The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-28

the association; more than 5000 let ters, besides 960 telegrams, were re- ceived and handled in the secretary's office; nearly 250 temporary suspen- sions were reported, 637 releases from contracts were promulgated, and 491 players were released by purchase from clubs in the association to other clubs in the same organization. Twenty-NiBe Leagues Play in 1905.
 "One of the most significant and strik ing things in connection with the his tory and life of the association is the fact that, prior to it's organization, vast majority of the minor league or ganizations, which then operated in dependently of each other. rarely last ed beyond July of each year. If twelve leagues started the season seven would fall by the wayside by July 4. Since the National Association assumed the government of the minor leagues all this has been changed. The rec ord of twelve-nine leagues finishing their playing schedules in 1905 is the of baseball. and credit for this is due the organization under which these minors are operating.
 The growth of baseball has been wonderful to those who have not watched its gradual increase. In Win nipeg the games are called at D. m. In California baseball is played during nine months of the twelve in year. Last Christmas team of American players which had gone to Mexico play ed a game in Yucatan with the ther- HlomeleI TeSlslerlhS noTe than IVV III the shade.
 Born in Chicago.
 The National Association is of Chi cago parentage, in way. It was or Hotel in Chicago. Sept 6-S. 1901, at which session eleven leagues were rep resented, nine in person and two by proxies. Four newly organized leagues joined the association in the spring or 1902. Of the thirteen affiliated leagues that year every one finished its cham pionship season. With that successful record as a foundation the association began to build the structure which now has assumed the magnificent propor- tions already indicated.
 This success was surpassed in 1903, when nineteen league members com menced and nineteen leagues completed their respective championship seasons. Generally speaking, most prosperous year was reported by all members of the association and the year was one of substantial upbuilding for the minor leagues.
 Previous to this season the American association had become a member of the National Association, after having tried to weather the baseball seas outside the organization. When application was made for membership in the National citation and the Western League occu- pied conflicting territory in Kansas City and Milwaukee. The fight for ter ritorial rights in those cities was a memorable one and it was not for months that the tangle was successfully strengthened out.
 Negotiations Open in 1908.
 In August, 1903, negotiations were opened looking to tripartite agree ment between the National Association. the American League, and the National League Relative to this agreement, the National Association, before nego- tiltions were opened and while they were being carried on, adopted the fol- lowing resolution:
 "First-Any agreement entered into must be upon the basis of the following resolution:
 "Resolvcd. That in the event of al joint invitation being extended, the Ma tiOnal Association at any future time to confer with the Board of Directors of the American League and the Ma tional League in the interest of the tripartite agreement, the National Board of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues shall preserve to the National Association it's present form of government and itS individual organization supreme ana
 "Resolvcd. That these instructions declared be mandatory and eompul- sorry"
 After several meetings. the present national agreement was signed at meeting at the St. Nicholas -.otel lh Cincinnati. on Sept. 10. 1903. ,o..,.os fourished under National Association Government as never before Tn all the history of baseball was demonstrated amply by the fact that the orgahlza- ton progressed steadily from thirteen leagues in 1902 until at the termlnation Of the 1904 season twenty-three le que members were within It's fold. Ihree thousand seven hundred players con tracts were promulgated in that year, year. sixty-seven players were selected by draft, and 364 players were released by purchase from one club member to another member of the same assoc!a- ton.