The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-19
BASE BALL AGAIN IN PERIL.
Public Interest Apt TO Be Killed by The
New Fight.

Must Be Observed if the Sport is to
Be Financial Success.
New Orleans, Nov. 1S-Messrs. Byrne.
Brush Hart Vondcrhorst and Young the
committee Of the National Base Ball
League, has made the following report to
the National Board Of Professional Base
Ball Associations: "The fundamental
principle of the national agreement as
originally drawn, and which is now in
operation is a respect for territorial rights
This, in fact, is the corner stone of the
structure.
1T contemplates and provides organiza-
tion of cities into leagues or associations.
with one club, and one only, in each city,
and a contest between the respective
cities for championship honors. The in
terest which base ball arouses in any city
Is based absolutely on local pride. The
essence of value to championship is en-
tirely to the city to which the victorious
club belongs
Experience has demonstrated that
whenever and wherever territorial rights
have been invaded and rival clubs estab-
lished the element of local pride is abb
sent and interest in both destroyed. II is
this which makes a respect for territorial
rights principle which we must uphold
1t is true, nevertheless, and we so de-
clare, that we will gladly welcome and en-
courage the formation Of leagues and as
soclations who desire to operate under ma
ttonal agreement and consent to abide bY
the fundamental principles of that docu-
ment.
To-day the future of base ball is con-
fronted by a new condition. condition
which in every particular is as harmful.
ana in many respects far more dangerous.
than open dishonesty and hagrant dissl-
patton. That is treachery within the
M IHtaF
nave had men identified with professional
base ball, who. for years. have beer the
benenclaries OF the game; have received
liberal compensation for the work thew
have done earned their livelihood en-
tirely and absolutely from the opportun-
tiles afforded by clubs and organizations
operating under the national agreement.
and we find and now know that these
men during this time have persistentIv
been Identifying themselves with schemes
and commissions. the objects and sole
purpose OF which are to weaken and per-
haps destroy the splendid fabric of our
national game which 1t has taken years
or effort and anxiety and a large outlay
of capital to construct
To-day we have the confidence of the
public and the press of the country, in
the methods and the integrity Of base ball
In larger measure than at any prior
period in the history OF our national game.
It devolVes upon us to continue to de-
serve and return this confidence. We
must endeavor to do IT,
THE interests of clubs and professional
bali players are Identical. One cannot
succeed without the other Success means
mutual benefit. The moment any sus-
picion attaches to base ball, the public
confidence lost or even chilled, the oc-
cupation of the ball player is gone. We
must all stand or fall together. There ia
no middle ground We stand by the fun
damental law, our national agreement,
| which guarantees protection to PLAYERS
as well as 10 clubs. or we destroy 1t. One
road leads to the perpetuation OF the ma
tional game, the other to it's decline. There
should be no place, no standing room In
base ball for any anarchistic element.
which never aids in building up, but is
ever ready to destroy.
The time has come when some action
should be taken to place this element with
out the pale Of our ranks.
THE national board, operating undep
the national agreement, was created to
protect and guard the interests of All
players, clubs and associations Identified
with the agreement. Any attempt to en-
croach upon that, to nullify or affect any
OF its provisions, Is of direct and material
concern to all alike.
THE obligations of contracts, the right
OF reserve and the territorial rights OF
clubs, associations and leagues must be-
upheld and shall be at any cost. II is
. a AAiaNNti VI puDllt IuluOIt ana Is also a
fact which has come to our knowledge.
! that men Identified with clubs members
| or the national agreement, have been CO.
operating in the formation of clubs or or
/ ganizations whose purpose is to conflict
with the national agreement. In view OF
| this knowledge the National League and
American Association Of Professional
| Clubs, in convention assembled, respect
/ fully suggests to and requests the ma
/ tonal board to declare A. c. Bucken-
berger, William Barnie and Fred Pfeffer
/ ineligible to be employed either as mama
/ ger or player, or in any capacity what
/ ever by any club or organization oper-
| ating under the national agreement, and
/ that they be forthwith suspended Such
suspension to remain in force until such
! time as they, or either Of them, can
satisfy the national board that they have
in no way been engaged directly or in
directly. in the organization of any club,
league or association formed, or to be
formed, In conflict with the principles
of the national agreement. and in the
event Of their failure to relieve them
selves from this suspension within such
time as your board may direct, they shall
be expelled and forever debarred from
any connection with clubs or organiza-
tions Identified with the national agree
ment Of professional base bali circles
1--WE furthermore request that your
board take like action in the case OF any
player, manager. umpire or club who, In
the future. IDENTIFIES himself with a siml-
lar movement"
The national board. consisting Of Messrs.
Young. Soden and Byrne. make the fol-
lowing announcement; "The board has
decided TO announce, and does declare,
that A. G. Buckenburger. William Bamie
and Fred pfeffor are ineligible to be en-
ployed either aa manager, player or IN any
other capacity by any club or organlza-
tion Identified with the national agree
meut and said persons are hereby de-
clared suspended.
"This board further declares that such
suspension shall remain IN force up TO
ard including Dec 80. 1894. and IN tho
event Of the failure OF the above named
persons, or either of them, on or before
the above named date, 90 show 70 this
board that he or they have been In no
way. directly or indirectly, engaged Ia any
attempt 90 promote The organization %
clubs. leagues or associations anfafon-
ietic ~ tho national agreement. they shall
be expelled ana forever debaffed from
amy connection with clubs or organized
b0aiea operating under the national agres-
| mani