The Washington herald., 1908-01-20

The Marquette Baseball League. in ses-
sion yesterday, took a decided stand on
the question of eligibility of players,
which may change the complexion of the
amateur baseball situation in the Dis
trict 10 a degree. and accomplish the
ends desired by those who have advO-
Gated a permanent District Commission
10 control the game in this city.
The league directors. having gone thor
OUghly into the subject, are convinced
that the proposed legislation is feasible
and wholly desirable, and has instructed
its secretary TO communicate with the
several amateur leagues in this city for
the purpose of promulgating code Of
rules prohibiting a player from playing
on more than one team.
Considerable comment was caused last
season by the fact that the Trinity team,
which won the pennant in the Marquette
League, and also captured the District
championship In the post-season series
was composed mainly of players on the
St. Stephens Institute team of the Cap
ital city League. which was beaten in
the league race by the Aloysius Club
Capital City Objected.
The Capital City League contingent
claimed that this was not fair, as it was
believed that Aloysius could have easily
disposed of the Trinity team as it was
made up at the start Of the season, and
that it was only due to the strength the
ST. Stephens players added TO Trinity
that the Marquette League was able 10
win the District title.
In view of this the Marquette League
wishes TO go on record as favoring the
one-team rule, and viii make strenuous
efforts to enlist the cooperation of the
other leagues TO this end and not with
out bright prospects of success, for it is
known that in the Departmental League
the Georgetown body viii have a stanch
ally, it having been the policy of that
organization right along to discourage
its players from participating with teams
of any other league.
The Independence League is also in
favor of the ruling, It having been Un-
officially announced from the headquar-
ters of that body that the league desired
such legislation, and in the event of none
of the older leagues taking action in the
matter, intending 20 brOach the subject
OF its own accord
That the Sunday School League will
fan in line there is little doubt. as. aside
from the evident advantages OF the ruling.
that body learned by actual experience
last season in the loss of valuable play
ers that a code on these lines al that
time would have prevented considerable
embarrassment that il was subjected 20
md
league to retain its prestige among its
rival organizations
Leagues Favor Rule.
With these leagues favoriug the adop-
tion Of the rule, there remains only the
Capital City League. which. from the
stand taken by some of its supporters in
The Trinity incident last season. could not.
il seems. consistently refuse TO enter into
such am agreement, especially in view of
the fact that if there Is any one league
that the ruling would benefit In a greater
degree than the others, it is the Capital
City. one of the oldest, best organized.
and most influential organizations in the
District
Prospects for a successful season in the
Marquette League have never been
brighter since its inception. Grounds have
been obtained i'm Il centrally located Sec
JiOu of the city which for business rea-
sons cannot be announced at the present
time With the question Of playing grounds
cleared up, the league will now proceed TO
draw up "a schedule and perfect the minor
arrangements.
The ST. J0seph's team a member Of the
league the first part Of last season. has
been Teadmitted. 10 MI the vacancy made
by the withdrawal of the St Vincent
Club. so the following clubs viii comprise
the roster Of the league: Trinity, St
Peters. st. Theresa's, St. Martins, St.
DOminiC's and ST JOseph's.