Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-26
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Makes Important Changes in
Rules and Adjourns.
Umpires to Have More Power in Dis
cipIining Un'uIy Players.
Minor Leagues No. Fairly Used in the
New Classification.

New York, Feb 25.-The annual sprinl
meeting Of the National League of Profes
sional Base Ball Clubs WAS brought to A
close, tonight, at the Fifth Avenue hotel
1Ihe leagues schedule was given OUT at a
late hour. The opening day of the season
Is the same for all clubs, April Is.
The league magnatcs took mp the report
OF the rules committee as the first busi-
ness today. In the future unpires must
Immediately remove from the game and
ileia any player guilty Of improper or in
decent conduct or language. instead of
having the option OF timing the offender as
| heretofore.
With regard TO coachers or players leay
| ipg the hounds OF thei: positions, the UNI
| pre- shall, after the iirSc warning, fine the
| uHerdefsnot less than IS nor more than
Slu. IN case OF a second violation, fine
OF SO will be imposed and for the third
| offence the umpire must positively order
| the PLAYER from the game and field, and
forthwith notify the captain Of the team
% which the player belongs, that during
the continuance Of the game no more fines
viii be imposed, but the offending PLAYER
VIII spiter summary expulsion
This rule does not apply to the captain
al either team when he shall appeal to the
umpire on question of Interpretation of
the rules. When the umpire orders a
PLAYER from the game, lie must insist that
7Gch player be removed from the field and
shall suspend play until such order is
obeycd. The other changes are uni1Dport-
ant.
President Hart Of Chicago, offered a
,esolltion TO dispense with the Temple
Cup series, but the motion was moi enter
tanned.
The double umoire system was not dis
cussed, nor was the new member elected
on the board Of arbitration. The lettsr
matter was laid ogor to the next meeting
Of the league, in Chicago, some time in
November. The other business before the
meeting was unimportant and the league
adjourned, at 8 this evening
During the afternoon the magpates
presented magnificent silver service to
President ana Secretary Nick Young
on the occasion Of the silver anniversary
OF his connection with professional base
tall. President a. II. Sodcn of Boston.
made the presentation address.
The minor league magnates were much
perturbed over the action OF the national
body in altering the national agreement
IN such manner a. to impose new hard
ships on the lesser organizations There
was much bitter feeling among the repre-
-entatives of these leagues. and meeting
was held during the day to consider the
course of action. It was decided to most
pone action until March 10, when meet
ing will be held at Washington.
Under the new national agreement on
the aggregate population basis, some of
the minor leagues will be forced into lower
classes than they are now placed in. In
the case Of the Atlantic League. which
comprises Wilmington Del. Newark.
Paterson and Jersey City,N and Hart
ford and New Haven, CT. President Sam
Crane has already contracted and paid for
projections under Glass A.
BY the terms of the new agreement. the
Atlantic League is in Glass B, and ,t is
doubtful If the National League has the |
power of retracting the original contract |
None of the magnates would speak on |
the matter except President Young, who |
said that he thought it very delicate |
matter which it would take much time to |
decide.
Different clubs in the league report ar
made for the observing of
Harry Wright day, April -. Each city
Will play game, the proceeds to be de-
voted to erecting a suitable memorial to
the late veteran.