The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-18
QUORUM WANTING
Basketball Directors Fail to
Take Action on MiIlbury's
Latest Protest
DID FATHER MATHEWS
VIOLATE A RULE :?
Local Players Claim to Have
Been Within Spirit of Six
Man Provision

Through failure to observe the rules
providing for the calling of a special
meeting of the directors of the Central
Massachusetts basket ball league, no
House yesterday A sufficient num-
ber of directors to form a quorum, was
not present. A meeting win be held
Sunday, at which the protest of<John
F. Cronan Of Millbury on the Father
Mathew-Millbury game in Father Ma
thew hall. Thursday evening, will be
acted on.
The protest was the primary cause
for the call issued for yesterdays meet
ing by the secretary, John F. Cronan,
but he neglected to inform President f.
H. Sawyer of Hudson, as the rules re-
quire. A little by-play occurred at
the Sherwood House when several d.
rectors met. Manager ]. H. Thomp-
son of Father Mathew team questioned
the legality of the meeting, on the
ground that the president had not
sanctioned the call as the constitution
of the league requires. Mr.. Cronan
said he had notified Mr.. Sawyer, but
Mr.. Thompson insisted he had
not, as Mr.. Sawyer told him no later
than 10 o'clock yesterday, that he had
heard nothing in regard to meet
ing.
The fuss which Secretary Cronan has
started is over the playing of six men
by the Father Mathew team. The
constitution was recently amended so
that but six men can take part in
game. A fresh man can be subSti-
tuted in the second half. or can take
the place of any man. sick or injured
at any time during the game The
Father Mathew men substituted Smith
for Bradley during the match Thurs
day night. According to their inter-
probation of the rule, they were easily
within their province in doing so. But
to make assurance doubly sure they Sc
cured the consent of Capt. Crossman
of the Millbury team to the substitu
ton. Bradley, who retired, was in
no condition to play, being confined to
his bed through Illness before the
match. He entered the contest against
the advice of every well-wisher
The spirit of the rule was not broken
in any event The purpose of the rule
was to prevent teams playing several
fresh men in the second half, which
would give a home team a big advan-
tage, as several good men would be
available, While the visitors would be
handicapped The guarantee of the
league is but SIS, so that a visiting
team does not take a large number of
substitutes with it. Under the old
rules that allowed limitless number
of men, an entirely new team could
be substituted in the second half by
the home team, to play against the
tired men of the VisitinGg cam.
There was no such purpose in the
substitution of the Father Mathew men
and even if the rule was transgressed,
it was under an agreement between the
captains. In all sporting associations
when the time for competition arrives,
the regular playing rules are often set
aside by agreement Of captains, and
no thought is given it. In base ball.
for instance, a man without uniform
is allowed to play if the captain of the
opposing team allows base runner is
given a substitute on the opposing cap
tain's consent, and various other points
which the rules forbid are allowed.
Smiths substitution in the game did
not bring victory to the Father Ma
theWs, as the score was 10 to 10, entire
ly too large margin to have one man
| responsible.
Mllbury team is credited with plan
ming a scheme to get rid of superfiu-
Gus players. There are nine players
under contract with the team which
number is entirely too large, since the
six-men rule was inaugurated, But the
itself from the contract of paying the
men except by disbandment, and di-
rectors of the league expect the resig
nation of the club at any time. The
management does not intend to retire
from the league, however but will seek
admission Immediately after its res
ignation is accepted under another or
ganization.
The DISARMAMENT Of the club will free
the management of it's obligations un-
der it's present contracts, and when it
reorganizes, it will renew contracts
with only half dozen men. Such ac-
ton as is credited to the Millbury team
Will compel the team to sacrifice the
$25 guarantee at present posted with
the treasurer of the league. But the
FORGETTING of that amount will save the
management many dollars from the
present expenses of contracts with
players.
There will be two games in Father
Mathew hall this week. The first will
take place this evening with the Father
Mathew and Marlboro teams as oppo-
nents. The Marlboro team is the
strongest in the league in the standing
of the clubs and on every appearance
in this city, has put up a good exhi-
bition. The Father Mathew lads have
improved considerably of late, putting
up fast contest They are determined
to bring the Marlboro men back a peg
in the contest this evening.
Thursday night the Lyceums and
Milfords will play in Father Mathew
hall. 1t will be the first appearance of
the Milfords in this city against the
Lyceum men.