The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-19
ANOTHER BIG LEAGUE
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BASE
BALL CLUBS ORGANIZED.
philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn,
Washington, Chicago, P~ittsburg
and milwaukee Already I'm 1t.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. B.-Baseban men
representing six cities quietly gathered to-
gether in a room in the Colonnade Hotel,
this city. at noon to-day, and, after six
hours elaboration and discussion. Frank r.
Richter, editor OF a sporting paper, who
acted as spokesman for the party announced
the formation of the American Association
OF Baseball Clubs. with a circuit made up
thus far OF Philadelphia, New York, Brook
Ign and Washington in the East, and Chi
cago. Pittsburg and Milwaukee in the West.
The eighth club is TO be located in st.
Louis, Detroit, Columbus or Buffalo. with
chances favoring the latter.
At the meeting were the following-named
gentlemen: William Barnie. representing
Brooklyn capitalists, generally understood
TO be the owners OF Ambrose Park; w.
II. Becannon. representing New York
parties, rumored to control the Polo grounds,
the lease for which has been heretofore
held by the National League team OF that
city: F. c. Richter and w. S. Kanes. Of
Philadelphia, who, il is said. hope to secure
the old grounds used by the Athletic club,
OF the o~nce-powerful American Association;
Walter Hewitt and NJ. b. Seaman. of
Washington, well known In connection with
baseball at the national capital a few years
ago; A. c. Buckenberger, a baseball man.
ager Of national celebrity, and A. l.. Leroy,
representing Pittsburg, and Fred Pfeffer.
the head of the new organization in Chi
cago; H.. d. Quinn, of Milwaukee, was
represented by proxy, but he is expected
TO arrive here tomorrow.
The would-be magnates were confronted
upon their arrival in the city by the an
nouncement that Al Johnson. the wealthy
Cleveland capitalist. who has been looked
upon as the hacker Of the new organization.
cided TO have nothing TO do with baseball
hereafter. Not the least cast down, how
ever. by this unexpected move. the dele
gates organized at noon by choosing Mr.
Richter as temporary chairman, Mr.. Hewitt
acting as temporary secretary. 1t was de-
eided to organize a new american ass9eia-
represented, all the delegates having shown
financial backing satisfactory to the con-
ventioni AppncatiSnS toT memoershiP were
Cincinnati, Providence and Columbus.
These were referred TO a committee, pend
from Buffalo. II was decided to name the
new organization the American Association
of Baseball Clubs.
The constitution, reported by a committee
composed OF Messrs.. kaIness Barnie and
Seaman, was then adopted. This constitu-
ton limits the membership TO eight cities,
fixes the life of the association at ten years,
tary and board OF directors, regulates the
contract and control of players. and pre-
scrfbes rules for the championship. The
gate receipts are to be divided equally,
after the payment of 10 pr cent. into the
general fund, which must be maintained
to regulate the matter or free admissions
according to its own judgment. The gen.
eral admission was fxed at . cents and
permission TO play Sunday games was &C
corded TO all clubs that desired that priv
ilege. Exhibition games between associa-
tion clubs during the championship season
are absolutely prohibited. Transfers of
games will not be permitted. The buying
and selling of ball PLAYERS releases is also
tions relating to membership and full re-
ceipt division cannot be amended except by
unanimous consent, thus preventing any
'thrOwdoyns" whatever.
1t was also decided that the double umpire
system should be used Each club must
adopt for Its team a distinctive style and
color Of uniform 10 be worn at home and
not to be changed during the season. Said
color and style must be registered with the
secretary and cannot be used or infrInged
upon by the other association clubs. Strin-
gent rules were also adopted on the sub
ject Of dirty" ball playing and rough and
rowdy conduct on the field. 1t was de-
cided that there should be no fight with the
League IL the association could avoid it,
pursuance Of this policy IL was decided te
respect all contracts and to play a non
conflicting schedule.
At $50 o'clock the delegates got together
again and discussed the situation until near
ly midnight. when an adjournment wa:
taken until tomorrow. A presideat anC
secretary are 10 be elected, and other de-
tails of the organization perfected.