On 13 May 1940, a rained-out game was rescheduled at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. However, National League president
Ford Frick forgot to assign umpires to the game. Umpire
Larry Goetz, who was ready to catch a train for his next assignment, was located and redirected to Crosley field. Because the game required three umpires, the Reds and Cardinals decided supply two assistant umpires, one from each team. Jimmy Wilson, a Cincinnati coach, umpired at first base, while Warneke took over at third base.