he replied, “Of course hisv legs’ i 'before wicket I How; could he hat if behind it! Dpn’t ,b&<trying tO" 1 have l me 1 old' boy.”, • ; -.-aiioi a nil There is a tradition at a well-known Surrey cricket ground of an umpire who was not seen after luncheon, nor could he be found by those eager sportsmen who- set ;:out in search of him. It was subsequently discovered that the defaulter had forgotten, after taking a walk across the ground after lunch, that 1 the match was notover,, and had walked home, The men seeking him met him sheepishly returning, and they had no small amusement later on' at his expense. Bribing the Umpire. Perhaps the most amusing stories of umpires is one told about a match on the village green where local rivalry ran high. A butcher of the village came into bat, and before he began was seen to whisper in the umpire’s ear. “Don’t thee give me out afore I’ve got four, old chap, and there a quid for for thee,” said lie. The umpire laughed and said jokingly, “All right.” The first ball the man had, was appealed for by the wicket-keeper for a catch, but was disallowed, to the batsman’s evident pleasure, who thought the umpire was indeed with him. The next ball he hit for four, and, as it was thrown in smartly, it hit the wicket ; but the batsman was quite in his ground. Nevertheless he made tracks for the tent immediately. / “Here!” said the umpire, as he was passing, “You’re not out.” “I know it, lad,” said the other, “but dosen’t tha see? I Let old Billy Jones on th’ other side, a five-pound note I’d get four, and tha can bet I’m after that five pounds afore Billy goes away!” And lie went. Whether that umpire got his “quid” or not history doth hot record.