The herald., 1898-02-28
NATIONAL LEAGUE MAGNATES
HOLD THEIR ANNUAL MEETING
AT ST. LOUIS
One Matter of Importance to Be
Considered Is Diamond
Rowdyism

ST. LOUIS. Mo-. Feb. 27,-The represent
atives of the National Baseball league will
meet In this city tomorrow to make final
arrangements for next seasons baseball
games.
The innovation in the schedule making
| Is that this years series will be composed OF
TWO games instead of three, as heretofore
which means that the baseball teams will
nave little rest from the beginning to the
end OF the season, but will be kept continu-
ally on the jump from town to town.
important points will be brought up, the
principal one being, perhaps, the farming
OUT question. which Is unjust to players
as well as to clubs Under the present
baseball laws one club can corral promis-
ing young players, and, not having iTnme-
diate use for them, farm them out or sub
| lease them to some minor club at whatever
salary they ask. When they have devel-
oped into good, fast players. for which any
team would pay them twice as much as
they have been receiving, they cannot 60
for the league club has a string around
their necks. When the big club is ready
1t will take the playeNs, and the club does
SO at the same small salary, even though
half dozen other clubs, knowing of their
worth. would be willing to pay them more
The earned run rule has caused much
teiih III UdSoDdll circles SINCE Inc CLOSE OIL
last season and an amendment Of 1t seems
certain.
The delegates while here will be the
guests of b. S. Muckenfuss, president OF
the St Louis club. He is we'll known In
baseball circles, and will represent ST.
Louis in the National league meeting.
MOST or the magnates are expected to at.
tend the annual meeting tomorrow. Pres
ident N. Z. Young of the National league
and his Robert TT of q
national board, came in tonight. The fol
lowing league cities are represented by
their presidents: Boston, A. H.. Soden
Brooklyn, G. H. Roberts; Washington, Geo.
w. Wagner; Philadelphia, A. j. Roach
Chicago, James A. Hart; Cincinnati, John
T. Brush; st. Louis, B. S. Muckenfuss
President Hanton of Baltimore, president
De Hass Robinson of Cleveland, President
II. c. Pulliam of Louisville and President
w. H. Watkins of Pittsburg will be here
tomorrow. New York will not be repre-
sented by President Andrew Freedman
who has given his proxy to A H. Soden OF
Boston.
The adoption of the schedule. the draft
ing of new rules, and especially one abol-
ishing rowdy ball, the appointment of a
new chief of umpires and the naming of a
new staff of fsumpires are a few of the i'm.
portant matters that will come up. 1t is
said that the rules abolishing rowdy ball
will cause long and heated debate Pres.
ident Robinson Of Cleveland has been quot
ed as saying that the magnates and not
the players were responsible for rowdyism
on the ball field.
In an interview he is quoted as saying: ~
shall take the stand at st. Louis that for
the offense player be suspended thirty
days without pay. That Is very severe
punishment on him, and he would not care
to take a chance of losing another thirty
days pay. At the same time 1t is pun.
tshment for the owner. who loses the
services of a valuable player for thirty
days"
1t Is also said to be Mr.. Robinson's inten-
tion to present a resolution requiring each
club president to sign a bond agreeing tc
forfeit $1,000 If one of his players is guilty
of using foul language on the ball field.
Ned Hanlon of Baltimore will be as ard
ent champion of the black list rule as
Robinson Is an opponent
President Nick Young briefly outlined
the work of the meeting: 1.-THE board of ar
bitrarlon," said he, Twill meet tomorrow
morning and dispose of a large number o
minor matters coming before it. The reg
ular meeting of the National league viii
convene Monday evening at o'clock, anG
the first matter of Importance coming be.
fore 1t for action, after the routine bust
ness, will be the playing schedules. Tht
meeting, as usual, will be held behind
closed doors and the proceedings will bt
given out after adjournment Followinp
this the question of new rules, the naming
OF the new chief of umpires and his assist
ants for the coming season and the selec
ton of a successor to the late Charles
Byrne of Brooklyn on the board of arbi
tration will be in order"
John L. Brush will present motion thai
the league adopt some sort of testimonial
or memorial for Chas. H. Byrne.
The Republic tomorrow will say: From
reliable source it was learned thai
the st. Louis club will ask the leagu,
to advance $4,000, to be expended as fol
lows: One thousand dollars in advance
money for players; $1,000 for Transportation
and training expenses. and $1,000 for putting
the park in shape for next season.
"The league cannot take Won der Ahe's
franchise from him." said a prominent
magnate, until his club fails to meet it.
contract obligations. We cannot allow
Won der Abe to sell out his interests w,
all synlpathize with him in his financia
misfortunes and are disposed to give him
helping hand
WILL, MAKE AN OFFER
LOUISVILLE, KY, Feb. 27.-Represent
atives of a syndicate of Louisville whisk,
men left tonight for st. Louis, with order.
to buy If possible, the franchise of the st
Louis baseball club. The syndicate intends
to buy the club II favorable terms can bt
secured, reorganize 1t and place it on
paying basis. This will not in any way
affect the makeup of the Louisville club
LOCAL PLAYERS
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27.-The various
games In the Cycle Club Baseball leagu,
schedule for today were postponed on ac
count of the muddy condition of tn
grounds. They will be played Off on opei
dates between now and the end of the sea
son in April.