The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-13
National Baseball Organization De-
cides 90 Quit Protecting Its
Present Wards.
JOHN T. BRUsH's EXPLANATION
BIG WILL PAY NO DRAFT
ING FEES HEREAFTER.
D;recfor- adopt "a BIackIi~ting Rule
Hart and Johnson Max
ing Peace.

The board Of arbitration OF the Nationai
Baseball League has decided TO abolish the
national agreement. to take effect Sept 90
and the board of directors of the parent
baseball body has adopted a stringent rule
which will blacklist all players who have
Jumped contracts with National League
clubs. and also those who have disregarded
the reservation clause.
President John II. Brush returned from
New York yesterday and gave the informa-
ton regarding the action of the board or
arbitration. of which he Is a member. Dur
ing the afternoon he received kilograms
from President ~. T.. Young confirming
the action Of the board. and also relating
TO the action OF the board of directors In
promulgating an order to blacklist Offend
ing players
The action Of the board of arbitration Is
a surprise to the baseball world in general,
and many who have followed baseball do
not comprehend the step taken by the ma
jOr league. BY abolishing the national
agreement all minor leagues In the country
which have been under the protection OF
that agreement VIII have TO hustle for
themselves after this season, providing. OF
course. another agreement Is not made
next fall. The national agreement will be
come a matter of history after Sept %
That is the date for the ten-year agree
ment to expire. and at this time there
seems TO be little hope of another agree
ment being made Baseball men argue
tina. If there y.ere a possibility of another
agreement being formed next fall there
would be no occasion at this time TO take
action on the present asreemeht o,
Mr.. Brush was asked about the acuon
of the board of arbitration last night, ana
Just now IL will affect minor leagues
lit will mean that minor leagues will
h.x.o 20 Oaf ont and hustle for themselves.
said Mr.. Brush. The National League will
now have the power TO bid for players IN
anv league without having TO pay the
drafting price established for the protec-
ton of minor leagues, and can sign players
without having to dicker with cluD owners
in minor leagues.
What protection Will the minor leagues
have now" was asked.
"They will nave no protection under the
national agreement after Sept. 80. They
will simply have to do the best they can;
They might form some kim OF mutual
agreement; but they will not have the pro-
when the major league is reorganized
the coming fall will there be a new ma
tional agreement romulgated?"
THAT L cannot say, as IL would De cross
ing a bridge before it is reached
n MATTER OF DEFENSE.
Mr.. Brush would not give a reason for
the action of the board in abolishing the
agreement He merely said the board took
such action as was deemed advisable.
Ii is believed the National League desires
TO better fortify itself against the American
League and place itself in a position TO Sc
cure players from other leagues with as
small cost as possible for next season. Some
believe. however, il is "A step toward an
amicable settlement of the baseball war.
Regarding the rule made by the board OF
directors Mr.. Brush said the National
League will live ND to it. and will blacklist
all players who nave Jumped contracts
with National League clubs, or may jump
the League in the future. and will also
blacklist all players who have disregarded
the reservation clause with National
League clubs. The reservation clause has
been held invalid by courts. but the Ma
tional League will blacklist all players who
have ~disregarded IL.
President Watkins. of the Indianapolis
club, was asked last night how the action
of the National League in abolishing the
national agreement will affect Indianapo-
ls's prospects for baseball next season.
He said he had not heard OF the action of
the board of arbitration. and had nothing
TO say on the matter. He believes Indian
apolis is a good baseball town. and will
try to place this city in a good league next
year.