The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-18
American League Does Away With Foul
Strike Rule, as Bad.
Favorites Had No Chance Under the
New Starting System.

Chicago. Dec 1s-The masnates OF the
American Baseball league at their annual
meeting here yesterday rescinded the foul
strike rule, adopted last year as an ex-
pertinent, and declared in favor OF a
scheduIe OF lb4 games IN order to meet
the extension OF the National league
schedule The playing season will open
April Is.
The vote against the foul strike rule was
unanimous and a committee consisting of
Comzskey, Chicago: Farrell. New York,
and Kilfoyle of Cleveland was appointed
20 meet with the rlIaes committee OF the
National league and try TO effect a COM
promise on the rule
The National league. at its recent meet
ing IN New York. declared In favor OF
tanis rule, and II is the general belief that
considerable trouble will be experienced
before substitute rule satisfactory TO
both leagues can be agreed upon. During
the discussion of the matter at today's
meeting suggestions for a compromise
were offered by several OF the magnates,
but nothing definite was decided upon.
The suggestion OF President Shibo OF
Philadelphia. that only the first foul be
called a strike and that the other fouls
be treated as they used TO be before the
adoption OF the foul strike rule last year
seemed to meet the approval of most OF
the masnates. and Il was said tonight that
an effort would be made by the committee
when Il fnet In joint session with the
National league committee to reach a set
tlement OF the question along these lines.
The affairs OF the Pacific Coast league
came UP for discussion during the meet
ing, but the question WIS referred by
President Johnson, who was given power
TO act for the American league In any
attempt that might be made to get the
Independent league on the coast TO Join
with the organizations this side OF the
Rocky mountains
Another session will be held" today. when
several matters OF Importance will he
taken up for settlement. 81
There were rumors last night OF the
trading OF several OF the plays. but as
yet no announcement OF any deals that
may have been made was given ,ut.
After the regular meeting had ad-
journed the board OF directors held
meeting and went through the formality
OF awarding the pennant to the Boston
club.
That the American league is still IN
favor OF peace. despite its differences with
the National league, was shown by tho
fact that at todayts session the sction
OF the American league committee on the
new national agreement was formally APP
proved and ratified. The meeting also
decided on the use OF players contract.
uniform with that recently adopted at the
National league meeting. This will make
Il necessary for player to report two
weeks earlier for the spring training, or
be subject TO fine OF 500.
One OF the important developments OF
today Is expected 70 be definite announce
ment regarding the new owners OF the
Washington club. President Johnson to-
night stated that the Washington matter
had been adjusted, and intimated that at
tomorrows session the news would be
given to the public. II Is probable that
the meeting win be finished tomorrow
night