The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-03

NEW YORK, March 1.-The annual spring
meeting of the National league magnates,
which has been going at the Fifth Avenue
hotel for the past three days, came
abrupt ending tonight. Contrary to eXpecta-
tons the magnates finished their business
during three-hour session, which began al
o'clock Here is what the magnates ac-
complished in the three hours:
They passed the Rogers amendments to
the constitution without any change; they
passed the Brush report the board OF
discipline, after making some important
changes; they adopted the report of the rules
committee after certain notifications had
been made; they passed resolution which
has direct bearing upon the disposition of
the st. Louis franchise; they did not take
any action upon the Philadelphia admission
question, and Col. Rogers did not bring the
matter before his brother magnateS; they did
not adopt a schedule for the coming season;
one amendment was passed to the National
agreement; they extended a vote of thanks
TO the committee en- constitution, rules and
discipline; they adjourned subject to the call
OF the president, which means that when the
magnates next convene business can be trans
acted under three-fourths vote, instead of
a vote of all the members, as would be nee
elSary in case of q special meeting
John T. Brush, of Cincinnati, and Frank
De Haas Robson, of Cleveland did not at
other business
AS soon as the magnates got into session
they took up the constitution. Col. Rogers.
of Philadelphia read his proposed amend
. ments, and after some discussion they were
unanimously adopted, without any materiai
changes. Here are the amendments present,
ed by Mr.. Rogers:
RULES ADOPTED.
Section y. The board shall have'a general
supervision and management of all the busi-
ness and affairs of the league including the
award Of the championship and such other
duties expressly and implicitly conferred upon
them by this constitution or by legislation
made in pursuance thereof: 1t shall be the
sole and exclusive tribunal for the trial of
managers or players for violations of this
constitution, of the playing rules or other
rules of discipline, unless the league by
three-fCurths vote of its club members shall
otherwise decide II shall be sole and exclusive
to hear and determine disputes between clubs,
complaints against manager of club or
player Of any ether club or by a manager or
player against his own club, or by an appeal
of a player against fine, suspension or expul-
sion OF his own club and, generally, for the
adjudication of all issues of law or fact aris-
ing out of this constitution the playing rules
thereof.
Section 20. The board shall have authority
TO impose any just fine or pecuniary penalty
on club, manager a player if war
ranted by their findings and decisions and
they may impose the expenses of trials and
hearings one or both parties to the con-
troversy. But such fines, penalty and expense
may be RENTED by three-fourths vote of
the league, upon appeal duly made and heard
at annual or special meeting.
Section 2S The president of the league shall
have power upon proof, to suspend for a
definite period and to impose fine not ex-
ceeding 5000 upon any league manager or
player guilty in public of gross misbehavior
including intoxication, fighting, quarreling,
whether off the playing field during
the season, where the same in his opinion is
calculated to bring disrepute upon the Ma
tional league or game. Such fine can only be
RENTED by the board of directors after a
hearing upon appeal duly presented.
Section 80 relates to umpires, their appoint
ment, qualifications, salaries and duties.
Section 10 provides for the appointment of
supervisor of umpires and defines his duties
BOSTON SCORES A VICTORY.
The Boston magnates scored a complete
victory in their fight on the rules, which
were discussed.
The rule relating 10 grounds was wiped out
entirely. Substantially all of the other rules
submitted TO the league by the committee
consisting of Messrs. Hart, Reach and Han
Ion, were adopted.
The rule relating to the position of the
catcher was passed without dissenting vote
This rule prevents catcher from playing out
side the lines of his position in order to field
hunted balls.
Rule 10, relating to team uniforms, was
chansed so as to provide that any player who
sspp e 4r on the field in a uniform which diff.
fers from those of his fellow players shall
rot be permitted to take part in a game.
Rule 20, section /. relating to benches for
each club must furnish players benches
placed upon portion of the ground not less
than twenty-five feet outside the players
lines. The benches must be covered and
closed at the back. This rule was changed
with the idea of preventing the spectators
from talking to the players, and vice versa.
The rule also provides that no person other
than the managers and players shall be al
lowed on the bench. The rule also provides
that all players. other than those assigned tC
the coaching lines or at the bat must remain
seated. For violations of the rule section
is inserted in the rule by which umpires may
fine a player for violating it. The rule will
also have the effect of keeping a president 81
a club off the field or bench.
BALK DEFINED
Rule y relates to balks, and is materially
changed. There are eight sections to the
rule, as follows:
l. Any motion made by the pitcher to de.
liver the ball to the bat or TO base without
delivering it.
, Throwing by the pitcher to any base
to catch the base runner, without first step
ping directly toward the said base before
throwing the ball.
B. Any delivery by the ball to the bal
by pitcher while his pivot foot is not il
contact with the pitchers plate and he il
not facing the batsman, as defined in rule 20
the bat by the pitcher while net in the po
siton defined in rule %.
3. The holding of the ball by the pitcher
So long as, in the opinion of the umpire, tc
Decay the game unnecessarily.
t. Standing in the position and making