Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-05

PLAYERS RIGHTS GUARDED.
National Agreement Has Worked
Wonders in Baseball Law.

Improvement in the condition Of the
players under the present system of
conducting The game was demonstrated
IN tWo recent decisions, one b. the
court nf appeals Of the state of New
York. awarding Fred Prefer, Il player
III retirement, $500 for services rendered
"a the New York club, of the National
League. in 1896, ana the other by the
National Commission. requiring the
Washington club. of the American
League, 10 comply with an agreement
entered into with Garland Stahl for his
disposal TO another club. Poor Pfeffer,
With his purse depleted and his playing
ability on tho Wanc, unable TO ct Il
SuGarc deal from Il baseball tribunal,
Was compelled to seek redress. in Il civil
court. StahfS grievance Was disposed
o. i'll Il Driet period after his applica-
ton was filed ana Il week given the
defendant club TO carry out the finding.
Had Prefer been Il member of the
New York team of 1906, the commission
would have adjudicatCd the difference
between him and his club and if the
evidence warranted it, would have en-
tered 4 decree in his favor ana the sum
awarded to him would have been
nnuncement by the commission in the
opinion handed down in the Stahl case
that it is our duty not only to protect
club-OWners operating under the Ma
tional agreement, but players as WELL"
accounts for the difference III the pres
ent and f0rr.cr methods of operating
professional baseball.
The old system was narrow and sell
T.,I,
benefit of club-OWneFS and without re-
gard to professional privileges Of indi-
vidual rights Of players. The monopo-
listic major league made the laws of
the game. construed and applied them.
If a maghate had difference with one
Of his players, notification Of his in
definite suspension was forwarded to
the president Of the National League
ana he was barred from making a liv
ing at his speciality at the pleasure OF
the magmate. whose i'll will he had in
CURED. AN appeal to the beard Of di-
rectprs was open 10 him, but there is
not in the annals Of the old league an
instance in which the player won a
case.
Under the National agreement he
tween the major and the allied minor
leagues, ball players rights are clearly
defined and Zealously guarded. Punish
ment is permitted for breaches Of dis
clpline, but "a player suspended by I.
club or league for term longer than
10 days shall have the right Of appeal
to the National Commission, which is
given authority to order his reinState-
roent if it deems the punishment cN-
cessiVe on not merited." tSectlon .,
Article 6, of the National Agreement)
The expansion and success of the
American League not only increased
the pay Of players from 80 to 1oe per
cent, hut gave the game government
in which the rights of every member
of the profession from the highest
priced ma jor league star to the hum
blest bush Lacquer at $50 4 month are
safeGuarded.
When Roche n minor league player,
was not ''rcinstltcd and compensated
for all the time lost by him. rs direct
ed by the National Conn. isSion, this
warning was given: IF the National
Board, Of the National Association, !
shows a disposition to respect only such
decisions of the commission as might
meet with their approval, no further
recognition should be given them under
tn. national agreement" And If the
wrongs Roche had suffered had not |
been riehted. protection would nave
been withdrawn from the MINOR
leagues. in former years, baseball
wars have been precipitatcd by owners
over players, but the Roche case was
unique in that organized baseball was
ready to fight for the rights which the |
national agreement bestowS upon
minor league player.