The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-15
ONE BIG LEAGUE
SIGNS AGREEMENT
New Baseball Plan Approved
by Magnates Of the
National.
PITCHER DOAK'S APPEAL
Grace for Spitball Specialists
Observation-Disclosures
Hang Fire.
PITCHER DOAK'S APPEAL
by WILLIAM Il. HANNA.

Approval and adoption of the new ma
tional agreement was the most impor-
tant business done by the National Base
ball League at its annual meeting in New
York yesterday, and doubtless when the
American League assemblies here FRIDAY
II will do the same by the new baseoali
document. The eight National League
club presidents signed 1t yesterday as
did President Heydler.
Bill Doak, the St Louis spitball pitch
er, appeared before the rnagnates as
spokesman for the spitball specialists OF
the National League. He inveighed
against the rule which prohibits the spit
ball the coming year and told what
har dship 1t would be on twirlers, OF that
ilk.
The Pittsburg, Chicago and Philadel-
phla clubs were opposed TO continuing
the moist ball after 1t had been ruled
that 1920 should be its last year. but the
matter was referred to the advisory
council Judge Lands and Messrs.
Heyder and Johnson-with n recon-
mendation that present spitban throwers
be allowed to live out their natural base
ball life.
Charles Herzogs appeal for vindica-
tion anent the charges made against MIN
by Rube Benton, the Giants pitcher,
that Herzog tried to influence the latter
to "sen" a game will be taken up to-
day, and 1t looks as IL Herzog would get
the exoneration he seeks President
Heydler said he saw no reason why
man of Herzogs standing and long as
ISOLATION with the game should be heli
culpable on the wholly unsubstantiated
charges of Benton.
Barney Dreyfuss was appointed sched-
ule maker again, a job which falls TO
him yearly. On the suggestion Oh
Charles Ebbets the period for batting
practice for each club before games was
increased from twenty to thirty minutes
THE Brooklyns need 1t" spoke stlii'
small voice from the rear of the room.
President Heydler's term Of office was
heightened by three years and his pay
envelope fattened to $4,000 year.
John McGraw and Branch Hickey. who
not only manage their respective CLUBS
New York and Chicago, but hold other
high Offices sat in with the other mag
mates for the first time. The BOARD
OF Directors had voted unanimously TO
suspend the rule barring the uoors
against managers. The new Board OF
Directors consists Of Ebbets OF Brook
lyn. Baker Of Philadelphia, Hermann OF
Cincinnati and Breadon of st. Louis.
On account Of the higher cost of pretty
much everything under the sun as well
as on that popular orb an extra ahoW-
ance was voted 20 umpires Tor their OK
the past SebSOIs ~ W III Noit'c
a nice Christmas present 10 the falthIul
arbiters.
Trades Yesterday never went any
further than talk There's more back
ing and filling and coyness in pasepan
than any other game on this well known
footstoo. Gibson of the Pirates ana
Mitchell Of the Braves felt each other
out and McGraw and Moran renewed
their efforts TO win players away from
each other. Miller Higgins and Connie
Mack resumed their tete-a-tetes. Noun
inr doing" said the manager OF the
Yankees, land It doesn't look as IL there
would be-"
Baseball men were greatly edited as
well as instructed yesterday on reading
In the official American League aver
ages that Bob Meusel was LETT named
halter. At the polo Grounds on the
road and intermediate points the Yankee
slugger always bats from the other side
IL the plate. but II the official averages
say he is a lefthander he must be-