The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-03-10
NATlONM LEAGUE
1Eagnates Complete ine Reduction Of
the Circuit to Eight clubs-Doubls
nmniral Hvstarn Ahnlinhad.

the Circuit to Eight clubs-Doubls
UmpirS System Abolished.
NEW YORK, March s.-The National
league magnates wound up their three
days session tonight The last day
was marked by a six hours session. For
the Arst time IN almost three years the
president OF the New York club at
tended meeting. He made a speech,
iniwhich he asked that the league make
good the annual rsntal Of Manhattan
Field This was acceded to. Whether
or not Mr.. Freedman Affixed his sigma
tpre to the circuit reduction agreement
tonight the other members of the
meeting refused TO disclose. It Is
matter Of fofmality merely, however.
for both personally and through his
representative, Mr.. n. Knowles, he has
agreed to the adoption Of the report of
the circuit, committee which calls for
an elght-club league.
Tbs playing schedule for the coming
season was not made public tonight
A rough draft Of the schedule was pre-
sehted 70 the meeting by President
Young and was approved. Mr. Young
wus instructed to perfect the schedule.
1t ID expected to be ready for pubiica-
tlon within two weeks. The schedule
viii call for. 40 games, each club play
ing twenty with It's opponents. The
season will open on April u. The meet
ing also passed resolutions instructlng
President Young 70 make out the UNI
plre assignments for the entire season
and to publish the same prior to the
opening Of the season. The assignments
Rre TO be adhered to strictly.
John d. Day was elected supervisor
OF yumplres and players, at salary OF
$500.
Instead Of leaving the selection Of the
umplres to President Young the meet
ing elected the stan Tor the year. as
foiIsws. Robert EmsIIc G. Edward
Swartwood, Thomas II. Connolly, Henry
O'Day and Tim Hurst. The double UNI
pire system has bean done away with,
and for the coming season there VIII
be but one master OF the field"
The home plate will in the future be
turned so that the square edge instead
of the corner viii face the pitcher. This
will do away with the uncertainty
whether a pitched ball that cuts the
corner is ball or a strike. y
The last clause of section 81 was
stricken out, and now league clubs will
be able to plcy exhibition games With
outside clubs on open dates In the play
ing season
The report of the circuit committee
was unanimously adopted. This is a
lengthy affair and specifics the manner
Of payment for the four franchises
bought by the league. By the terms Of
the report Washington sells It's entire
plant to the league for $4,000. The
league takes all Of the Washington
players except those who were sold
prior to the adoption OF the report. The
Baltimore club VIII receive $4,000 for
Its franchise, hut remains In control OF
its players. For the Cleveland property
the RobInsons will receive S250O0. and
OF this amount $4,000 is for the fran
chise. The leaEue assumes possession
of the plant Of the club and lis grounds.
for which II agrees 10 pay the club Sl5.-
900 within three years, Louisville Will
receive $4,000 for rs franchise.
To provide for the indebtedness thus
assumed the agreement provides for the
adoption OF q sinking fund. This Will
be done by setting aside five per cent.
Of the gross receipts OF each game
played by eoch club.
A resolution was adopted providing
that the league shall reimburse the
Baltimore management to the extent OF
$500 for legal and incidental ex-
penses incurred in fighting the Amer
lean association In It's attempt to secure
Union park.
On motion OF Colonel Rogers, Of Phil
adelphia. President Young was instruct
ed to notify President Johnson, of the
American league, that the location OF
n club In Chicago would be violation
Of the national agreement, and that the
offender wculd be subject to the pre-
scribcd penalties
Al the conclusion Of the meeting Pres
ident Young announced that Mercer the
Washington pitcher had been turned
over to New York. Colonel John l.