Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-13
Plan CHANGES IN
BASEBALL RULES
Contract May Be Revised to
Cover Twelve Months In
stead Of Playing Season


New York, Dec. 13.-Revision of the
rules governing the great outdoor sport
a, Americans and general overhaullng
:, The game were contemplated when
onimnjols of the National League Of
paseboll Clubs met In annual conven-
a. here today. There were no root
Inc crowds to urge the moguls of the
% ZANE into frenzied action, nor did the
ssw,t of the ball on glove or bat rebound
or the battlefield. but there seemed to
Ia nronisc Of fireworks before the meet
inr was adjourned.
Tbe owners and managers professed
,st;gue over the annual holdout epidemic
and efforts were expected to so arrange
things that when a star player goes off
IN a corner and pouts for more pennies
n will be possible TO give him a good
snsnking and make him 60 to bat. There
was under consideration q new con.
tract. under which players would be
signed for twelve months instead of the
playing season. ,
nresident, said he would propose the
fIlng of a limit on the prices to be paid
minor league clubs for players sold TO
majors. Other officials Of the senior
circuit said they favored such pro-
posal because they were of the opinion
that the high prices demanded by the
minors were causing dissatisfaction and
were menace to a continuance Of the
drafting rule.
May Change Rules
Some Of the owners declared they
would propose elimination of the rule
preventing World Series players from
transforming the clause that caused
George Herman Ruth, Robert Meusel
and William Piercy to be deprived Of
their World Series money and to be
suspended for about six weeks of the
1922 playing season. Other officials as
serted their desire for rule that will
curb the use of pinch h!tters.
The present arrangement regarding
players on the reserve list and players
out on optional agreement also was
slated for argument. The major leagues
are at present permitted to carry forty
men on the reserve list and eight on
optional agreements. They want the
limit raised, respectively. to fifty and
twelve. President Toole. OF the Inter
national League, said yesterday that
his league would have no objection to
such increases, out 1t would Ike to see
the big fellows try to keep measurably
near, at least, to the limits designated.
There will be some talk, it was said,
about reduction of admission prices.
but some of the wiscacres declared that
the owners knew that the fans would
pay what they asked and that they
didn't expect any reduction. except,
maybe, for oWrld Series gamea.
Against Draft
The International League failed to
clear up its arguments In yesterdays
session and was TO meet again today.
President Toole said there were "sev-
ernl important matters" TO settle. The
league yesterday voted to refrain from
any discussion Of the present draft syB-
TEN during the life Of the rule, seven
years (the term of office of Commits
Sioner Landis).
''lf the majors come forward with
an equitable proposition for new
drafting system" Mr.. Toole said. 1--WE
would be glad to adopt it, but us the
system stands we cannot consider II for
4 moment"
Mr. Toole, President Hickey, OF the
American Association, and President
Mccarthy, of the Coast League. will
'VhleI WIFI tnc IHdJOTS lHuTSuhy re-
yarding the rule having to do with the
Invasion Of minor league territory by a
major league. The minors, it was said
are worried about the standing rule and
have fears that the National League Is
casting longing eyes at Toronto and
maybe another city in their territory.
Higgins TO Remain
Miller Huggins announced this morn =
ing he fully expected to manage the
Yankees again next season and said that
he would talk with the Yankee owners
some time during the day regarding the
matter.
Higgins denied any knowledge OF the
reported deal with Detroit involving
vesch and Ehmke, of Detroit, and
Johnny Mitchell, the Yankee infelder
Other folks said, however, that the dea
actually was In the making and that
there would be confab about 1t soon,
Huggins said he had no intention Of
trading Roger Peckinpaugh for Rice OIL
Judge, of Washington.