Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-04
BIC BASE BALL
MEET STARTS TODAY
Fate of 'OutIaWs" to Be De-
cided by the National
Commission.

The base ball magnateS begin the new
year with big powwow in Cincinnati
today. 1t should be one of the most i'm
portant meetings of the year. for it will
decide the long-standing issues of the
Eastern League and American Associa-
ton against the National Association of
Professional Minor League Base Ball
Clubs. The controversy. which was side
stepped by the national commission at
the recent meeting in New York, will be
reopened this afternoon The commission
VIII meet representatives of the dissatis-
fed minors and the National Association.
There is little to do but pass upon the
demands of the minors as submitted at
the New York meeting. Whatever action
is taken may change the complexion of
the national agreement.
1t is generally felt that the ajor
leagues and national commission are will
ing to grant most of the demands of the
Eastern League and American Associa-
ton. Already the commission has given
in on the question OF major league drafts
as to length of period. The time had
been limited to two weeks. instead of
six weeks, as formerly. The big minors
ask equal privileges of draft on the lesser
minors as now enjoyed by the majors,
and a limit of major league draft on
them to one man from each club of the
Eastern LeaSue ana American ASSURE
ton. They also wish to prevent the ma
jors from turning back minor league tim
Der to slower company direct. That is,
If a class man is found incompetent
for major league company the big minors
wish first call on his services. They also
wish to get him at the draft price paid
by the majors
One demand which appears very fair.
but which is unlikely to be favorably
considered. is limit to the rosters of
big league clubs. The two minor leagues
think twenty-five men are enough for
any one club of the American or Ma
tiona league at any time. They believe,
further. that twenty after June is quite
sufficient
Under the present farming systems
the big league clubs can distribute sur
plus players among the minors for sea-
Soning without great expense. The pol
icy is very bad for the minors, who de-
velop the talent only to lose it by draft
ers too. Many are kept on the bench
who could profit by experience with
other clubs. even in slower company. :.
A roster limit would be good thing, II
every club would observe 1t strictly. But
the leaders do not wish to part with any
of the promising material more than do
the trailers, whose only hope lies in de-
veloping youngsters
Whatever the result of this weeks con-
ference 1t is unlikely that the big minors
Will ueScil lliC pCoIS SoihPeiNe' AiS ISoAN
ern League has assumed a passive attitude
throughout the argument. The American
Association, at it's annual meeting In chi
cago last week, decided to stand by the
decision of the national commission. Presi-
dent OBrien is hopeful of a favorable
reply but states that his league will &C
cept the verdict with grace. In view OF
the fact that the association has long
looked upon certain big league territory
with envy, it would appear that the west
erners do not feel strong enough to make
stand by themselves.
What interests local fans most is what
Messrs Hermann, Pulliam and Johnson
will decide to do in the cases of Walter
Johnson. Jerry Freeman. Hal Chase,
Elmer Stricklett and Jimmy Sebring,
who are just now under the ban for hav-
ing played OUTLAW" ball. 1t is under
stood that the players have applied for
reinstatement. Frank Farrell wants