New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-13
THE CONVENTION OF AMATEUR BASEBALL
CIIfRs

CLUBS
The most important movements affecting the
interests OF the ball fraternity Of the country which
have occurred the organization of the National As
ISOLATION in 1851 - years ago. TO take place in this
city this week The principal is that which TO eul-
mnate in the reorganization OF the National Association,
under the exclusive auspices OF the amateur players
The other meeting OF the representatives OF the u
professional clubs OF the country 10 adopt rules govern
ing the championship contests Of their class, and TO
take such action will lead TO tho organization Of
an Association which will legislae in the interests
of professional clubs only. lt IL claimed that the
time has arrived when the best interests OF both
classes Of the fraternity call for the existence Of
two separate Associations, the experience OF the
past three years having proved that no one lnstltu
lion satisfactorily adyantageousy govern both
The National Association managed In the interests
OF the class 10 l67, when came under the
control Of the prOfc sOnal organizations, ana since thh
il has entirely in their interests and for the
past three years the anomaly has been shown OF an in
sltut0n organized by amateur clubs exclusively ahd
supposed represent the interests of some few hundred
existing amateur clubs hut controlled and manipulated
by INSCRIPTIONS clique ot professional representa-
tyes and few Of their subscrvient tools OF the other
class entirely the interests Of some 10 or II professional
Up TO 1851 the National Association was governed by
printed constitution which recognized me basis OF nd
Yidral club representation aud other Its laws, OF
course duly provided for legal change of constitutions
the convention Of that the great majority OF
delegates, their cagcrncss to introduce the new sys
TEN representation by state Association delegates IN
stead Of Individual clubs repudiated the existing cons
tuition and adopted one, IN violation 0i the Wil
laws OF the Old constitution Since then, though tne
OF state Associations has worked successfully IN
theory. IN practce e tactics auopten py su'h CuS anu
delegates DESTROYS Of controlling the annual con
yentOns have been such to place the National Assoc
entirely in their hands. Whatever the real
Of the trouble. however the result OF the
animal ycutiOns aud the proceedings which have
marked them 1867 have been such tO disgust
a large class OF the fraternity that they have taken no
part in the annual conventions, and have even with
drawn from all connection with the Association. This
secession movement eliminated, this winter in the in
auguration Of movement made by the knickerOOcker
Club OF this city and the Excelsors of Brooklyn looking
10 the inauguration Of new National Associations com
posed entirely Of amateur clubs This movement was
course FASTENED by the proceedings Of the November
convention at which men were placed III ohce VINO rep
resented not only the minority OF the delegates present
bat who in direct antagOnism TO the best Interests
the amateur class Since the issuing OF the first crcu
lar announcing the convention of amateur clubs the
movement has been growing in favor with the best
classes Of the fraternity.
The first convention and the most important one will
be held at the Excelsior Climb rooms in Brooklyn.
the Excelsior Clnb Ia arrange the prtminarcs OF the
Convention met last week and took important ac-
ton. After due delibemtiOn IL resolved To
mend TO the Convention the adoption of the Constitution
OF the National Association In force during the Of
1861. Thus the Committee propose 10 regard the Ma
tiOnal Association having become deiunct usttu-
ton in 7 when it ceased to be controlled by the class
90 advance whose interests IL originally
way occupy position which will give them
the entire control OF the National Associations
The Amateur Convention will meet a the Excelsior Club
rooms, No 3l9 FuOn-st., Brooklyn, at Thurs
day next The Professional Convention viii meet at No
$40 broadway, on Friday AT y. Delegates 20 the
former Will be present from the Excelsior star, HarmO
mic, OsceOla, Oriental, Alpha and Raredae Clubs Of
Brooklyn; knickerbocker, Gotham, Empire, and Eagle
Clubs OF New York Champion OF jersey City, Eureka
OF Newark, Bergen Club, Fleetwood OF fremont, OlyIq
pie and Equity of Philadelphia, National Of Albany
from the Brown University CLUB OF Providence, aud
from the Ilion, Clipper Pasthne and other Clubs from
the upper part OF the state.