The Washington herald., 1911-03-26
By n. r. wORLEY.

Strongly urging the adoptlon Oh RUE
prohibiting men who have played with
professional clubs in the past two years
from participating IN games under the
amateur baseball commission OF the Dis
trict of Columbia, the rules committee
appointed by that body recently made its
report last night at a meeting held at
Spaldings store in Fourteenth street
When President Bob Young called the
injecting to order every available bit OF
Epace was occupied by representatives
,of various local baseball organizations
and every league was represented Off
scially.
The report Of the committee, which
rvas received and accepted, makes five
recommendations.
AS ANNOUNCED earlier in the week ex-
tclusiveIy in The Washington Herald, the
first suggestion submitted was in re-
gard to the division of the leagues into
TWO classes. Sections A and B. at the
beginning of the season instead of at
the end of the year. This suggestion
was made with the idea of getting the
two sections on a working basis at the
Sstart Of the season So that plans could
be made gradually for the playing of of
-the poSt-seaSon series.
Suggestion No. does away with the
(which to try a player accused Of ac-
tcepting money for playing baseball The
pcommittee recommended that no time
be set for the trial of accused players,
Fbut that the whole matter be left to the
discretion of the commission.
In the past considerable trouble has
rbeen caused in an attempt to live up to
the rule which is now in force, which
provides for the trial of a player within
Tseventy- hours Often it has been i'm
possible TO get quorum of the commits
sion together within a week. and the re-
suit has been the continued violation of
the rule.
Professionals to Be Excluded.
The third suggestion made was the one
which caused all the managers to set up
howl 1t bars out any player who has
played with q team in organized baseball
within the past two years Most OF the
managers would be hurt were this put into
ietfect, although it is admitted TO be
Just and proper rule if Washington is to
have clean amateur baseball
The writer does not believe the rule will
ibe adopted as reported because it would
undoubtedly mean the breaking up of the
amateur commission into two fac
tiuns. leaving the balance of power
with the faction opposed to the rule.
However, the line between amateurism
and professionalism is fairly and squarely
drawn, and there is no getting around the
fact that the commission will have to 90
on record for one thing or the other
amateur or professional baseball.
President Page. of the Suburban
League. expressed himself as being op-
posed TO the adpoion of this rule stat
ing that he believed it would work a
hardship upon many of those players who
have left town to get tryout with pro-
fessionaI clubs and who may fail TO
ka nd will 70
lngton. To bar these men out of anna
teur baseball when they return to their
home city would be rank injustice. ac-
cording TO the view of the Suburban
League head, and he was backed up by
the Navy Yard manager and several
Others who took part in the discussion
Provision four stipulates that only the
presidents of leagues in Section a. or
their authorized representatives, shall
vote upon matters pertaining to that
section, and that the same shall apply
to Section B. This was considered in
connection with rule l, which pro-
vides for the division of the clubs by
tho 1st Of April There was considerable
difference of opinion last night as to
the advisabiGty of adopting this sug-
gestion, but it will probably be carried
with a few alterations.
Outlaw Organizations BInckItsted.
with the invita- atoms to new leagues to
affiliate with the amateur commission II
provides that whenever a new league is
organized the amateur commission shall |
invite If to affiliate with the commission |
and II the invitation is refused, will !
have The power TO place the league on |
the black list and bar out the players |
from games in leagues under the COM /
mission rule.
Capt G. E. Edwards, president of the |
Marquette League advocated the adop- |
, ton of a rule to prevent the indiscrim-
mate jumping of teams from one league
to another after the leagues have been
. organized.
He stated that the leagues were en-
titled to protection. and that they looked |
&c the amateur commission for it This
Catter was referred to the rules COM
nnittee for the framing of a suitable
rule covering the subject
During the discussion of this amend
ulent to the constitution, a clash occurred
between the Marquette League leader
and c. c. Love, who is president of the
Columbia 10l Athletic Association. Mr..
Love thought Capt. Edwards was taking
roundabout Whack at his team, and
asked President Young for the privilege
or making an explanation, but he was
ruled out of order.
Letters were read from A G. Spalding
and A. ]. Reach. sporting goods firms, re-
garding the adoption of a ball or balls
10 be used by the leagues affiliated with
the commission in connection with the
report of the committee on balls. The |
committee recommended the adoption of
both balls by the commission, with the
leagues retaining the privilege OF using
either make. The Suburban Independ-
enoe, and Commercial leagues went on
record as being opposed to the adoption
Of any one ball, declaring they would
rather attend to the matter themselves
After a lengthy discussion this was laid
on the table and will be considered at
the next meeting
Election of board of arbitration was I
laid over until the next meeting by unani-
nous consent
letter was read from the Indepen-
dence League announcing the election
Of A. W. Roarkes as president
Applications for the position of um-
plre IN the leagues under the amateur !
commission were filed by J. z. Hass and ,
A Gossoway.
Bills In the hands OF the secretary were
approved for payment and the secretary
was furnished with q list OF the oficiaIs {
cf all the leagues.
Meet Again Saturday.
President Bob Young. by unanimous
consent. named Saturday next for an !
csber meeting of the commission.
The Washington Herald was able to i
obtain exclusively the Official reporf ~ I i