The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-20
CODBCASE MAY HAVE WE|GHTY RESULTS Will Mean Some. Change in
 Baseball World PROTECTION NEEDED Player Should Be Protected from Foul Insults from Spectators-Play-
 CTS May Form Some
 Kind of Union
PROTECTION NEEDED

Washington, May Especially J. A situa tion has been precipitated by the Ty Cobb incident which promises to have far-reaching effect in the base ball world and bring about many changes. "
 It is probable that an organization Of baseball players will be one re- suit. Then the right of players to be protected from foul insults from spectators will be settled.
 The personal popularity of Ty Cobb. who Is recognized as the best liked man in the game. and the loyal way in which the Detroit team has backed him up even at the risk of forfeitins their positions and their license, has made the incident one of national in terest. That some action will result giving protection to ball players is be- lieved.
 Matter Brought to Focus
 Decidedly the most objectionable fea- ture of modern baseball to spectators is rowdylsm on the part of the fan and the player and the incident in New York has brought the matter to focus.
 The Cobb case, 1t Is believed will re- suit in the organiza tion of some kind of a protective body There has all ways been much talk about the com prehensive terms of a baseball players contract. It is complete and binding, and the player is under absolute con trol of his manager just as soon as his name is signed to 1t. The break ing of a contract in organized ball I.... rs..x tl,f Ia.F til such time as the national commis sion sees fit to reinstate him. But cases of refractory players are always brought to the commissions attention by players employers.
 Under the baseball contract the play CT Is at the mercy of the club owner. to be bought, sold or traded as he sees fit. Cases where ball players have been compelled to go to clubs contrary to their wishes are numerous in baseball, and cases are also numerous of play CTS retiring from the game rather than submit to being traded or sold to 8 club they objected to. There Is no ap peal from the sweeping terms of the contract.
 The most recent agitation against the baseball contract was when Represen- tative Gallagher introduced a bill in Congress to investigate the baseball trust" He said the baseball contract was a direct violation of the trust law and made the player nothing more nor less than an industrial slave. Baseball replied at the time that they would welcome an investigation of the SO -ealled trust and strenuously denied that players were slaves" under the terms of the baseball contract.
 See Need of Union
 Baseball has grown into such a large affair commercially that players for the last few years have seen the need of a union to protect their interests against the baseball owners. Ordinarily, however, player and club owner have got along with little friction in the major leagues except in a few par ticular cases. The players have up to now thrown themselves on the mercy of their managers to whose advantage it is to give his star player just what he wants.
 The present Cobb case presents new situation in baseball. for there has never been an example of revolt such as the Detroit clubs outbreak since the famous brotherhood war in 1890. The brotherhood war was bitter struggle and proved a hardship on both revolt ing players and the league The pub lie became disgusted with both sides in the controversy and the patronage of the games fell off to almost noth- ing. The financial loss was heavy.
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