Tim Hurst/pagetext

From SABR Encyclopedia

Umpire Tim Hurst, of the defunct Southern League, has been signed by the Western Association. The Spirit of the South pays this official the following high compliment:

"The late Southern League season is notable in one respect, it introduced to the baseball world down in this direction the best umpire we have ever seen, Mr. Tim Hurst. He came unheralded from Pennsylvania, and gave such satisfaction that every city in the League clamored for his services whenever it was possible to obtain them. This is an unusual state of affairs. It is the first time we have ever known an umpire to give entire satisfaction. Mr. Hurst seems to have been born to fulfil the duties of an umpire. He is intelligent, honest, firm, quick and correct in his decisions. He gains the respect of the players at once and does not rely on fining to maintain it. He only fined on man during his career in the Southern League, and he was a friend - Ward of New Orleans."

Mr. Hurst must be a wonder to evoke such commendation. Indeed, the man that could give universal satisfaction in the South is a phenomenon. His work in the West will be closely watched, and if he sustains his Southern reputation he will sooner or later be called to a higher field. It is just such men the two major leagues are looking for. ^[1]