The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-02
BOARD OF DISCIPLINE NAMED
WHICH WILL HAVE POWER TO
FINALLY DETERMINE ALL CASES.
VioIatOrs of the New Rules May BE
Expelled for Life if Their Of
Tense Is Deemed Grave.

measure for the suppression or obscene, in
decent and vulgar language on the ball field
| by players was adopted by the representa-
tives of the twelve clubs present without
dissenting vote The provisions of this
measure are most sweeping, and provide for
the trial of guilty persons before tribunal
of three judges, to be known as 'the board
| of discipline" which shall punish the Gull
prit either by suspension expulsion for
| life. The first tribunal under this provision
will be composed of L. c. Krauthoff, of
Kansas City, Louis Kramer, of Cincinnati,
and Frederick K. Stearns, of Detroit.
These men, who are prominent and we'll
known to the patrons of the national game,
will serve, respectively, for three, two and
one year. One member of the board will
retire each year, and his successor will be
elected at the annual schedule meeting of
| the League.
| Very little business was transacted by the
League at the morning session. 1t per-
tanned to telegraph and railroad matters.
AT the afternoon session the doors were
| thrown open to newspaper men, who were
given an opportunity to listen to the report
of the committee appointed last year to
devise means for doing away with rowdy-
ism on the ball field. John Il. Brush, chair
| man of the committee, presented the re-
| port which embodied communications from
| baseball magnates, umpires, members of
the press and others interested in the ma
| tional game. These communications showed
the necessity of adopting some measure to
do away with the evil. All of the club rep
resentatives spoke in favor of such action,
| but differed as to details.
! On motion of President James A. Hart of
chicago the press representatives present
| We're asked to express their opinion on the
| subject. They were unanimously in favor
OF some action looking toward the doing
! away of rowdyism and vulgarity. AS the
| unanimous views of the committee, Chair
man Brush submitted report entitled
"A measure for the suppression of OBJ
scene, indecent and vulgar language on the
| pail held by players engaged in playing a
game of ball during the championship sea-
sun Whiie uIder contract with club. mem
Association of Professional Ball Clubs to
the end that the same may retain it's high
posl6lon as respectable and worthy of the
| confidence and support of the refined and
cultured classes of American citizenship"
| ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.
| vote was taken on the measure and it
was adopted unanimously, Mr.. Robson, of
Cleveland, rising to explain that whatever
| opposition he had shown to such legisla-
ton had been for the purpose of bringing
out an expression of opinion. In the alb
sence of President Freedman, of New York,
his vote was cast by A. H. Soden, of Bos-
ton.
In pursuance of this measure of reform
and to carry into effect it's intent and pur-
poses, twenty three regulations Of some
length are appended. The measure provides
| that the regulations shall be explained to
and read by every player and employee in
the League, who shall then be obliged to
| sign them for the purpose of showing that
sfts legislation had been brought to their
competent for any person or persons,
whether player, manager, umpire, club off,
ca GA or any cluo or spectator, to submit in
FORMATION and testimony in writing under
oath concerning obscene, indecent or vulgar
language during the progress of game by
a. player or employe of a National League
| edge.
| All charges of offense under this measure
shall be submitted to the president of the
| League under oath within forty-eight
hours of its alleged commission and the
| CT the same to the accused for his defense,
with the written notice of suspension, if
an any .o Five days shall be allowed the one
| to the president of the League, under oath,
his defense, and the case, when thus pre-
pared, shall be submitted by the president
TO tribunal of three judges selected by
| this League to be called the 'board Of dis
cipline." who shall have absolute, authority
| 10 acquIt or convict on the evidence SUBJ
mitted, according to the rules adopted for
its government and from which there shall
! be no appeal, except to the board OF d.
rectors of the League.
When the case is thus submitted to the
board .,,t the president of the tribunal shall
mitted, taking into account the nature and
gravity of the offense, it's Importance as
affecting the welfare Of the national game,
] the provocation for it's commission and
| such other circumstances as may be sub
rnitted, that are entitled to be considered,
and he shall report in writing his opinion
and finding in the premises and If the Of
| Tense be proven he shall affix the penalty
and forward the same. together with his
opinion and all the papers, to his associate
nearest in territory, who shall attach there
/ to his opinion, conclusions and Judgment
and forward the same to the remaining
member of the tribunal, and he, in turn,
shall return the papers and opinions, con-
illusions and findings to the president of the
League, who shall carry into effect the
| Judgment of the board or a majority there
for the period determined by the tribunal,
| or acquit him, as the case may be. When
the members of the tribunal. or majority
president of the League shall select some
one Of the opinions as the. one to be fol-
| alty) and that shall be considered the judg-
ment and be enforced
THE PENALTIES.
The penalties for using obscene, indecent
| or vulgar language within the meaning and
| intent Of this measure is entirely within the
| discretion Of the tribunal, and may he sus-
! pension for days, for months, for the unex-
| pired season, for year or for life, accord
| ing 10 the cQnQltlOnS, circumstances ana
| nature of the offense, it being the sentiment
| of the league that creates this law that an
unwarranted, unprovoked and brutal use of
| vulgarity to a spectator or within the pres
| ence of spectators and within the hearing
| OF ladies should debar the offender forever
| from service with his club or with any
| either club member of this league or subject
| to its Jurisdiction The extreme penalty
proposed in this measure, namely--life ex-
| pulsion-shall require the unanimous APP
| prevail of the three members of the tribunal,
and provided, also. before imposing such a
| penalty, the accused shall be notified that
| he can defend in person and by counsel, if
he elects, in which event the president of
| the tribunal shall call a meeting of said
board at some city to be selected by him.
most convenient to the members and the
| accused.
That justice may be done and no wrong
| committed. it shall be competent for either
parties to a case submitted to the tribunal
to show under oath the character and
standing OF those who make the charges
and give evidence. and before. the life ex-
| pulsion" can be imposed the accused may
| If he elect, have the opportunity of cross
examining the witnesses against him. by
deposItions There shall be no appeal from
n decision by the tribunal or q majority for
{. rehearing or reopening of the case. ex-
cept by unanimous vote of the board OF d.
ectors. based upon new evidence.
The tribunal shall be selected by the Ma
tional League with due regard for fitness.