The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-22
HEAVY BLOW TO
AMER|CANNL- league.
Court Hold Reserve Clause in
National Contract Binding
MANY PLAYERS AFFECTED
Lajoie, Mccarthy, Brady, sehreken-
COST and Several Other Noted
Baseball Men Restrained From
Playing Under Decision.

Philadelphia, April 21..-The Supreme
Court today reversed the decision of the
Court of Common Pleas No. In the case
of Napoleon Lajoie, VS.. the Philadelphia
National Lea giIe Baseball Club. This de-
cision upholds the validity of the reverse
clause in the National League contracts.
Lajoie, who formerly played second base
for the National League club In this city
signed with the Philadelphia American
League club for the season of 1901 and
1902. The Philadelphia National League
baseball club. through Treasurer John ].
Rogers entered suit to restrain Jajoie
from playing with the American League.
The lower court held that the reserve
clause was illegal and Colonel Rogers car
ried the case to the Supreme Court where
the decision was reversed. If this deci-
sion stands it will affect all players, who
were subject to the reserve rule, and who
are now playing with the American
League. ssl
The lower courts decision bore espe-
cially on the ten days release notice
clause and todays decision, is, in fact,
that this clause is equitable.
In rendering the decision the Supreme
Court says: THE bill as filed contem-
plated only the services of defendant for
the season of 1901 but it is stated in the
argument of counsel that since the hear
ing In the court below and prior to the
argument in this court, the plaintiff by
due notice renewed the current contract
for the season of 1902"
Manager Shettslne of the Philadelphia
National League Club said:
1T is likely that all National League
players now playing with the American
League will be ordered to report at once
at the National League grounds and in
the event of failing to do so suits will be
brought In the cities In which they are
now playing. asking for an injunction in
restraining them from taking part in any
American League games.
Players Affected.
Chicago, April A.-President Ban John
son of the American League refrsed to
talk about the Pennsylvania Supreme
Court decision that the National League
reserve clause was binding and could lie
enforced.
President Hart of the Chicago National
League club, who is a member of the
National League governing committed
said:
This decision brings back to the Ma
tional League over two dozen players
who jumped to the American League. |
cannot see it in any other light than a
fatal blow to the rival league"
The News printed the following list of
players that will be affected by the de-
cigion:
Chicago-Garvin, Sullivan. E. McFar-
land. DAILY. Strange, Davis. Green, Jones.
Baltimore-Hughes, McGinnity, Robin
son. McGrow, Kelly, McGann, Selbach,
Seymour.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Frazer. Bernhard,
Dugglesby. Lave, Cross, Monte Cross,
Hartsell. Flick.
Cleveland-Schreckeng Bradley, Nc
Carthy.
Detrot-Mercer, Miller, Gleason, Bar
rett, Holmes, Mcclure.
st. Louis-Powell, Harper, Sudhoff Pad
den. Wallace, Burkett Heidrick,
Washington-Orth Carrick, Townsend.
Wolverton. Delehanty, Kieister.
Boston--Young. Dineen, Warner Col
Inns, Hickman, Stahl, Freeman.