The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-03-20
RESERVE CLAUSE
ATTACKED BEFORE
FEDERAL court
Charged in Suit Involving Bill
Killifer, Jr.. That it is
Not Binding.
FEDERAL LEAGUE
MAKES COMPLAINT
Seeks Services Of Catcher Who First
signed Will Them, and then Jump
ed Back To Organized Baseball
Important to Profession.

Grand Rapids. Mich. March 90
The first legal shot Of the baseball
war of 1914 was fred here today by
the Federal league in fling a petition
with the United states district court
for the western district Of Michigan
asking for all Injunction to restrain
William ]. Killifer, Jr, formerly
catcher OF the Philadelphia Nationals.
from playing baseball with any club
other than the Chicago Federals.
Eillifer signed three-year con-
tract with the Chicago Federais but
afterward was persuaded that the 70.
serve clause in his old contract with
the Philadelphia club held him legal
ly to Philadelphia and Joined his
former team.
Involves Reserve Clause.
The suit involves the legality OF the
reserve clause. long regarded - one
bali and was brought in the western
Michigan district because killifer -
a resident Of Paw Paw. Mich.
After reciting the organization OF
the Chicago Federal league baseball
club for the purpose OF maintaining
baseball club. the bill declared
that it was necessary to engage the
and extraordinary skill and expert
ness. among whom was the defend.
ant" Bill Killifer. s
The complaint which was signed by
Charles Weeghman. president Of tho
Chicago Federal league baseball club,
told of the signing of the contract by
Killifer In which he agreed to play
f<>, 60 80
erals for a total of &17,500, or $6,-
1888 year. The contract, q copy
OF which was attached to the petition
for an enjoining order. expressly stip-
ulated. the court was informed, that
Killjfer agreed to devote his entire
time and attention to the service OF
the Chicago Federals. The court was
informed that $500 was advanced to
killifer on account, and was accepted
by him and still Is retained.
.ecrort,snce witt, MS ronsrsef, % Was al.
~fesed against killifcr. Z ~
Some Baseball Information.
The bill then sets forth the infor-
nation that a baseball team con-
sists Of nine regular players. besides
substitutes. each of whom play in DIFF
ferent position, to-wit: Pitcher.
catcher. first base. second-base.
SnOrtSIOp. tnlFQ-DaSe, TlSnC IelQ, cen.
ter field, and left field"
THAT one of the principal positions
on baseball team is that Of catcher:
that on account of its Importance and
Of the extraordinary skill, adaptabili-
ty and training necessary for the ex-
pert playing of this position 1t Is
moro difficult to secure an expert
catcher than any Of the other play
crs.'
Some Bouquet.
A tribute to the ability Of Catcher
Killifer was contained in a paragraph
which informed the court that the
defendant is baseball player, to-wit:
A catcher. Of unique and extraordin-
airy skill and expertness and Of such
personal and intellectual character
that his loss cannot be substantially
some other baseball catcher"
The bill sets forth that the Chica.
go Federals will suffer irreparable in
jury unless restraining order issues
enjoining Catcher killifer from play
ing with clubs other than the Chica-
go Federals. and more particularly
with the Philadelphia Nationals with
whom the complainant believes KILL
fer is now in active practice prepara-
tion for the opening of the baseball
season.
The complaint closed with a pray
err for the immediate issuance Of q
temporary injunction. preventing Kill
lifcr from violating his contract with
the Chicago Federals and q petition
that the temporary injunction be
made permanent in the final hearing
of the suit.