The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-01-07
PLAYERS gain
signal VICTORY
National Commission Grants
IL Out Of II Requests
Made by Fraternity.
MEETING Is HARMONIOUS
Agreement Likely to Be Revised To-
day, When Bob Parties
VIII Sign Il.
MEETING Is HARMONIOUS


will, and harmony was the watchword
at the long-expected conference between
the Baseball Players Fraternity and the
powers Of organized baseball today.
The National Commission and the Ma
tional Association agreed to grant eleven
of the seventeen requests of the frater-
nifty, and to take the other six under
consideration, with a probable suggested
revision of the wording.
The most important request granted
was that ball player. after he has
served ten years in the major leagues,
will be given his unconditional release
IL no team in the major league desires
his services.
The commission also granted a re-
quest which provides that every major
league park shall be equipped with a
blank wall, painted green, placed in GEN.
ter field in line with the pitchers box
and home plate, Of sufficient size to af-
ford background for pitched ball.
Dave Fultz, president of the fraternity,
who acted as spokesman for the ball
players committee. which met the COM
mission in open session, said back
ground was wanting because injuries re-
suited when advertising signs and fans
in bleacher seats made II hard for the
batter to see a pitched ball.
The commission agreed to grant re-
quests providing that when a player Is
fined and suspended he shall be given
written notice, stating the amount Of the
fine, duration of suspension, and the rea-
sons therefor.
Henry One of Delegates.
The six delegates from the fraternity,
composed of Ray Collins. Ed Reulbach,
Ial nan
Miller, along with their president, Dave
Fultz, were heartily received by the
magnates.
Besides the important requests granted.
other demands were disposed Of as fol-
lows:
The demand concerning the ten-day re-
lease clause was discussed at length and
set aside for a later decision. The ques-
ton of releases was also one Of con-
siderable discussion. The fraternity de-
n,anded that ten DAYS extra pay be
granted to released players and NJ. IL
Sexton. speaking for the minors. stated
that the American Association Leagues
were heartily in favor of meeting this de-
mand, but that the little leagues could
not possibly live ana grant the request.
This section was also held fer further
discussion.
The commission granted the request
This means that players will not be
EARNED OUT at a reduced salary and
that contract figures will remain the
came as at the original signing of the
contract. This is considered quite a vic
tory for the ball players.
To Notify Players of Waivers.
1t was granted that written notices
should be sent to players when waivers
have been asked on them. The players
also won their fight concerning formal
and explicit notification as to transfer
or releases. The demand as to side
agreements was mutually accepted and
the clause asking that club owners fur
nish two sets OF uniforms, free OF charge.
to the players was also allowed.
Among the other demands allowed were
the following: As to the clubs paying
players expenses from home to training
camps; as to contracts after forty-five
days probationary work; as to discrimi-
nation against fraternity men; as to inter-
league waivers.
been made for a waiver. that said waiver
could not be Withdrawn caused consider
able argument. Hermann was against
allowing such a demand, and declared IL
was mot admissible" He was in favor
Of clubs abusing the privilege being fined,
however, the player injured to get one
half Of the amount of the fine. It is like
ly that another meeting will be held to
prepare the revised agreement which both