Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-12-04
BASEBALL RULES
VERY HARD On
PLAYERS
~ RGANTZED baseball is ne
cessity. II protects the vested
rights OF the club owners. it

" fGtgANtLED DASeDdli IL q ne
cessity. 1t protects the vested
rights OF the club owners. it
prevents the jumping OF contracts
by ball players and stands as a
guarantee against player revolu
tion-all things that in the long
run protect the players from inevi-
table salary reductions. At the
same time the powers OF club own
ers in organized baseball are such
as to be far from equitable to the
players
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, IL 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 II
the club that has them bound virtually
during their careers Of usefulness,
which means throughout their baseball
lives, releases them. the other clubs Of
the league with which they are con-
nected 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 Hsmpered.
Frank Chance has been put on the
market under the waiver price of 81
800. a ridiculously low sum, considering
the great record the man has made as
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 belttle the Peer
less Leader through spite But wheth-
er 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 manager, but there is an impress
sion among New York fans that this
will be the case. or would be if Far
rell could secure a clear title TO the ex-
Cubs services. And there is no doubt
that Chance could sign an advauta-
geous contract at a big salary-and a
bigger one than he got from President
Murphy-were hts 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 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 l will have in baseball and
l think that my past success with the
Chicago club and President Murphy en-
titles me to be given this opportunity
by Murphy. II he does not. he will not
get my services, no matter what salary
he offers me I appreciate that am
going back a. a player but ! have al
ways had the ambition to manage a
National league club. and now ] have
The chance and the only one ever win
have l would have to quit anyhow
in year or SO as a player, and if l
am forced out now, it would make only
a 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 e.
tional commissions strict although
- POSSIBLY necessary. rules.