The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-04
EASTERN LEAGUE MEETING.

The annual schedule meeting of the
Eastern League OF Professional Baseball
clubs was held at the Victoria Hotel.
New York, yesterday. When President
p. T. Powers called the roll he found
the following delegates present: Mont
reai-James T. shearer. G.. c. Nicholson
and Charles l.. Dooley; Toronto-Ed. Bar
row; Buffalo-James Franklin; Rochester
George w. Sweeney; Syracuse--Frank
j. Leonard Providence-tieorge y.
Cressy. w. II. Draper and W. J. Muir
ray; Worcester-P. II. Hurley: Hartford
Charles Soby and William Shindle.
For the first time I'm the history OF the
league the meeting was called exactly
on time. After a few minor details had
been taken care of, President Powers,
who had previously been appointed 10
confer with the Protective Association
OF Professional Baseball Players. an
nounced that he had drawn up a new
form OF contract after "A conference with
President thinner and Attorney Harry
Taylor.
Powers said that the concessions made
to the Protective association included
an agreement not 10 sell or trade n
player during the playing season. which
means that the clubs must carry all OF
their men or release them outright. An
other concession, Powers explained. was
a three days notice of release in the
leased without any notice.
The Protective association wanted 10
have the usual 10 days clause inserted,
but a compromise was reached on three
days. incidentally, the Eastern league
players have granted TO their clubs an op-
ton by which their services can be sold
between seasons to any other organiza-
ton equal i'm rank TO the Eastern.
President Powers said that he had con-
WINGED the Protective association men
that the Eastern league being a minor
Organization, was not 10 be held TO so
important account as the National AMI
the American leagues. and for that rea-
son these agreements were hsrmoniously
made.
This year the rules committee decided
that the pitcher must deliver the ball
TO the batsman within 20 seconds after
he takes his position at the plate. The
pitcher il also prohibited from deliver
ing the ball TO any other player after
the batter takes his place I'm the box.
For each infraction. the pitcher will be
penalized ball" This rule has been
adopted by the Eastern league.
The board of directors had one OF the
most puzzling cases on record 10 solve
1t involved player Al Wagner, a brother
of Hans Wagner of Pittsburg. IL seems
that Wagner year ago was the prop
erty of the Kansas city American league
club. and was farmcd to the Toronto
club with the stipulation that $500 should
he paid for his release II Toronto saw
~ TO keep him. When the American
league broke away from the National
league. Kansas City lost all rights TO
Wagner's services and he became n free
agent
He opened negotiations with Syracuse
and Rochester. Syracuse accepted his
terms, and the national board OF arbitra-
tion was so notified. Wagner wanted
,,oo ,N sdye money on !,no and was informed
tract. a check would ne mailed TO him
Then Wagner turned TO the Rochester
club, and signed an agreement 10 go
there, the paper being dated ahead OF
the agreement with Syracuse.
As there was a wranglc between tho
Rochester and Syracuse clubs over this
point. Wagner listened 10 an offer from
the Providence club, signed a regular
contract and accepted advance money
The board of directors decided that Wag-
ner would have 60 remain with Provi-
dence because of the existence OF an
actual contract. but President Powers
was instructed TO censure Wagner for
what appears 20 have been sharp prac-
tice Buckenberger Is 10 be roprims nded
FOR his Rart In tho proceedings.
The sctedulc was then adopted lust as
President Powers had complied a. The
season will open on April . and viii end
on Sept. Il.
The opening games arc Montreal at
Runalo. Toronto IT Rochester,. Syracuse
~ Worcester. Hartford at Providence
The Canadian holidays will he filed with
Bunalo al Toronto and Rochester a.
Montreal on Aus. > tho civic holidays
Providence at Montreal and Syracuse at
Toronto on July :. Dominion day
The American holiday dates are. Dec
oration day--Toronto at Buffalo. Mont
real at Rochester. syracuse nnd Hart