Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-04
YOUNG'S HANDS TIED
Awaiting Statements by New York
and Baltimore.
FORFEITED GAME OF JULY rs
Mr.. HanIon Again Presents His
Complaints.
Ted GAME OF JULY Is
CURRENT SPORTING NOTES

The following signed statement has been
issued by President Young of the National
Base Ball League in regard to the New
York-Baltimore forfeited game of July %
The recent unpleasant incident in New
York, resulting in the forfeiture of the
game to the Baltimore club in the fourth
inning on July %, is the subject of much
misunderstanding on the outside of official
base ball circles and even among some of
cur officials It's status is not underst TODD
and the league and myself have been SUBJ
jected to criticism for apparent apathy My
silence might indicate that l am drifting
and awaiting developments but, On the
contrary, have the matter well in hand
with a well-defined policy, which | am
convinced fits the law and the circumstances
OF the case.
"On July % Umpire Lynch reported to
me the forfeiture of the game to Baltinor,
on account of the refusal of the New York
club to continue play, and recited the cir
cumstances about as published in the
papers. asserting that he did not hear any
thing insulting said by Player Holmes to
the spectators to Justify his removal from
the game.
''On July 26 the New York club protested
to the board of directors against the de-
cision cf the umpire and the result of the
game. claiming that the facts and the law
form no basis for the forfeiture of the
game. Here the question OF fact is raised
as to whether the New York club did with
draw its team from the game as compre-
hended in the league constitution and the
recent legislation Of the National Leagu
The appeal was Immediately transmitted
to the Baltimore club for answer and up
to date no reply has been received.
This case, of course is entirely separate
al d distinct from any claim for the pen
atty imposed for the withdrawal of a team
from a game before its completion, but it
at the same time forms the basis of any
further action that might be taken under
the provisions of section n of the consti-
tuition.
After delay of several days during
which the payment on check for Balti-
more's share of the gate receipts was stop-
Led, July - the Baltimore club anpeal-
ed to the board of directors for the en-
forcement of the penalty of 81 900 for the
withdrawal of the New York team before
the completion of the game. A copy of
this appeal was immediat ely mailed to Mr..
freedman for answer, and likewise no re-
ply has been received.
In the consideration of these conten-
tons ! have two conditions to bear in
mind-one of fact and one of law
First. There is dispute as to the facts
of the case as conaprehended in section 81
OF the league constitution pending before
the board of direct6 RS Until the facts are
established by the competent tribunal It
would be presumption for the secretary of
the league to anticipate their finding and
administer the law. seYl
second section Iof OF the league cOnSt1-
tuition was obviously adopted for the pro-
lection of home clubs against hastv and
disinterested visiting club managers with
drawing their teams from the field and dis
appointing the spectators. which action al
ways Injuries the homeIclub far more than
the retention of theogate receipts or a
small pecuniary fine. can repay. It was
never anticipated thatIany club would dis
appoint its patrons who had journeyed to
the grounds and paid admission to witness
a game. hBR .
THE secretary of this league. under these
circumstances awaited the, appeal of the
Baltimore club before taking any action.
1t would not. in all probability, have pre-
scented its claim if it had received its share
of the gate receipts, but the New York
club. having stopped payment on the
check, forced it to this recourse.
THE matter now is in the hands of the
interested clubs, and my hands are tied
until they move. when / will take prompt
and vigorous action, and, if it appears nee
essary, call meeting of the board of di-
rectorS to adjudicate the entire matter"