Evening star., 1898-08-16
FREEDMAN WINS.
Ducky Holmes Kept From Playing
With the Baltimores.

From the Philadelphia Press.
The board of directors of the National
League, at their meeting at the Hotel Wal
ton yesterday, enacted the most startling
bit of base ball legislation of the season.
They were called together apparently to
decide the appeal of the New York club
from the payment Of the fine of 81 600 for
the forfeiting of recent game to Balti-
more. They decided this against the New
York club, and then they went a step fur
ther. This that "Ducky' Holmes the
left fielder of the Baltimore club, who made
a remark which caused President Freed
man of the New York club to order his
manager to forfeit the game, should be sus-
pended from the game fer the rest of this
season. The Baltimore club is given ten
days i'll which to carry out the edict of the
beard.
The appeal of the New York cluh against
the payment of the 81 900 fine WAS denied
The fine win be held by the league until
October 10. and will be forfeited to the
league by Baltimore, should Holmes be
played after the ten days shall have ex-
pired.
The decision regarding the fine did not
cause any surprise. The one however put
ting Player Holmes out of the business un-
til next season fell like lightning from a
clear sky. No one supposed that any ac-
ton would be taken in the case of Holmes
1t being generally supposed that the board
OF discipline recently created by the league
1t was shortly after noon when the board
was called to order by w. w. Watkins in
the absence of President Young. The lat
ter arrived later and took command.
Col. Rogers of the Philadelphia ball club
claimed that Boyle had been disposed of
to the New York club for 81 900, while
President Freedman, through his counsel,
maintained that the deal had not been con-
summated. The directors after consider
able argument, decided in favor of the New
York club, and the Philadelphia club still
has Boyle on its staff.
"Uncle Nick did not miss much of the
fun, as the opposing sides had not YET
opened their broadsides. Only skirnishng
preceded his arrival, and he was on hand
up as follows: b. S. Muckenfuss of ST.
Louis, Harry Pulliam of Louisville W. w.
Watkins of Pittsburg, II. Won der Horst of
Baltimore. Earl Wagner of Washington
and A. j. Reach of Philadelphia.
The Holmes-Freedman episode occurred
on the grounds of the New York club last
month. Holmes was former player of
the New Yorks and after having been
struck out was walking to the bench when
a spectator called him lobster and re-
ferred to his having been let go by New
York. Holmes retaiated by making a
mark, which, it is claimed, was only heard
by few persons, but which was taken by
Mr. Freedman being referred to himself
and as an insult Mr.. Freedman made a
scene upon the field, finally ordering his
manager to forfeit the game A few days
later payment on the check given Baltimore
for the gate receipts was stopped.
Baltimore Managers View of 1t.
From the Baltimore Sun.
Manager Hanlon returned to Baltimore
last night When asked about the boards
action, he said: II consider it both absurd
and outrageous. 1t is an outrage on the
Baltimore club and outrage on Holmes
THE case was perfectly plain. Freedman
stopped the game because of a supposed in
suit to himself. This being the case, he
owed us our share of the gate receipts and
the 81 900 fine under the constitution What
does the board do? 1t fines Mr.. Freedman
$1,000 because 1t cannot do otherwise but
then says In effect: Mr. Freedman we fine
you this $1,000, but you need not pay the
$3.50 you owe Baltimore, and as a sop to
you we will suspend Holmes and thus Grip
pie the Baltimore team. and. if it refuses
to be crippled, you need not pay either the
$1,000 or the $3.50 you owe
That is just it. If we refuse to suspend
Holmes, Freedman goes free. In other
words, the board says Freedman is guilty,
but he shall be punished only on condition
that the Baltimore club. that is innocent,
is punished more than Freedman Is. We
innocent as We are. are to be punished
more than Freedman is, whose guilt is ad-
m1tted Was anything more absurd? And
now suppose We refuse to suspend Holmes
Freedman is not only not punished but he
is actually rewarded by being allowed to
pocket $3.50 of our money. In other words
the innocent Baltimore club is fined $3.50
for the benefit of the guilty party.
'As for Holmes. he is punished without
reason. without the slightest chance to be
heard in his own defense and even without
being notified that he was accused of any
thing.
What will We do? Well, we have not yet
decided. We have ten days in which to
decide, and IL Brodie is all right, we may
let Holmes rest the remainder of the sea-
son, because we should very much dislike
for Freedman to get all the money. But
h., nt thar If hn anStn dc
to weaken the Orioles, we shall tell the
board that refuse to be crippled and
let them reward Mr. Freedman Il they see
fit"