The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-27
A NEW LAW OF BASEBALL.
1t Gives All the League Clubs an Equal Chance
in Securing Good Players.

Director John II. Martin. who accompanied
President Brush to the League meeting at New
York. and who returned yesterday, says Brush
is a 'honey," and that if Indianapolis did not
lead the League in the field she led it
in council. The plan proposed by the Indian
apolis folks was presented by Mr.. Brush
so effectively that. to use Mr.. Martins express
sion. she knocked the props from under the OBJ
~jectors,' and there was little or no trouble after
his address in occurring the adoption OF the
measures he advocated. Part of the
amendments adopted have already been
printed in these columns. At the
end Of each season the various clubs
in the League will send their reserve list to
President Young. who will take into considera-
ton the character of the players. their batting,
fielding. base-running, earnestness of team work
and conduct on and off the field. and grade them
accordingly. Salaries will be fixed in such
grading as follows: Class A. s., 500: class b,
$3.50; class z. $1,000; class d, 81. $50; class E.
81, 900.
Contracts based on that grading will be pre-
sented to the players desired in the League by
presidents of the League clubs, and as Mr..
Youue's grading is fual, a refusal to sign is
players refusing to sign. The players will
also be required to sign ~Afidavits
that their contracts represent all they
are to get, aud at the end of each season each
president of a League club must sign an affidavit
that be has paid no more than was expressed in
his contracts. False will blacklist
a player and bring a fine OF s., 1000 upon q presl-
dent, as we'll az the loss OF the player
he has o%verpaid, such player going to the
League and going wherever it sees fit to send
him. Captains or managers OF clubs, no mat
ter what their rating may be. are allowed to
take what any club chooses to offer them for
their services. Existing verbal or written con-
tracts are not TO be interfered with by the
amendment adopted. Boston, New York, Phil
adslphia and Pittsburgh have contracts which
will not be disturbed. Washington. Indiasap-
oils, Cleveland and Chicago probably have none.
One of the advantages hoped for from the
amendments is that the dissatisfaction of play
ers who are offered an increase of salary to come
to other clubs will De removed, and Denny aud
Glasscock will, for instance, be as willing to
play ball in Indianapolis as in New York. There
will also be n benefit to the League CLUBS
in the matter of buying new players, as such
purchases will be made by President Young in
behalf Of the club first applying. and such club
shall have preference until it signifies Its Tn
willingness to meet the best terms Mr.. Young is
able to secure. The American Association meets
In st. Louis on the 4tn proX., and will doubtless
adopt the amendments made by the League.
AS to the INDIANAPOLIS club, 1t Is probable
that Its personnel will not be changed much. 1t
is the opinion OF competent authority East and
West that the club is strong enough TO take a
a much higher place than IL has if il is properly
managed. a new pitcher will probably be add
ed, and there will be a radical
change in the management The new
manager cannot be named yet. There are a
good many applicants for the position. 1t is in
tended that the club shall be strengthened and
not weakened by any changes that are made.
The new classification will probably save the
indianapolis club So. 900 and as President Brush
is on the schedule committee it will probably
"a ,o n &c The rl,v,. -, fbo chon mn &c ", q
of July. Labor day and other holiday
games. The figures show that Indianapolis
is as good q ball town as there is 10 the country,
considering its size. Chicago would have to
have a million and a quarter of people and New
York and Boston would have to have two mill
ions each il the percentage Of attendance on
baseball, as compared to population, was the
same in those cities as it is In Indianapolis.