The Washington herald., 1912-04-04
BY c. w. SWAN.

Another scandal in the ranks of organ
iZed amateur baseball. one that will be
even greater than the famous Wilkinson
case Of last year, all but came TO light
at the meeting of the commission last
night in Spalding's store.
The trouble arose over the question OF
what team had the right TO the services
of a player, Norman Loveless. and while
nothing real startling was disclosed by
the principals, il is a certainty that
when the final disposition of a few more
ball tossers is made known the real facts
will be brought out, as one OF the mem
bers of the commission stated last night
that he would bring evidence before that
body that will put several parties out OF
amateur baseball.
Loveless signed a contract with the
Loffier Provision Company team of the
Independence League In January, and
with the Sherwood aggregation of the
Sunday School League some time during
March The Loffier contract was re-
ceived by Secretary ShurtIefr on Febru-
airy % and the Sherwood agreement on
March l. Under the old rule, Loveless
belongs to the team he plays with first,
but under the new constitution he is the
property of the Loffler team, and the
commission so ruled
A section of the new rules states that
a player is automatically suspended
when a second contract is received by
the secretary. but as Loveless signed
both the agreements before the rule went
into effect, nothing can be done to him.
Were Given Presents.
1t is claimed by several members Of
the commission that players received
presents to sign with certain clubs, and
that this fact will be brought up when
ever it is found that one OF the men in
question has signed with more than one
club. Just how true this is cannot be
learned, but at the next meeting of the
commission several STARTLING, announce
nfents are booked TO be made.
Hereafter, the following rule will ap-s
ply to players signing more than one
contract
Resolved, That the first of conflict
ing contracts which were executed prior
10 March will be validated"
This will make every agreement now
in the hands Of Secretary Shurtler that
will not allow any juggling with the
players.
bennett Vice President.
Fred F. bennett. OF the Interior De-
partment. was elected vice president of
the commission, and will enter upon his
new duties at once. Mr.. bennett is one
Of the Districts most ardent baseball
fans. being at the majority Of the big
league contests and also a frequent vis-
itor at the amateur games.
Mr.. Dennett's name was proposed by
President Roakes, OF the Independence
League, and was carried with rising
vote OF the commission.
The East Washington Sunday School
League was admitted into the fold after
an interesting debate between the two
Loves. c. C, of the East Washington.
and W. r., of the Sunday School circuit,
and everything was settled TO the satis-
faction of all concerned. The East
Washington circuit will play its games
on the field at Thirteenth and d streets
northeast. while w. r. Love stated that
the old Sunday School League has sew
eral sites in mind, but would not make
known the selection until the next meet
ing of the league.
Manager King. OF Spaldings. has
secured the contracts, and Secretary
Shurtleff has distributed them to the
different leagues. Mr.. King also stated
that the constitution and bylaws would
he printed as soon as the intercity COM
mittee completes the rules that will gov
crn that series this fall gets together
and agrees on the laws.
Another League Booked.
1t was learned that another league
will shortly be formed-another league
among the departments. The clerks of
the Navy Department are talking OF or
ganfzing an interbureau league, COM
posed of six clubs, and the final arrange
ments will be made in the near future.
This league will hold its games on the
north diamond of the White Lot. Mr..
Yancey of the Navy Department, is the
president Of the new circuit
The Bankers, amateur champions of the |
District, and the Kensington club will |
hook up in the first game OF the Columbia !
League, while the rest of the schedule |
will be published in the near future. |
The teams now in the league are the !
Southern Railroad, Braddocks, Bankers, |
and Kensington. There are several ap-
plicants for the other franchises, but to |
cate nothing has been done toward filling |
the places.
Bob Murphy, one of the Districts star |
amateur ball tossers, left yesterday for |
Portsmouth, where he will play third |
base on the Virginia League club. Bob
played with the all-stars against the |
1annigans last Saturday and put up a |
corking good game.