The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-16
RANGES in THE RULES.
There Are Thought to Be Too
Many Clubs.
RATHER A LARGE CONTRACT.
Effort to Make Gentlemen Out of
the Players of the National
Game.

baseball magnates were present iG the
Fifth-avenue Hotel to-day, when the twen-
teth convention of the National League
reasSem bled. Prior to the meeting George
Ruchstuhl of Louisville expressed the be-
lief that an arrangement would be
reached to-day without much further dis
cussion on the subject of division of re-
ceipts.
If the constitution could be so amended
it is believed an eight-club circuit would
very soon take the place of the present
twelve-club arrangement, or if not that
four clubs would be glad to sell their fran
chises. 1t is practically acknowledged to-
day that all probability OF q change at
present is at an end as far as the number
of clubs is concerned. The only clubs that
might sell their franchises will not dispose
of them for what would be considered a
reasonable sum. Should the Eastern clubs
buy four of them out it would cost $780, 900,
and such a sum is far beyond what those
most IN favor Of the project would think
of giving. The scheme of forming two
circuits. an Eastern and Western one,
to play separate schedules. and then con-
clude the series BY Eastern and Western
games, and vice versa, while it may
eventually come to something, does not
appear to-day 10 have even a remote
chance of adoption.
The convention on resuming business at
once took IN the discussion of the dis
posal Of the 10 p r cent gate receipts, which
occupied the undivided attention of the
magnates until late in the day.
The minor leagues, which are also in
fn- dow Ujn has
to make which will either make confusion
worse COMPOUNDED or will perhaps provide
some solution of the very tangled question
with which the magnates are now puzzling
their brains.
Pat Powers, president of the Eastern
league, said: Our meeting will be very
i'm Dortant one. and we will perhaps let in
some light on ali this business which will
be of a rather surprising nature. As TO
the formation of the new American Asso-
citation, you can dismiss that. There has
been an attempt made 10 take Buffalo from
the Eastern League. Now, Buffalo will
not join the new association should 1t be
formed, nor will Ii buy franchise in the
National League should that be possible.
Buffalo is making money, and it would
want to have a team 10 the first flight of
the National League to avoid losing lot
of money. l have some communications l
cannot now produce, but when | do they
will create big sensation"
The convention. after a long session,
agreed by a vote of to to abolish the 10
per cent assessment to the league. In
future, instead of the 10 per cent assess
ment, salaries of the officials will be met
hv orn rata navmont firm, oluh
After a session lasting four and a half
hours the league decided to rescind the 10
per cent assessment rule. 1t was decided
that each club competing in a champion
ship game shall draw 80 psr cent of the
net receipts of such game.
The following magnates were elected
members of the board Of directors: j. T.
Brush. Cincinnati; J. A. mart, Chicago
Chris Won der Abe. St. Louis c. ii. Byrne,
Brnoklyn; A. n. Soden. Boston, and II.
r. Vonderhorst. Baltimore. The national
board, consisting of A. H. Soden, C. H.
Byrne ard President Young, was re-
elected.
The resolutions abolishing the 10 pei
cent assessment also abollshes section 4e
of the rules, under which 1t was provided
that 10 per cent of the receipts OF each
chamI ionship game should be forwarded
TO Washington to pay the expenses of the
offici ais anu form sinking fund of $25, 600.
In place OF section 40 a new section is
added as follows:
Out OF the funds OF the league now in the
hands OF the treasurer he shall create sinking
fund OF $4,000, which shall be invested in
Government bonds, and all other funds sh all be
placed In The treasury to meet current ex penses.
The following resolution was passed:
That the committee on rules are instructed ia
report 10 tile spring meeting such amendments
as may be necessary to compel the umpire to
enforce the playing rules, especially those pro-
hiblting noisy coaching and rowdy or disorderly
conduct on the ball field.
The following addition was made to
rule "a:
In addition TO the penalty above referred to
the captain or manager, or the person in charge
OF the offending team, and responsible for The
team leaving the field, shall incur a penalty OF
500, which shall be paid In five days to the
secretary of the league, such penalty not TO be
RENTED under any circumstance.
This rule is in addition to the $1,000 pen
III ~, e.