Base Ball Has Been Ly There Are Many Players Who Do Not Even, Unearthed by Mr
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^iP>liii^iWi Vol. 56-No. 24 Philadelphia, February 18, 1911 Price 5 Cents A Regrettable Condition Is Revealed by the Fact That The National Commission Has Called Upon the Secretary of The National Asso ciation to Explain Why Hundreds of Players Are on Ineligible List. INCINNATI, O., February 13. A aot hay« to stand for the punishment which. condition in the minor leagues not is often meted out to them. But unfortunate creditable to base ball has been ly there are many players who do not even, unearthed by Mr. A. J. Flanner, the know the playing rules, let alone the laws un new Assistant-Secretary of the Na der which base ball is conducted. Ball play tional Commission. As a result of ers, when suspended, whether major or minor his delvings into the records, Sec leaguers, have the right to appeal their cases retary Farrell, of the National Association, to the National Commission, yet there are has been asked why more than 400 "ball play comparatively few who avail themselves of ers are carried on the ineligible list of the this privilege. Today there are believed to National Association by clubs" of the various be something like 450 minor league players minor leagues! Chairman Herrina«n, of the on the blacklist, thus being prevented from National Commission, has asked Secretary making a livelihood at their chosen profession. Farrell, of the National Association, to investi It is safe to say that a large percentage of gate and furnish the National Commission these players is being unjustly kept under with the reason for the existence of such an the ban, and it is the Commission©s intention extensive army of ineligible players. The to investigate these cases. Commission wants to know the oft©ense for CHAIRMAN HERRMANN©S LETTER. which each player was suspended, the date of the suspension and the status of the play Chairman Herrmann©s letter to Secretary er when declared ineligible. The Commission Farrell on the subject is self-explanatory and also wants to know ©whether each player was is herewith given in. full: a member of the club which .suspended him "The aggregate number of suspended pl»jeri carried when he was suspended; whether his ser on the final reserve list of the National Association vices were purchased or if he was a free for 1911 is 453, * approximately 30 per cent., or nearly one-third of whom are controlled by crabs whion agent when he became entangled in the have five or more players under the ban of inellgibllity. uieshes of organized base ball; whether he In one instance the suspensions exceed 20, the maxi was under contract to the club which sus mum number of eligible players thut © Section 2 pended him or was tricked into suspension of Article 20 of the National Association agreement by the ©©terms accepted©© route and merely, permits a club to retain by reservation (exclusive of i©ailed to report. suspended, ineligible, drafted and purchased players). Article 24 of National Association agreement empow A PROPER MOTIVE. ers a club or association to suspend a player for It is the purpose of the National Commis breach of contract or breach of any of the rules of sion to ascertain if unnecessary hardships are such clnb or association and authorizes either of being inflicted on comparatively unknown these parties and the National Board to reinstate players by club owners, thereby keeping them such offenders. from developing into good players by barring "As the duty of protecting the rights and privileges them from organized base ball. If the in of players under the National Agreement Is vested in formation submitted to the Commission shows the Commission, we desire to direct the attention of the National Board to tha most flagrant instance of that a suspended player was punished for just excessive suspensions for immediate investigation, and cause he will stay suspended so far as the such action as may be requisite to secure for the Commission is concerned. But if it is found players relief from the arbitrary exercise of the right that players are unjustly prevented from play of suspension. It is not Improbable that a majority ing ball through trickery or for no other of- of these suspensions were resorted to for the purpose feiise than their own ignorance of base ball of retaining title to players through trickery under law it is purposed to declare such players the- guise of base ball law. The investigation, by the free agents eligible to play base ball with Board should bo thorough in the following cases: whom they please. The facts on which this Des Moines, Western League, Class A, carried 15 action was based have been corralled by A. J. suspended players; Springfield, I. I. I. League, Class Flanner. His B, carried 15 suspended players; Dallas, Texas League, Class C, carried 12 suspended players; Sagi SEARCH OF THE RECORDS naw, South Michigan League, Class C, carried 21 suspended players; Anderson, Carolina Association, revealed the fact that some minor league clubs Class 1), carried 10 suspended players. A list of are carrying 15 or more players on their in these and other clubs who have five or more suspended eligible lists in addition to the limit allowed players is enclosed. for reserved players. One club, Saginaw. of These points, in the judgment of the Commission, the South Michigan League, has 21 players should be developed in your investigation: The of- under suspension. The Des Moines Club, of fense, date of suspension and status of the player the Western League, and the Springfield (I. when declared ineligible, that is to say, whether he I. I. League) Club each are keeping 15 was in the services of the suspending club, was pur players out of organized base ball. Many chased, or was a free agent, and if ths latter, whether other minor league clubs have five or more, title to him Is claimed by contract or acceptance of suspended players absolutely in their power. terms." Some of these suspensions, it is believed, have been carried for years. The aggregate dis EDWARD SWEENEY, BENCH MANAGERS. covered by Mr. Planner exceeds 450, and the National Commission intends to find out if Catcher of the New York American League Club. there are that many young ball players who Edward Sweeney. of the New York American League Club, developed last year into the Opinion That They Will Ultimately have transgressed the rules of base ball seri star catcher of the Highlanders. Sweeney is a native of Chicago and is 24 years old. Ha Prevail Among Majors. ously enough to be kept out of the game in began hts short professional career with the Columbia. (South Atlantic League) Club in 19CM3, definitely. If not, tlie Commissioners propose joining Atlanta, of flie Southern League, the next Spring. Ford also was a member of the "I believe that before long all managers to relieve some of them from the injustice Atlanta Club in 190". Sweeney became a Highlander in 1908, but did little work until 1909, will be bench managers,©© says Hugh Mc- of being denied employment. starting to show real class in July. Last year Ed. did the buik of the catching for the Breen, secretary of the Boston Americans. Hilltopiiers. He is a splendid thrower, handles Ford©s delivery better than either Criger or "I think the game is coming to that. Base PRESIDENT JOHNSON EXPLAINS. Mitchell, and is now considered the best young receiver in the American League. ball has gone ahead so much and come to Discussing the proposed action President be so fast that before long the manager will Johnson, of the American League said: "The have all he can do to sit on the bench and National Agreement gives the ball player of direct the play without attempting to get; any league or class the right of appeal to upon the coaching lines. Managers must the National Commission if unjustly treated. players on their ineligible lists, according to S. C., 10; Burlington, la., 9; Wilson, N. C., plan ahead, must be figuring out the next, The minor leagues fought that provision bit the records obtained by Mr. Flanner, are as 8; Marion, O., 8; Battle Creek, Mich., 7; play and upon the lines they are apt to lose terly when the Agreement was formed, but follows: Spartanburg, S. C., 6; Hutchinson, Kan., 6; sight of moves ahead they have in their results have shown that the player must Racine, Wis., 5; Kewanee, 111., 5; Ellsworth, minds in the immediate duties of coaching. have protection from the tricks practiced by Class A Des Moines, la., 15; St. Joseph, Kan., 5 ; Junction City, Kau., 5. You see a manager coaching at first base one Mo., 5. some managers and club owners. Probably PLAYERS AT DISADVANTAGE. minute and then a situation arises that takes some of the eases are just and should stand. Class B Springfield, 111., 15; Seattle, him over to third base, and it doesn©t seem, But the chances are the majority of these Wash., 7; Lancaster, Pa., 7; Bridgeport, That minor league clubs have abused the to ine that he can make these moves and at players have been blacklisted without just Conn., 6; York, Pa., 6; "Wheeling, W. Va., blacklist of players there is not the slightest the same time plan as clearly as if he wero cause, and, if this can be determined, they 5; Vancouver, B. C., 5. doubt in view of the above list of excessive on the bench without anything to bother him will be declared free agents and permitted to Class C Dallas, Tex., 12; Roanoke, Va., suspensions, and the National Commission in except planning.