The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-20
w. III. watkins to De Temporary Sail
ing Master, with Havener, Koch,
Irwin and White as Mates.
ALL THE DETAILS ARRANGED
AND THE NATIONAL AGREEMENT
SIGNED BEFORE ACCOUNTING.
Important Change i'm Drafting Clause
Thal Gives the New League n Right
to Reserve Five Players.

NEW YORK, Jan. ly.-The magnateS OF
the new American Association completed
their three days session at the Hotel MARI
borough tonight and the majority of them
have left for their homes. The final de-
tails of the organization have been COM
pleted and temporary officers chosen. The
national agreement has been signed.
The promoters of the new organization.
the associations committee, consisting OF
Messrs. Watkins, Irwin, Koch and Hav-
ener, were at the Fifth-avenue Hotel to
meet the national board of arbitration at
ID o'clock. Only two members Of the ma
tional board-Soden of Boston, and Hart
Of Chicago-were on hand, but they were
there with power to act. No time was lost
by the association men in making known
their wants. They informed the members
of the national board that they were per-
manently organized. and that they desired
protection. The constitution of the new
organization was then gone over: 1t con-
formed in every way to the terms Of the
national agreement. except in relation to
drafting. All the details of the organiza-
ton were discussed.
When the conference ended the announce
ment was made that the league had grant
&c It's pTOlecllOn u TIE ucWCOiici ia ouoC-
ball. The exact status of the organization
in national agreement has not been OFF,
cially agreed on as yet. In the matter Of
classification the new American Associa-
ton will practically be on the same footing
as the old association. AS matters now
stand the new body is in a class by itself.
between the Eastern League and Western
Association and the National League.
AS to the matter of drafting players, the
national agreement modified in that it
gives to the owner Of each club in the
American Association the right to reserve
any five players on his team he may see
fit to keep at the end of each year. All
the terms of the agreement entered into
by the big League and the new association
are to run for one year, with the privilege
of renewal. This was done to conform with
the ten-year agreement of the National
League clubs which expire at the conclu-
sion of 1901.
At the conclusion of to-day's session w.
H Watkins, of Indianapolis, who, by the
way. has been chosen as the temporary
nt-secretary-treasurer of the new
association, said:
I'VE are leaving New York entirely salts
fed with the success we have met. We
have arranged our circuit, effected our
organization and received the protection of
the National League. A few minor details
are all that remain to be completed. Com
mittees have been appointed to look after
these. The new association is placed In a
class similar to the occupied by the
old American Association. The protection
granted us in the matter of drafting is
ample. Under our agreement the very best
part of any of our teams may be retained
by the club owners. At least five men-any
five that can be picxed-are exempt from
drafting. The league mas met us fairly
and granted nearly all asked for. Our
organization is in The best shape possible
financially and our teams will be ready
opening of the year. Our next meeting
the schedule meeting-wil be held very
soon after the regular schedule meeting of
the League. Where, we have not decided
bat probably it will be one of the cities of
our circuit. AS to our constitution, it
conforms entirely to the national agreement
except as to the right of drafting. In form
our players contracts will be substantially
the same as those of the National League
Our organization will start with the
best of prospects and we fully expect to see
a new boom In the national game"
The question as to whom the permanent
officers of the new association will be is
problematical.
of the new association was chosen. 1t
consists of Havener, of Milwaukee,; KOCH
of Detroit: Irwin, of Boston, an. White
of Washington.
1t is probable the National League teams
will turn their surplus players over to the
American Association. When the new re-
serve rule, which limits the number of
players to be carried by each team to six
teen, goes into effect on April j, there will
be at least ninety players oD the market
These, or the majority Of them, will be
turned over TO the American Association.