Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-12-04
BASEBALL RULES
VERY HARD ON
PLAYERS

~ RGANIZED baseball while ne
cessity for the protection of vested
rights of the club owners, and the
national agreement necessity to pre-
vent the jumping Of contracts and
chaotic revolving of players that would
tend to the ultimate reducing Of sala
ries and consequent loss Of money TO
the players in the end, still those bull
warks of the national game have dis
advantages that at times appear to be
unfair and far from equitable to the
men behind the game.
The cases of Joe Tinker and Frank
Chance loom up prominently just at
this time because both those stars of
the diamond are prevented by the rules
of organized baseball from lettering
themselves as they could and have the
chance to do, If they were free agents.
The national agreement says those
players are the property of the club
they happen to be under contract with
until that club releases them from res
ervation. But that is not all. Even if
the club that has them bound virtually
during their careers of usefulness,
which means throughout their baseball
lives, the other clubs Of the league with
which they are connected can step in
and claim their services.
This prevents the players from hav-
ing the broad scope to secure engage
ments that other fields in business and
sports furnish.
Chance Hampered
Frank Chance has been put on the
market under the waiver price Of 81,
500, a ridiculously low sum. considering
the great record the man has made as a
manager and player and the ability he
still has left. Chance has been claim
ed at the waiver price that he was put
under, according to general opinion, by
President Murphy to belitte the Peer
less Leader" through spite. But wheth-
err that opinion is right or wrong, the
fact remains that Chance is being kept
from securing a lucrative position that
he could secure IL not hampered by the
national commission rules.
President Farrell, of the Yankees has
not said that he would engage Chance
as a manager. but there Is an impress
sion among New York fans that such
will be the case, or would be if Far
rell could secure clear title to the ex-
Cubs services. And there is no doubt
that Chance could sign an advanta-
geous contract at big salary-and a
bigger one than he got from President
Murphy--were his hands not more or
less tied
Tinker, Too, Hindered
Then there is Joe Tinker, who said
at the recent meeting Of the National
league board Of directors that tried
Horace Fogel;
''If l am not allowed to sign with the
Cincinnati club as manager. / shall give
up baseball altogether ] viii not play
again with the cubs under any circum-
stances. This is the chance of my life.
the only one | will have in baseball. and
] think that my past success with the
Chicago club and President Murphy en-
titles me to he given this opportunity
by Murphy. If he does not. he will not
get my services, no matter what salary
he offers me. l appreciate that / am
going back as player, but have al
ways had the ambition to manage a
National league club and now ! have
the chance and the only one ] ever will
have. ! would have TO quit anyhow
in year or so as a player. and if
am forced out now, il would make only
difference OF a year or two"
But Murphy's string on Tinker is a
rope Of wire cable strength, and made
so by organized baseball and the ma
tional commissions strict. although
possibly necessary. rules.