The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-31
GIVES OUT A FEW POINTS
JOHN It. BRUSH THROWS SOME
LIGHT ON BASEBALL SITUATION.
Talks of Circuit Reduction and the
Proposed American Association
Two Clubs willing to BE Dropped.

John T. Brush, chairman of the National
League circuit committee, has at last
reached the point where he thought he
would give the public something on the
baseball question and yesterday he sent
out the following signed statement regard
ing the baseball situation at this time:
THE National League and American AS
ISOLATION consists of twelve clubs located
in the following nameo cities: New York.
Brooklyn. Boston. Philadelphia, Baltimore.
Washington. Pittsburg, Cleveland, st.
Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago and Louisville
An agreement which has two years longer
to run makes 1t impossible to change this
circuit during this period without the con-
sent of each one of the twelve clubs.
While this is not an ideal baseball circuit
for the major league. 1t is the only one
possible at present unless by unanimous
consent another can be substituted.
1.-THE circuit committee recently held a
meeting for the purpose of discussing the
desirability of reduction from twelve to
ten or eight clubs, and IL thought advis-
able to ascertain upon what terms and
under what conditions 1t could be brought
about. The committee has not yet made
it's report to the league, and when it does.
it's report, If it recommends a reduction
of the league, must be approved by each
and every club, or reduction is impossible.
This much may be said. that Cleveland and
Louisville are willing TO retire from the
major organization, will continue if de-
sired. These two cities are also willing
to enter some other organization that is
operated under the national agreement
If the National League and American
Association should reduce its circuit 1t
may resume its former title and relin-
quish the name of American Association,
which it inherited at the amalgamation
in Indianapolis in 1891. A petition has
been received by President Young, asking
for territorial rights and protection I'M
der the national agreement for BASEBALL
lpQ OH N ia a.
ton of Professional Baseball Clubs, to
consist of eight clubs, including Chicago
and st. Louis in the West, and Boston
and Philadelphia in the East, with such
as may in the future be determined upon,
not In conflict with organizations or clubs
parties to the agreement. Claim has been
made for all rights to the use of the name
american Association whenever it is re-
linquished by the National League and
American Association Of Professional Base
ball Clubs.
The present organization is in possession
of fully equipped baseball parks in twelve
cities. and will certainly not relinquish
their property interests except Tor cause,
and if it should be deemed necessary or
advisable for an American Association to
enter the field, the petition will be granted,
and a schedule not in conflict with that
adopted by the National League can be
selected which will give continuous games
in Chicago and ST. Louis in the West. with
opportunities to complete the circuit by
organizing clubs in Louisville. Cleveland,
Cincinnati or Pittsburg as may be desired:
and in Boston, New YORK, Philadelphia
and either Baltimore, Washington or
Brooklyn, az n light be desired. 1t Is quite
| certain that If there is baseball organic
alton known as the American Association,
IL will be one which is playing a schedule
not in conflict with that adopted by the
National League, and the organization will
be operated under the provisions of the
national agreen ent. Both the National
League and the American association thus
organized may be expected TO make de-
| termined contest against any organization
which atten pts to operate without that
financial safety valve called the reserve
rule. The entire history Of baseball can
be drawn upon to prove that the reserve
| rule is as essential TO the successful oper-
alton of the game as the sun and rain
are to the life of vegetation. To operate
| without it would be equivalent to saying
| in the commercial world that the debtor
need not pay his debts. There woiilo, nc
doubt, be a great many people who would
| advocate such condition OF affairs, but
| 1T would be destructive Of prosperity and
property interests. The league will de-
| termine it's position after the committee
makes it's report, and 1t may be relied
upon now, as il has at all times during
| the quarter Of q century just passed, tc
protect it's interests and legislate for the
best interest of the national game"