Evening journal., 1915-12-28
u PAY FOR PLAYERS
IN early Baseball
R aceived First Remuner-
alton fer Their Services
in 1867
1871 SEES FIRST
LEAGUE ORGANIZED

In the early years OF the national
game il was sometimes a difficult mat
ter for the pioneers Of baseball to col
lect a sufficient number Of players to
present a "full field" and then again
there was an overflow of ambitious and
enthusiastic individuals to prove more
than enough. That was no doubt the
reason why no limit was set to the
number of participants in the game.
But since 1853 the number has been
definitely fixed at nine
In 1876 an attempt was made to in
troduce a tenth man at right short
stop. but the idea found little encour-
agement Il was adopted here and
there by amateur teams, but the pro
fessionals apparently never gave il
more than passing thought. although
The change was favored by more than
one prominent patron Of the game.
Up in New England before 1858 the
Middle States promoters got together
and agreed on uniform rules. Nothing
was said about compromising plavers
then, but in 1859 paying them was al
soiutely prohibited. This decree held
sooo until 1867, when for the first
time players were allowed to receive
pay. and we're then classed as pro
tessionals," this affecting all who were
paid for their services either by
money, place or emolument.
The Cincinnati Red Stockings came
on the field IN 1869 as through and
through professionals and formed the
nrst team OF its kind in fhe history of
baseball. Other teams flung off their
masks and entered the professional
arena, so long tho scene of nurelv
amateur struggles.
IN 1871 the first professional learuo
was organized. called the Nationai
Association Of Professional Ball plav-
ers' and five years later written co,.
tracts between clubs and PLAYERS wers
introduced for the first time. rbi-
association lived FIVE years. durinr
Wnicn Il became corrupt under tho
lnnuence Of gamblers Therefore In
1915, the National League OF Baseball
CLUBS. not players. was formed. Ono
OF rs hrst acts vas 10 nrohihif cam
n1nE ny players. This had tho eject
o- making the players more cautions
ont in the very next year. 1877 for-
PLAYERS cf the Louisville cluh D.vfin
CArrer- NICHOLS and Hall. wnr. CON
.ic'e1 OF tnroTins games and we're
loreter placed on the blacklist
AGAINST four biacksheep In the
glorious procession OF hallpiayors. wo
have thousands Of honest Young men.
whose characters remained stainless
and who. after quitting the game. be-
came useful members OF society. and
were given every public honor lust
one step short Of the presidency Of
the United States They have gone
into the United States Senate. into
the House OF Representatives. have
become governors OF States. members
OF the judiciary, clorgymen and 0yan-
gelists. They have also become sue
cessful business men. some leading in
their pursuits.
lhe value OF player has immeas-
nrably increased since the days of
1888. Not only has he advanced in
pecuniary sense his salary equaline
that Of senator or governor. but the
worth of his services in money To a
club has risen to big figures. In
1880 the services Of Mike Kelly we're
sold 10 the Boston club bv the Chi
cago club for $4,000. which was then
the most sensational occurrence in
baseball Since then the price of the
services Of player has mounted
steadily until II found It's highest
point last season in the purchase Of
Eddie Collins by the Chicago Ameri-
can League Club from the Athletics.
for $4,000
Baseball is a most democratic in
stitutlons. Its devotees spring from
all conditions and ranks OF life. and
everyone has an equal chance at
fame and lucre.