New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-26
CLEARING UP FOR
A BASEBALL LAW
National Commission Out
with Statement on the
Release Clause.

In an effort to bring about a better IN
Outstanding among players and owners
Of the release and optional agreement
clause recently adopted on the suggestion
of the Baseball Players Fraternity, the
National Commission promulgated the fol-
lowing yesterday:
Section IS of the agreement with the
Baseball PLAYERS Fraternity reads as fol-
lows:
before major league player shall be
released outright or under an optional
agreement 10 Class A or a lower classi-
fcation his services shall first be rendered
to all Class "A clubs at a price not to
exceed 81 900. and then TO all Class A clubs
at a price not to exceed 500. II he be
drafted player the club from which he is
drafted shall have prior claim 10 all other
clubs in it's classification.
In view of the fact that there seems
TO be a misunderstanding as TO the exact
meaning of this particular clause, the
commission announces that its intent and
purpose is TO afford players released by
major league clubs. either outright or
Under an optional agreement, an oppor-
tunity to secure employment with ma
tional association club Of as high classi-
hcation as possible. and at the same time
TO protect by optional agreements the in
terests of major league clubs TO their
players.
When a major league club makes appli-
cation for interleague waivers it should az
the same time notify the president of the
league Of which 1T is a member whether
the PLAYER will he released unconditional
". outright or under an optional agree
ment if waivers are obtained. An out
right release is construed 10 mean the
players transfer from one CLUB to an
other. either with or without a consid-
Grafton. and without the retention OF the
right 10 recall him. In such case the
plaver must first be rendered TO Class "A
and 4 clubs al a price not TO exceed those
stipulated in Section IS. herein referred to
IF it is the intention OF the major
league club to release the player under an
optional agreement, then the amount OF
the option price shall not be less than
800. as stipulated in Rule Is or the com
mission. and not more than the respective
amounts prescribed IN Section is of the
fraternity agreement The amount of the
consideration decided upon should be
stated in all cases TO the president OF the
league Of the club requesting waivers
who will certify the same to the secretary
OF the National Association al the same
time he is required TO ascertain il Class
"A or Class A clubs file claim TO such
players. so that the National Association
clubs can have this information when the
PLAYER is rendered 10 them under an OPP
tional agreement
IF the major league club and the claim
ing minor league club cannot agree on the
optional price, the presidents Of the
leagues of the respective clubs shall de-
termine the consideration, provided how
ever. II shall not exceed the amounts
fixed in Section is. above quoted.
Section IS OF the agreement with the
Baseball Players Fraternity does not
change the system OF returning drafted
players. as prescribed in Section o. Ar
tCle VI OF the national agreement and
regulated by Rule 20 OF the commission,
In any respect II such player shall have
been legally claimed oy a minor league
club Nor is the priority OF Class A
club over all Class IA clubs in claiming
a player selected from ii abridged or mod
ified
"A drafted PLAYER who has not been
claimed before February !. following his
selection. becomes subject TO Section rs
az the players' agreement when released
by minor league TO miner league
Climb