Evening journal., 1918-02-12
MINOR LEAGUES ARE
Granted REFORMS
National Agreement, Base.
ball Constitution, Revised
by Commission
RECOGNIZE THE
RETIRED LIST

national agreement. recently udNu Hp
by the National Commission. Most Of
the work was done by August Herr
mann. chairman Of the commission.
The object Of the new National agree
ment was 90 rectify aud correct faults
which developed during the thirteen
years the old National agreement was
IN force II also gives the minor leagues
some OF the reforms they requested
year ago, and. though the agreement no
longer recognizes the Players Frater-
nitv. It gives the players ell the con-
ce sions granted them while their or
sanitation was a factor IN baseball.
70 also provides for q voluntary re-
tired" list. in which classification are
placed PLAYERS who have been drafted
or have enlisted. Such players DO not
count against the player limits Of their
respective clubs Heydlers statement
follows.
The new National agreement for the
government Of organized baseball was
recently promulgated 20 all leagues and
clubs. and Is now operative through
out the country. The document carries
the SIGNATURES OF b. B Johnson and
John X. Tener, representing the two
major leagues, party Of the first part
and NJ Sexton, president OF the As
sociation Of Minor Leagues, party Of the
second part. The lewiston was mostly
the work Of Chairman Hermann, Of the
National Commission
The legislative faults and abuses or
rules that have been uncovered by thir-
teen years Of baseball peace are sought
20 be remedied IN this revision, ana
baseball men generally agree tnat me
nresenf Instrument is the ideal one for
-F
ional pastime Of America; for protec-
iion Of the property rights Of those en-
gagged in the game; for promtion Of
the welfare Of ball players as class.
and for adoption of a uniform code OF
rules for playing baseball'-all OF
which principles are set forth in the
preamble
Hereafter when a dispute arises, be
tween a major and minor league club II
will be admdicated by the commission
the president OF the minor league NJ
interest and the secretary OF the Asso'
cietlon Of Minor Leagues. F0rmerl,
ihe commission wa sole arbitrator
The FIRST case 10 De decided by this new
court is the protest Of the Oakland
Cal. club against the transfer OF Playe
william Stumpf by Spokane to Pitts
burgh.
The parlod for drafting players from
minor leagues Is now fixed from sep
iember % TO % Eve days later thar
formerly. and cancellation Of any draf
must be made within tweniy-four hour
instead OF five days as formerly. Club
will not be allowed to have more thai
eight players out on option at any time
including those sent out for the secon'
time.
When a PLAYER now Is purchased o
repurchased from a Glass AA league D.
may remain with the minor league cluI
until the close Of the season. The Oh
agreement provided for his reporiln
immediately The revision prevents ih
loss 10 minors OF promising player
while the championship season Is on
The forty-flve day probationary cor
tract for young players coming 10 IN
big leagues has been stricken from th
arroemcnt 10 was found that this fea
ture tied mp the club and player wit
red iape and was productive Of no goo
results. No longer will major Lacquer
sign contracts providing for l1 per cen
of their pay as salary and % per cen
as the option paid for right Of reservl
fion. The division will now be option'
with the club, but the total compens-
fion will be paid the player whethe
the option TO reserve is exercised or no
md provided, OF course. the player
not released before the expiration Of h
contract.
That the baseball powers are dete
mined % deal fairly with their player
despite the abrogalion by them OF u
agreement with the Players Fraternit
is proved by the incorporation in the u
fional agreement OF the various conce
sions made the players organization
1914 These may be summarized as 70
lows:
4. Ten days notice In writing mu
he given a major league player ,Wh'
Internationally released. and five ca'
20 a Glass IA or A player.
2. When a player is released 70 a.
other club written notice Of the como
lions Of transfer must be furnish
him.
In case all the conditions Of
players contract as agreed by u
psrfies arc not written into the co
tract. the player shall be declared
free agent. and the offending club,
rs manager III the latter has be
proven "a party 20 the 0fiensel shall
lined IN amounts ranging from $500
500
&. Travelling expenses, includi
leepcrs and meals en- route, must
paid major LEAGUE PLAYERS from IN
homes 10 training camps.
; A player who has been in I
major leagues for ten years cannot
released 10 a minor league except he
willing 10 make such transfer and
other major league clubs have waiy
On his services.
G Two new sections Of the agrl
inent cover the provisions RESTRICT
the sending OF a player to a low
league before he has been offered
Class "A and a leagues; thus keepi
him in the highest classification
skill may warrant.
J. a copy OF his contract, VIII
shall be considered an original, ml
be furnished the player.
In the matter Of making new play
rules. 10 is no longer left to the
tiona Commission TO certify TO all p
Tics when a need exists for amend
the rules. Hereafter. when either ma
ieasuo certities that in IFS judgment
rules require amendment the Gu
mission must serve notice on hi