The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-01

Sept. 80 1901.
Dear Sir-The minor leagues have
recently received notice from President
Young that the National agreement
Will be abrogated and terminated by
the National League on Sept 30, 1901,
and not again renewed.
While such sudden and arbitrary ac-
ton was entirely unexpected, and
WhilN by many considered unWise for
the best interests of professional base
ball and an injustice to the minor
leagues which have always been loyal
to the National agreement, it is not
the purpose of the letter to criticize the
action Of the National League in this
matter. but simply to acquaint you
with the fact that in consequence OF
the National Leagues abrogation OF
the National agreement. which for so
many years has been considered the
bulwark of professional baseball. the
minor leagues have banded together
for future protection, and organized an
entirely Independent association, under
the name of The National Association
of Professional Baseball Leagues. of
which ! have the honor to be itg pres
ident
The membership Of this new organi-
cation Is composed of IL leagues, rep
resenting the Western League. the
Eastern League, the Western Associa-
ton, the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa
League, the State League, the Connec-
ticut State League, the New England
League, the Southern League, the Vir-
ginia- North Carolina League, the Pa
enc Northwest League. and the Cali
tornia stale League, employ - in all
at least 1000 professional players
The above membership in the Ma
tonal Association of Professional Base
ball Leagues includes practically all
the strongest baseball clubs in the
United States and Canada, excepting
the is club members in the National
and American Leagues.
While it is TO be regretted that a
baseball war now exists between the
National and American Leagues, vet
the minor leagues are in no way parties
to it or responsible for it. and as the
minor leagues desire to remain neutral.
we respectfully appeal to and request
that the individual club members OF
each of the National and American
Leagues express their Willingness as
/ Individual clubs to respect the reserve
and contract rights of the minor league
clubs with their players, the minor
| league clubs members of the National
Association Of Professional Baseball
\ Leagues to reciprocate by respecting
! the reserve and contract rights of the
| ciuD members of the National and
American League with their players.
or such individual clubs Of these two
leagues as may be willing to Join with
US in this reciprocity arrangement.
While our association feels itself
sufficiently strong and competent to
protect its own interests. tyet respect
for each others contracts and rights
seems so proper, fair and necessary
Tor the good repute of professional
baseball, that as President of the Ma
tional Association of Baseball Leagues
am prompted to make this PROPOSE
lion with the hope that sufficient
number, If not all the individual clubs
members of the two warning National
and American leagues will co-operate
with the National Association of Pro-
fessional Baseball Leagues on these
important and essential business
points.
A similar letter has been mailed to
the president of each club member or
the National and American leagues
and / respectfully ask for an early re-
ply as to the attitude of your club on
these matters.
Respectfully yours.
p T. POWERS.
President National Association of Pro-
fessional Baseball Leagues.