New-York tribune., 1917-12-26

plsinable. The new contract, adopted
a year ago by the two major leagues
and later ratified by the National
Commission, embraced q new form Of
reserve clause. This was Instituted at
the time 70 safeguard the vital prin-
cipl.s Of organized baseball operations
from legal attack.
Reserve Clause as Protection
The suit for 100000 damages
against baseball, an alleged sporting
trust" had been launched by the
stockholders Of the Baltimore club OF
the defunct Federal League. The new
reserve clause was substituted for the
old on the advice Of the best obtain
able legal talent 10 Offset any pos
sible thrust under the antitrust laws.
This reserve clause makes it obliga-
tory on the part OF the employers OF
baseball players to notify such before
the close OF the contractual year
whether or not it is the intention to
exercise for the following season the
option on players services, which OPP
ton is purchased from the individual
player for a stipulated sum each time
a new contract is taken out. Most OF
the delegates went to the Chicago
meeting under the belief that salary
problems would have TO be thrashed
out then and there.
It was pointed out TO them, how
ever, by legal talent that new con-
tracts did not necessarily have to be
negotiated before the new year; that
employers had only TO signify before
that time their intention Of exercis-
ing options on services. The National
Commission. in a special bulletin TO
major league club owners, emphasized
that point and instructed the mag
mates to mail such notices TO all un-
signed players before midnight OF De-
cember 81.
This bulletin was very particular to
state that the mailing OF contracts
might be delayed until the last day
of January, as stipulated in contract
forms, il the notices in question were
issued by December 81. Penalty for
failure to notify, the bulletin added,
would be loss of player titles.
Debate Laid Over
Il is reasonable to suppose that the
Boston National League club, like all
three major league clubs of greater
! New York, has simply issued to all its
unsigned players notices that options
| for services will be exercised in due
season; for salary retrenchment was
one Of the main problems that con-
| fronted the operators. Debate on the
matter was laid over from the Chicago
meeting as too weighty to be disposed
| of In the few hours available for Joint
| deliberstion.
There is nothing to prevent Boston
or any other club mailing 1918 con-
tracts at this particular time. But un-
due haste might lead to later regret.
Before the end of next month employ
ers should have a pretty fair line on
| lust what players will be lost through
! enlistment and draft.
Doubtless the Cincinnati meeting and
| the Joint schedule meetings here In
| February will develop an unusual num-
Der Of trades, especially IL some OF the
| strongest clubs continue to be riddled
as they have been since the close OF
| the last campaign. An unsigned player
Tor on. signed at q reasonable salary
! ia cbattel far more easily disposed
Of 10 advantage than the tempera-
mental and over-paid star.
Major clubs which participated last
spring in joint tours with, rival league
srgregations appear to have become
satisfied that great training good re-
| suits from the practice. Most all OF
| them plan TO grasp the same oppor--
| tunity next spring. The three local
clubs pioneers in the movement. have
proyided themselves with worthy op-
ponents. ,
the two clubs which developed from
the personal differences OF Ty Cobb
and Charlie HerEog Detroit declined
the issue with the champion Giants
next spring. But for the Tigers the
strong Cleveland Indians have been
substituted. The Yankees will tour
with the Braves once more, and the
! Dodgers will again encounter the Bos"
ton Red Sox, both at the Hot Springs,
Ark. training camp OF the two and at
a number Of points on the way East.
! The New York Americans and Boston
| Nationals hope to entertain the SOL
diers at various cantonments OF the
Eastern sesboard.
The Chicago Cubs will train in Cali
fornia, and may have Detroit as q
PARTNER for exhibition tour purposes.
Weeghman says he can guarantee slO.-
| 900 above expenses to any good Amer
| lean League team that will take the
trip with his Cubs. He tried hard to
I secure the Yankees, but Colonel Rup-
pert declined because he believed a
/ transcontinental tour might prove too
tiresome at the end OF hard training
campaign. and might blunt the edge Of
/ physical fitness OF players.
Detroit should prove wonderful
counter attraction with the greatly
| fortified Cubs. In Alexander and Cobb
| these teams would have the greatest
| drawing cards Of the game. The cham
pion batter and champion pitcher have
not yet been greatly exploited along
the Pacific Slope.
Wilbert Robinson, manager Of the
Dodgers, will put in every available sec.
ond OF his time in the development OF
pitching talent during Brooklyn's stay
at Hot Springs. Fortunately for himself
there is no greater master in the game
al this particular art. Robbie will have
TO bestir himself, for Leon Cadore, Sher.
rod Smith and JEFF Pfeffer-his thres