The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-28

The war is on. The Richmond
Amateur Athletic federation has
thrown down the gauntlet TO the
Richmond Amateur Baseball commits
sion and last night began the organi-
xation for the coming season by
planning two leagues of four clubs
each. Several OF the clubs and
number Of the players who formerly
played with the teams under the rules
Of the Amateur Baseball commission
have joined the new organization, and
great efforts will be made by the Fed
GRAFTON to secure the names of many
others, who are still members OF the
Commission teams, to contracts or
teams under the Federation rules.
Not content with an attempted
monopoly of the summer baseball stu
alton, as 1t has been developed after
three years Of persistent efforts on
the part of hackers OF teams several OF
whom have spent large amounts in
financing their organizations. the Fed
Grafton is making efforts to have all
of the prep teams OF the city enter
into the organization. The high school
has turned down the advances of the
representatives OF the Federation be-
cause Of the too stringent player
rules: the Academy had done likewise !.
Benedictine college will not enter the
fold, according to the statements of
several members Of the school. and
the McGuire's school lis still def1berat-
ing the question.
Players Won't Jump.
Representatives. OF the Amateur
Baseball commission said last night
that they did not believe that great
number OF the players now signed
with teams playing under the Com
mission rules would jump to the Fed
Grafton leagues. Several have done so.
but in each OF the cases 1t was be-
cause they were members OF the Blues
and that organization having placed
istelf under the Jurisdiction of the
Federation and having entered team
In one Of the leagues the members
who had been parts of other teams
rallied to the nine which will represent
the militiamen.
In most other cases it Is thought
by the adherents of organized base
ball. as it has been played, the men
will remain with their old teams or
become members Of independent or
ganizations rather than enter the
leagues governed by the Federation.
On the other hand 1t is the belief of
the Federation enthusiasts that they
will have a sufficient number of play
ers to start several leagues of four
or six clubs each by the time for open
ting the playing season and that once
the tide OF players turns toward them
1t will come with a rush.
Rules Cause Opposition.
Most OF the opposition to the Fed
Grafton comes of the fact of the very
stringent amatuer laws which govern
the men playing under its rules. Boil
ed down to hard lacks the laws say
that any man playing with or against a
man who has accepted remuneration
tor athletic work. or any man who has
done so, is professional and par
ticipation In athletic contests of any
kind with him are prohibited under a
pain OF classification as a professional.
ball player In Richmond. whether on
an amateur. Independent team or on
prep school nine, is a professional.
at the hands of the Federation If the
officials, and the secretary. decide that
such may be done. This, according to
statements made by those attending the
meeting OF the Federation at the Blues
armory last night, may occur once, but
under no consideration will reinstatS-
ment be granted If n contract with
the Federation is broken by player
returning to team outside the pale
Of the organization.
To the minds of many the ruling ls
one which Is aimed primarily at those
PLAYERS who may have at one time
signed a contract with a professional
team or who mayhap have played
with one. Such cases as that Of
Canepa, OF last season. or that of the