Page:America's National Game (1911).djvu/449

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AMERICA'S NATIONAL GAME
417

"Oh, get out; we've got some rights, too," derisively shouted someone. "I paid $3 for this seat," yelled another, "and I want to see something." And then a refrain went up from the throats of thousands: "Too much Johnson," "Too much Johnson," "Too much Johnson."

Suddenly a hush fell upon the great assemblage. The umpire was approaching the stand. The camera man turned, saw hope in the man of the indicator, and shouted out to him a repetition of his claim that he had permission of President Johnson, of the American League, to make his snap-shots.

"Time is up," called the umpire. " I am about to call the game. You'll have to get out." And he got.

I was seated near President Johnson. I had seen him arise as if to corroborate the claim of the artist, but upon the appearance of the umpire, and hearing his fiat of authority, the great Ban Johnson, blushing like a schoolgirl, took his seat, while thousands upon thousands cheered the verdict of the man in temporary but absolute control of the game.

This chapter would be incomplete without reference to the honor that has recently come to a National League umpire in his selection to the presidency of the National League and, by virtue of that office, to membership on the National Commission, the Supreme Court of arbitration in Base Ball.

Thomas J. Lynch, of New Britain, Conn., is the man thus honored. He is 52 years of age and served as umpire for eleven years, part of the time for the Eastern League,