Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-11-21
THE NATIONAL GAME.
Men Who Are Financially Inter-
ested in 1t Meet in New York.
DISCUSSING NEW RULES.
Batting Chances to BE Increased-National
League business to he Transacted-A
New Organization Formed In Phila-
deiphIa-The Central League.

NEW YoRK, Nov 2i.-The corridors of
The Fifth Avenue hotel presented an ami
mated scene. The great baseball men OF the
United States were present in force. They
had gathered to attend the meeting OF the
National League of baseball clubs. The
settling of last seasons business and the
making Of new plans for the coming season
win be attended to at this meeting
The various clubs are represented by the
following men:
New York. B. Day and c. T. Dillingham;.
Pittsburg-w. A. Nimick. Horace Phillips, A. X.
Scandart. J. p. O'Neill and ii. p. Brown. Boa
ton--A. H. Soden, w. II. Conant and ]. b. BIZ
lings. Detroit-F. X. Stearns and w. J. Gray.
Indianapolis-J. r. Brush and J. Martin. Wash
ington-walter Hewitt and L. A. Burkett. Chi
cago-Walter Spalding. Cleveand-J. d. Robin
son, George Howe and d. Hawley. Philadcl-
phia--Col. John J. Rogers and A. ]. Reach
It Is currently reported that the Boston
men intend to secure John Ward as a short
stop, If such deal Is possible, although they
are reticcnt about the matter and refuse to
make any definite statement Ward comes
high, and if the Bostonians are willing to pay
the $4,000 asked, the New York manage
ment will undoubtedly part with him.
The joint committee on rules, consisting OF
three men from the League and three from
the Association, met in Parlor +. With the
assistance of the National Baseball Scorers
association they will make some changes in
the rules. The committee is composed of
John J. Rogers, of Philadelphia; John b.
Day, OF New York, and Walter Spalding, of
Chicago, Of the League, and President Byrne,
Of Brooklyn; William Barnie, of Baltimore,
and Manager Schmelz, Of Cincinnati, Of the
Association
Some radical changes will be adopted with
an eye to charging the batting chances,
which, under the present style of play, are
reduced to a minimum. The proposition viii
be submitted that the out on a foul fly DO
abolished.
The Detroits win leave the League, and
their place win be taken by the Cleveland
club The representative of the Buffalo club,
John B. Sage, said that the Buffalos will not
I'LL the vacancy in the American association
caused by the withdrawal of the Cleveland
club The Detroit men say they can make
more money outside of the League.
Rumor is very busy over the chances Of
various association clubs coming into the
league, but it appears that the competition
for the Detroit franchise has narrowed down
very considerably In fact, the only club on
the ground which has made any overtures
for admission to the league is the Cleveland
club, which has sent several delegates to the
meeting. Manager Schmelz, of the Cincin-
natis, declares that he is not after the place.
Among other suggested alterations in the
rules is one permitting the batter, as in the
old days, to call for high or low ball. 1t
has also been proposed to give the striker his
base for three called balls instead of five as
now.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 2o.-The call for
baseball league meeting resulted in perma-
nent organization Wilmington, Trenton,
frankfort, Norristown and Philadelphia re-
spending. The delegates present were:
frankfort, ]. L. Rigby; Trenton, S. K.
Govern; Wilmington, A. Foster; Philadel-
phia, c. II. Mason; Norristown, G. H. Ma
son (hy proxy The objects of the convention
were made known, and after a committee, con-
sisting of Mcssrs. Mason, Govern and Rigby,
reported constitution, the same was adopted
ana the election Of permanent officers took
place, with the following result: President,
G. II. Mas0f; vice president, j. Il. Rigby;
secretafy and treasurer, w. II. voltz, of The
Press. The board of directors viii be elected
at the next meeting, which viii be held in
this city on Dec. 5.
1t was decided that the league should be
called THE Middle States league and that
il should consist of eight clubs The league
win be worked on the guarantee system, each
club receiving $50, with privilege of 40 per
cent. OF the gate receipts. A committee on
salaries was appointed, and it reported thas
the salary per man was not to exceed SIS per
month This report was adopted. Fifty-six
games win be played the championship sea-
son opening May and closing Sept l.
Mr. Mason was appointed committee OF
one 60 call upon he managers of the Harris
burg, Lancaster and Reading clubs to ex-
anime their condition and to report at the
next meeting. There viii be no reservation
Of players, but contracts, which win give the
players equal rights and prevent other or
CARNATIONS from signing them, win be
adopted
The penalty fixed for a club breaking the
salary limit rule is 500 for the first offense
and expulsion for the second. There win be
no travelling staff of umpires, each city being
compelled 70 furnish the names Of five com
petent men, one of whom viii be selected by
the visiting club to ofiiciate But three
games per week win be played, 50 as to allow
an abundance OF open dates for exhibition
games Any application for membership
prior to Dec. can be forwarded to the sec
refnry in care Of The Press Office
WulKEsBARRE, Pa, Nov. IA meeting
Of the Central Baseball league was held here
" G. Smith, of Elmira, was elected vice
president The membership Of the Easton
club was declared forfeited unless before
Nov 30 they discontinue the suit brCAght
against the treasurer of tile league and conf
ply. with the order Of the board Of directors
made at Newark Oct IL. Forfeiture of men,
bership vests the franchise and contracts Of
the players in the league. The Easton
players are now under the control Of the
league.
4 whole Family Poisoned.
MONTGOMERY. Ala, Nov. 21.-A special