The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-12
LEGISLATION FOR
THE BALL PLAYER
Miner League MagnateS Take
Action At Memphis
FLAT DRAF TING PRICE
Change Is Recommended to Make
Price for Drafting Players Same
in All Leagues-New CLASH
ficaton Is Needed.

Memphis, November 1.-THE extension
of the life of the National Association Of
Minor leagues until September 6, 1921, and
the selection Of Chicago as the next
meeting place, We're the principal fea-
lures of the closing session of the annual
meeting of the association here today
The national board Of arbitration will
probably remain here until Saturday.
The National association made one or
two other changes in its constitution
concerning the signing of contracts the
promoting of the welfare of the players
and the punishment to be melted out to
those who fail to live up to their con-
tracts Suggestions concerning the fiat
drafting price from all leagues and
chance in the method of classification
were referred to the national board for
action. It was decided that the national
board should meet several days before
the National association in the future
and thus clear up all the minor cases
before this big meeting is started.
Chicago was awarded the next annual
meeting of the association over Louis
vile. The vote on the question was nine
for Chicako, five for Louisville two for
Rock Island Moline Davenport and one
for New York city The campaign for
Chicago was led by President ONeil of
the Western league.
A resolution that the National associa-
ton do all in its power to advance the
welfare of the players was adopted.
n
A rule providing that players must be
under contract before they can play a
game with club was also adopted. For
merly the time allowed to a player to
sign a contract varied from five TO fifteen
days or games.
1t was also decided to follow in the
wake of the major leagues in the punish
ment of contract and reserve jumpers.
The new rule provides a suspension of
five years for breaking contract and
three years for violating a reserve.
Furman Smith of the Carolina associa-
ton advocated the adoption of a fiat
drafting price from the four classes of
the league and the matter was referred to
the national board for action. This idea
was first advocated by President F. R.
Carson of the Central league. The idea
is that if player from any class in the
league Is considered worthy of draft
by major league club he is worth as
much to that club as a Glass A player.
A D. Helms of the Roanoke. Virginia
league club asked the classification OF
league be based upon average pcpula-
ton of its cities, rather than upon the
entire population of its circuit. The ques-
ton was referred to the national board
Helms advanced the theory that the pres
ent rule did not do justice to leagues
having only four to six clubs in the cir
cults.
Basis of Classification.
Following is the present basis of classi-
fication and that proposed
Present Total-Class A, 100000; Class
B, 100000 to 100000 Cyass c, 100000 to
100000; Class D. 100000 or less
Proposed Average-Class A. 125,000;
Glass B, $1,000 to 1250O0 Glass c, $4,000 TO
50 COO Class y, 25,'f9 or less.
After giving a vote of thanks to the
city of Memphis and the Southern
league the association adjourned the
meeting sine die.
The national board decided the fol-
lowing cases today:
Fort Smith VS.. Oklahoma City for al
legged tampering with players, claim
with drawn
Application of new league in Iowa
composed of Manch ester, Monticello,
Cascade, Stra wberry Point, Anamosa
and Maquoket was granted.
Application of the Southern Califor-
mia league, with headquarters at Santa
Anna, for territory and memb ership
was acted upon favorably.
Protest and counter claim of Ohio
State league for Huntington w Va,
and Charleston. w. Va. of the Virginia
Valley league was denied.
Application for territory and mem
bership of a new league In Mississippi
with headquarters at Clarksda was
acted upon favorably.
Application for territory and mem