New Britain herald., 1917-12-13
CLUBS MAY Divide
RECEIPTS OF SERIES
National League Owners Discuss
Matter at Second Days Session

New York Dec. 13.-The second
days session Of the National League
brought out few of the startling situa-
tons which featured the opening days
session. The punch was taken out of
the meeting on Tuesday, when the
ALEXANDRIA, illifer deal was put over
and Tener was reelected president,
despite his announced intention to de-
vote practically his entire time to a
new enterprise.
The National League rushed it's bus
mess through three sessions-morning,
afternoon and night, but. on the whole,
nothing but routine matters was trans
acted. The league worked in double
quick time yesterday so the club own
ers might be able to leave this after
noon for: the joint conference with the
American League in Chicago, which is
scheduled for tomorrow.
Announcement was made that both
the questions Of schedule and player
limits were discussed informally, but
that nothing positive could be done
on those questions until the Joint
meeting with the American League.
.rener announced however that it was
the sense of the meeting to play again
a 1874 game sch edule in 1918. Tener
has continually maintained that it
would be inadvisable to curb the old
schedule and will advocate the reten-
ton of the 1874 game schedule at the
Chicago meeting.
Give Player Right to Appeal.
It was learned, however, that the
National League adopted a tentative
schedule of 1874 games, starting April
16 and closing September 80. This
would mean that the playing season
would be about ten days shorter than
formerly, and would require a certain
number of double headers.
The National League constitution
was SO amended that a player sus-
pended for a period longer than ten
days will have the right to appeal to
the board Of directors. 1t was an
| nounced that this bit Of legislation was
adopted because of two contradictory
sections of the constitution which
, were brought to light at the time Of
the McGraw trial last summer. At the
time there was doubt whether McGraw
or the New York club had the right
| of appeal from Tener's decision sus-
| pending McGraw sixteen days. It was
then decided there could be no appeal,
! but should a similar case arise the
/ player now would have the right to
F., appeal.
Only a year ago the league, desir-
ing to give Tener unlimited power,
passed an amendment to the constitu-
ton which did away with appeals
from the presidents decision. It is
significant that yesterdays action was
taken at time when Tener was alb
HTyH.
again unanimously Endorsed President
Tener's proposition for a pro rata di-
vision Of the worlds series receipts
The scheme was approved by the MI
tional League a year ago, but the
! American League did not like 1t. In
approving it yesterday tho National
League voted that it again be referred
to the American League for consider
! alton at the joint meeting.
The proposition calls for a Meyers
worlds series purse little larger than
the present rules allow, but the con-
testing teams would get only 60 per
cent. OF it. The other 40 per cent
would be divided among the other
clubs, with the exception Of tho tail
enders. or pro rata shares, the object
being to stimulate interest among the
players in the fight for positions.
Branch Hickey of ST.. Louis was anx-
ious to have the withdrawal waiv-
er rule abolished, but his proposition
was voted down. Under the provisions
of this rule q club may now withdraw
waivers if another club puts in a
claim for the player waivers werc
asked upon. According to a report by
Secretary Heydler, waivers wero asked
on $50 National League players last
season, on whom twenty-one were
claimed by other clubs and twelve by
National Association clubs.
Must Put Curb On Passes.
The subject of passes was freely
discussed, but action upon 1t was de-
ferred. 1t was stated, however, that |
the sense of the meeting was that !
passes were becoming O growing evil !
which must sooner or later be curbed. |
1T was also decided that each club |
should set aside one day in the season |
to be designated as Clark Griffith Bat |
and Ball Day, when Is per cent Of the !
gross receipts will be turned over to |
Griff1th's Bat and Ball Fund. In a let !
ter to the league, Griffith said he took |
in $3.50 last season and hopes to
take in 100000 next season.
The National League constitution |
also was amended so as to define an
open date more clearly. Under the /
new definition anything is an open
date when no game is scheduled.
The league also voted to adopt a
uniform code of club rules to be post
ed in the clubhouses of the various
clubs. They define the department ex-
pected of players off and on the field,
insist on clean uniforms, define hours
of reporting, etc. Heretofore each
club has had it's own rules. These rules