The Washington herald., 1910-03-28

The Capital City League met at the
Century Building yesterday afternoon. the
main business being the consideration OF
the question as TO whether or not the
league should adopt the rules Of the am
ateur baseball commission of the Dis
trict. The report OF the committee which
was appointed at the last meeting to
look into the matter was read and dis
cussed, after which the report was accept
ed and the committee was instructed 10
present a statement 10 the amateur com
mission tonight Of the leagues stand in
the matter The report of the committee
is as follows:
The COMMITTEES on the adTisabihty ~ sfiliatin
with the amateur baseball commission a the
District q Columbia, after a careful examination
and analysis Of the constitution and rules foF the
playing season Of said commission. arrive at the
conclusion that fer the best interests Of amateur
baseball in general and the Capital City League. il
would be inadvsabe 20 place the Capital CITY
League under tho jurisdiction Of the amateur base
ball commission, at present constituted
The Capital City League IS in favor Of an ANA
te1r commission If it can be 50 constructed as 70
have it composed OF three five disiuteUested par
ties, together with a secretary or recorder who
shall not have the privilege Of a vote. com
mission 50 constructed would be IN a position 10
guarantee to each and every league that desired 20
Join II that its decisions would be fair and just
and that no combination Of presidents Of the ma
iOrty Of leagues could formulate rules, decide points
Of controversy. and In fact, control not only the
working Of the commission but o. the different
leagues themselves taking away from said leagues
many Of their inherent powers. At present the diff
ferent presidents who compose the commission can,
by combination, work any injustiee that they 50
desire that they Wlch
Rule 3 of the amateur commission states that
DO player or manager shall receive money or thing
q value, promise Of remuneration, valuable con
siderati0n for playing a team, penalty Of yiO-
lation q this rule rendering team ineligible 10 par
tiGpate in the post-sasoa series and lafe to other
penalties as the commission may fix" This rule. il
carried into effect. would be the greatest service
that any commission could perform for the anna
teJT baseball leagues Of the District Of Columbia
but Is such a rule poSsibee We do not think -.
As long as the managers Of the various teams that
compose the different leagues have considerations to
offer players With regard TO positions for their
ability a ball player such rule IS impractical
well impossible.
Farther on in said rule it is stated that it, after
formal charges have been presented to the commits.
sion for violation Of rule the player manager
shall be Immediately suspended pending q hearing
Of the charge and until he has proved his limo
ccnce. This portion works great injustice not
only en- the player, but on the team he is PLAYING
signed statement containing the charge the player
would thus be Immediately suspended and the team
would be without his services and By 50 being
would possibly lose its chances for a pennant and
If the player proved his innocence there is pen.
atty for the wrong that has not only been com-
ritted against the player, but the team which has
equally been the sufferer q said wrong.
In this rule there again appears this unlimited
power Of tie presidents Of the leagies-they could
by & majority vote refuse to let the matter 50 to
arbitration and decide the points themselves. The
Capital City League Is in favor Of smateuTism in
its rurest sense. and viii be found extending its
best efforts to render the baseball situation in this
city simon pure"
There are various rules which the amateur com
mission has fostered which entiely unnecessary
as well as unproduetive Of any good. and we sem
20 think that if the commission would adept fewer
rules for the present, and then increase the ne
eessity Of more rules would appear. the situation
would be easily handled because to carry out the
rules as laid down by the commission would be
Al arrsfHe