The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-27
READY FOR THE MINORS
MAJOR LEAGUES HAVE PREPARED
A NATIONAL AGREEMENT.
Farming Is Prohibited and Clubs Can
not Loan Playerx-Drafting
Price of Leagues.

BUFFALO, Aug. pa meeting in which
representatives of the National League, the
American League and the National Associa-
ton of Minor Leagues participated ended
tonight after a two days session. With
the draft of agreement drawn by the
minor league representatives before them
the major league officials drew up a care
fully worded agreement and submitted it at
the final meeting tonight. This agreement
will be acted upon at a meeting of the Ma
tional Association of Minor Leagues to be
held within the next ten days.
James A. Hart, of Chicago representa-
tive of the National League, said: I'VE
have conceded practically every demand of
the minor leagues. They will have absolute
control of their internal affairs. 1 think the
members of the National Association of
Minor Leagues will see the matter in the
same light at their meeting to be held with
in the next fortnight"
The new agreement is signed by President
Pulliam of the National League, and Pres
ident Ban Johnson. of the American. They,
with August Hermann, of Cincinnati. as
chairman, will form a national committee
to adjust such matters as may come up for
settlement before the major and minor
leagues.
The agreement says in part
The major leagues shall adopt all rules
governing the game of baseball.
The circuits of each major league shali
consist of the following cities: National
League-Boston. New York, Brooklyn, Phil
adelphia, Pittsburg, Chicago, St. Louis and
Cincinnati.
American League-Boston. New York,
Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland, De-
trOit, Chicago ana st. Louis
Neither major league circuits shall be
changed without the consent of the ma
jority of the clubs of each major league.
Contracts with players must be respected
under penalties specified in the agreement.
The right and title of major league club
to its players shall be absolute and can
only be terminated by release or failure
to reserve under the terms of this agree
ment by the club TO which player has
been under contract.
When a major league club serves notice
of release on one of its players, he shall be
ineligible to contract with club of an
other league if, during ten days after the
services of such notice of release, a club in
the league in which he has been playing
ball shall demand his services.
FARMING is PROHIBITED.
The practice of farming is prohibited. All
right or claim Of a major league club to
a player snail cease when such player be-
comes a member of minor league club,
and no arrangement between the clubs for
the loan or return of a player shall be bind
ing between the parties to it or recognized
by other clubs.
The right Of minor league club to its
players shall be absolute except that from
Aug. Is to Oct. 10 of each year major league
clubs shall have the privilege of selecting
players from national association clubs for
the following season upon payment of $50
for each player SO selected from clubs in
class A leagues, $500 for each player
so selected from clubs i'm class B
leagues, $500 for each player so
selected from clubs in class c leagues and
$500 for each player so selected from clubs
of lower class, the payments to be made
to the secretary of the committee as fol-
lows:
Thirty-three and one-third per cent. of
the amount when the selection is made
SO 1-3 Der cent. on April Is following, SO 1-3
per cent. on May Is following, the player
to revert to the club from which he was
selected if the selecting club defaults on any
of the payments; the player also to revert
TO the club from which he was selected if
when released he is not signed within ten
days by club of a major league.
A major league club may at any time pur-
chase the release of player from a minor
league club to take effect forthwith or a t
a specified date, provided such purchase
is recorded with the secretary of the COM
of the date of the transaction.
Several of the articles designed to
protect the interests of the players. A
player suspended for a period of longer
than ten days shall have a right to appeal
to the commission.
Playing games for a stake is prohibited
player of club Is forbidden to accept
ward for special effort on his part to win
game.