Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-15
NATIONAL LEAGUE
RETAINS HEyDLER
Reelected President for Four
Years, Though Contract Had
Year to Go

New York, Dec. 15.-The Nationa
League Of Professional Baseball Clubs
In annual session at the Waldorf yes
terday, paid q high compliment TO 10
president, John A. Heydler. The con
tract under which Mr.. Heydler has been
directing the affairs Of the organisation
would expire In another year, but the
club owners decided not to wait that
long before showing their appreciation
Of the presidents work.
After President Charles II. Fbbets,
Of the Brooklyn club, had made a
highly eulogistic speech about Mr..
Heydlcr, the club owners unanimously
voted TO continue him in Office for the
next four years and to give him q sub
stantial salary increase.
Four years is the limit Of Office ten.
ure, according to the. constitution Of
the league. Mr.. Heydler has been work
Ing under a $4,000 contract and the
new one Is said to call for SIC 900 an
nually.
Harmony was the byword Of the
meeting, which proceeded In marked
contrast to 30 many annual sessions Of
President Heydler In his annual report
mentioned the fact that the 1920 sea
son had proved the most successful in
the forty four years of the leagues ex-
istence, the paid attendance being over
million beyond the figure for the pre-
vious season.
or particular interest to the fan was
the decision Of the club owners In favor
Of allowing the registered spitball pitch
ers OF the league to continue until the
end Of their major league careers. A
year ago IL was decided that spitball
pitching would be under the ban after
the 1920 season, the American League
passing a concurrent vote on the propo-
sition at q Joint meeting.
Six Of the eight National League
clubs yesterday voted to recommend to
the new advisory board, created under
the new agreement, that these pitchers
be allowed to use the spitball.
The American League will vote on
the same proposition at its meeting here
on Friday, and IL the decision Is favor
able all major league spitball pitchers
will be allowed to continue the use Of
the delivery, but no new pitchers will
enjoy this consideration.
The spitball question was submitted
to the league In a letter by Pitcher Bill
Doak, of the st. Louis Cardinals, who
asked that consideration be extended to
the nine registered spitball pitchers Of
the National League.
The list includes Doak and Goodwin,
OF st. Louis; Grimes and Mitchell, OF
brooklyn; FillinSim and Rudolph, Of
Boston Hendrix, of Chicago; Douglas,
OF New York, and Fischer. Of Cincin.
Doak In his communication arrued
that II the spitball were barred It would
deprive all these pitchers Of their great
est power as pitchers. The Chicago
and Pittsburgh representatives opposed
further grace for the particular deliv. |
cry. but the six other clubs cast affirm.
ative votes and the question now goes
to the American League, which Ia ex. |
pected to take favorable action.
The rule In force for some years past |
against the recall Of waivers after they
,nce were asked was rescinded, and In |
he future It will be possible for q club |
,wner to recall waiver requests. In re.
,ent years Il has been necessary for the
,lub holding title to a player to dispose
u his services at the stipulated price Of
I2500 II some other club refused Ia
valve on him. The American League
ormerly worked under a similar rule.
nut 1t went back to the recall plan a
rear ago.