Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-10
BASEBALL BUSINESS
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE Ma
roNAL LEAGUE.
NOTIFICATION OF DRAFTING RULES
q. Drsfting Prfce-Play-
Len, by Major to Minor
,..,. c,us,-case of Gallagher
and Richmond Club.

PHILADELPHIA, November Sine
annual meeting of the Nationai bhse-
Ball League was opened at tne fio'e'
walton to-day at much later hour thah
was expected. Among the notaDie hi-
rivals this morning were Manager Aoriah
C. Arson, of Chicago; Chris Won oer Ahe'
NJ 81. Louis, and George and Earl Wag-
ner. of Washington.
The official programme OF the Nauonl
League gathering moved rather SLOWLY 'o-
dav hut the rumors of deals grew
thicker and thicker as the day and night
progressed.
The Board of Directors Of the league
convened shortly after IL O'CLOCK anu
disposed of a few rather unimportant APP
peals from players who had grievances
the appeals in each instance being sum-
marily disallowed and dismissed.
President Young was authorized 10 es-
tablish an Office in the business section
of Washington for the transaction OF
league business. and the Boston club was
officially awarded the championship OF
1897.
The National Board of Arbitration then
got together to dispose of matters un-
finished at last nights session.
The most important subject before the
board was the petition or the class
leagues for a modification of the drafting
clause of the national agreement. The
petition met with no opposition, and 1t
was decided that its provisions should be
recommended to the National League Tor
adoDtion The suggested change IN tne
rules for drafting, which WILL without
doubt, be endorsed by the league, pro-
yides that no player can be drafted ny
the National League, unless he shall nave
served at least two years in the CLASS A
league from which the draft Is desired 10
be made. Glass A consists OF the EASTERN
the Western, and the Atlantic leagues.
No change was asked by the minor
leagues In the drafting price, which Will,
therefore, remain at $500. The change in
the drafting rule does not prevent the
purchase of any minor league player by
a National League club through mutual
agreement of the clubs interested, ana
transfers from the minor to the major
league through purchase or trades can
at any time be made, as heretofore.
On the suggestion Of John I. Brush, an
amendment to the drafting clause was
also recommended to the league for ap-
proval, which grants permission TO Ma
tional League clubs to lend player TO
a minor club, with the understanding
that the player can be recalled on thirty
days notice
MINOR MATTERS.
Among the affairs of less general in
terest disposed of by the board were the
following:
The claim of the Philadelphia club to
Players McVey and Fox, through agree
ment with the Athletics. of the Atlantic
League for their purchase, was confirm
ed, but the petition of the two players
for unpaid salary was referred TO the At
lantic League, for which payment, under
the national agreement, that league was
responsible.
The appeal of w. II. Gallagher for un-
paid salary from the Reading club was
dismissed, and Gallagher was granted
release from reservation by the Richmond
club. Gallagher, for some breach Of dis
cipline, was fined by the Reading club
the amount of salary due him. He then
refused to play with the Reading club,
and was released to Richmond. Gallagher
did not play with Richmond, but was
placed on the latter's reserve list. The
board decided that the players fine was
justifable but gave him his freedom TO
contract hereafter with whom he may.
Inc reported purchase Oi Clements ny
Boston, and Grady by New York Was
positively denied this evening by the
club owners OF these cities.
The Philadelphia club is endeavorlng
to effect a deal with st. Louis. by which
Monte Cross, Catcher Douglass, and
Pitcher Donohue can be brought TO Phila
delphia. 1t Is said Won der Abe has Leen
offered Taylor, Clements, Nash. and Lave
Cross for the three players named, or
any three of them for Monte Cross and
Douglass.
THE LEAGUE PROPER.
The business of the auxiliary bodies,
the Board of Arbitration and the Board
of Directors having finally been dis
posed of, the National Baseball League
proper was called to order for its first
session at o'clock tonight with rep
resentatives present from all the twelve
clubs.
In keeping with the slow work of the
past few days, the meeting lasted less
than an hour, and no business whatever
was transacted.
FEVER ON THE DECREASE.