The Washington herald., 1914-01-04
MAJOR LEAGUES
BLUfFING ABOUT
COURT ACTION
Men Behind Big C1cuits Arc
Afraid Of Reserve Clause
N Contracts.
FEAR LEGAL RULING
Experts link Pfeideat CiInsse, Il
Fsdsrals. Was Wise il Net
Invading New York.
FEAR LEGAL RULING

New York. JAN Alt Is apparent to-
day that the organized baseball crowd
was merely biuffing in its threats to GO
to court and ask for an Injunction re-
straining Joe Tinker and Mordecai Brown
from playing In the Federal League next
season on the ground that both men are
the legal property of the Cincinnati club.
To ask for such an order would be-
asking for ruling on the validity of the
much discussed reserve clause-the clause
that many OF the foremost attorneys in
the country have declared Illegal
The contracts of both Tinker and
Brown with the Cincinnati club expired
at the end Of the 1913 playing season.
They remained the property Of the cleb
simply through the medium Of the reserve
clause which gives a club full power over
player even after his contract has
expired.
Fear the Coarts.
The organized baseball crowd doesn't
care 10 have the legality Of that clause
tested in court. II has a fear that the
court would rule against the clubs and
call the clause Illegal. and In no way
binding upon a player
Without the reserve clause interest in
baseball soon would die out As soon
as players contract had expired h,
would be a free agent, and would ba
permitted to sign with the club that
would offer him the best fnducement,
not with the club designated by thoss
who hold him through the reserve clause,
and not at any old salary that the mo-
guls felt like giving him
Teams like the New York Giants,
Philadelphia Athletics, Chicago Ma
ionals. Cleveland Maps. and a few 9TH
ers that are big money makers and have
unlimited capital at their disposal. could
outbid any ether club for the services of
star players. This soon would result in
all the stars being on three or four teams
and the fight for the pennant would be
no fight at all, except. perhaps between
two teams in each league.
Let Players Go.
And so IL Is quite evident that the or
gained parsons. despite their threats. ara
perfectly willing TO let well enough alone.
They'll let Tinker. Brown. and as many
others as they are unable to hold 90 over
peacefully 10 the Federal ranks. rather
than go to court and risk the, chance Of
having the reserve clause declared IL
legal.
Impartial baseball critics today are ot
the opinion that President James A. Gil
more. of the Federal League. made a
wise move when he rule against piacin,
a Federal League team in Greater New
York
Although New York has population OF
over 5.ooo.ocD to draw from ii Is believed
that baseball interests here Is not suf-
hcient to support four teams--the New
York Giants, New York Yankees. Brook
lyn Dodgers and Federal League club
Further tran that the big jump the far
Western teams in the Federal circuit
would havs to make New York would
means enormous railroad expense No
matter how well fortified the FederaIs
are at present as regards money. 10
would seem foolhardy for them TO locate
in New York Just now when there Is no
demand for a fourth team ard when
heavy expenses would b. incurred with
only a slight return.