New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-10
President of Three
League Outlines Plan
to Save Minors
By A. r. TEARNEY
President Three-ENe League


Now that the fifteenth annual meet
ing of the National Association Of Pro-
fessional Baseball Leagues is over, and
all those who attended have had an
opportunity to return to their homes
and think over any changes that might
have been made in connection with the
rules and laws Of our organization, to-
gether with the great majority CT men
interested in baseball who have been
obliged to get their information from
the press, feel that everybody has
had an opportunity to decide for him
self what was accomplished at this
convention, if anything.
Being directly in touch with the
minor league situation all over the
country, | am satisfied, as we'll as are
all men financially interested with
whom | have talked, that something
should be done to save the minor
leagues. IL is conceded that baseball
will live forever and, if that be true.
there must be some reason why the
various organizations that are promot-
ing this sport primarily out Of civic
pride) continually face deficits. There
is little use of the club owners avoid
ing real issue at this time-the game
is lust as fascinating to-day as ever.
There is some reason why chaos mas
entered into the various organizations
which make up our National Assocla-
ton. and that is true in all classes
from the A. A. to the smallest minor
league.
Legislation at Fault
Without a desire to go into every
detail at this time, my conclusion, as
we'll as that of number OF others IS
that our legislation is wholly and sole
ly responsible for the financial situa-
ton Of the various clubs; convention
after convention has been held ana
this matter talked over without results.
and il seems now that in view of the
predicament that number of the
leagues are in, it is high time some
action was taken. Under the rules or
our National Association, a special
meeting may be called at any time by
the president, or upon request 70 him
in writing of seven or more leagues,
and with that in mind 1 have four sub
jects which | will discuss briefly with
the hope of bringing about some re-
suits:
First-Territoria Rights.
Second Classification.
Third
Fourth-Farming or Optional Agree
ments. -,
Under the subject known as No.
Territorial Rights, it is needless for
me TO waste any time on this subject
as the leagues are all enduring great
hardships as 20 their circuits, geo
graphically. Why isn't it possible at
a special meeting for the different
leagues to arrange their circuits so tne
mileage would not be such factor
Take for instance the league that l
represent, together with the Western
Central and Central Association; It
would do them great good II al
would get together and redlstrlct tne
circuits, and | assume that TINS same
Situation holds good in very nearly
every case.
Reconstruction Crying Need
The subject known as classification
is nothing more or less than name
given TO the various leagues for the
cake of a record in our bylaws and
constitutions. This subject, when dis
cussed in convention, has always
proved TO be very serious one. Al
the winter meetings club owners natu-
rally take great pride in the classified
ton which they represent when a
suggestion has been made which would
change their position in any way, the
result of which is that all the leagues,
with the exception Of probably Class
AA and perhaps one of the A class,
could be reclassifed 10 great advan-
tage; and if a Redistribution took
place, the feeling that has always
entered into discussions would be en-
tirely relieved, and also the arguments
made that the fans would oppose any
particular league or town being re-
duced would be overcome.
Since the question of classification
carries with il the salary, this IS the
point that makes il extremely impor-
tant. and as il is admitted by all the
leagues that the salaries are, all exor-
bitant. why would it not be possible
AZ special meeting to reclsssify,
starting with A ard ending with Z,
and in that way make up a new salary
limit and player limit 20 meet the
present situation. This surely should
appeal TO every club owner.
Reservation Rules Faulty
The third subject, known as reser-
walton, the intention Of which is 70
protect the club owner, but, on the
contrary, as exercised now, is in di-
rect opposition 70 the intent OF the
rule. IS practised at present. the
club owners reserve all the players
they have on their list at the time the
season ends, together with any others
who may have failed to sign a CON
tract and are ineligible TO play else
where Now, II rule existed where
a club in any classiication-say, for
example, the III League. with limit
of fourteen players only re-
serve nine men, the result OF this
would be twofold. Instead of the club
owners having great difficulty In sign
Ing up the players for the ensuing