The Washington times., 1928-12-06
BASE BAL |.
DRAFT HOT
SUBJECT
BY Davis J. walsh

New York, Boston and Wash
ington were alleged here to
be on the verge Of a big
three-way deal as the Ma
tional Association Of Profes-
sional Baseball Leagues re-
sumed its convention today.
with the terrible draft ques-
tion blowing its fevered
breath on the learned and
well informed assemblage.
Details Of the trade were lacking
as usual, which forcibly reminded
one of the draft situation because
it was so different. The latter
was as full of details as q window.
cleaners bucket.
All anyone could testify about
the mooted trade was that the
Yankees must emerge from same
with third baseman, Naturally
fha hovs being notoriously accom-
modating with other peoples prop
ertv. staked them to Ossie Bluege,
but Clark Griffith and Manager
Walter Johnson deny they will part
with Ossie.
The draft will get the airing
OF its career today when the
matter will be considered from
several standp0ints, all of them
hugely unsatisfactory to the
faction not concerned with
their provisions, hereinafter to
be known as "tIhe other guy"
The Class AA leagues, namely
the American Association, the In
ternationaI and the Pacific Coast
Leagues, reached an agreement on
what they fain would consider a
proper draft and among other things
their plan suggests the dissertation
of major league clubs from any
and all minor league franchises.
In other words they would outlaw
Branch Rickey's chain store" sys-
tenn in Rochester, Houston and
other points and make Bill Wrig-
ley sell himself right out Of Los
Angeles.
However. the class AA leagues
are all heart, even when their mood
Is obdurate. They will give Hickey
and Wrigley and major league clubs
in general period of three years
in which to effect this minor
change in their daily routine. 1t
is understood, they say. that Judge
Lands favors this proposal. Who
understands that? The class AA
leagues, of course. they understand
everything, even the draft situation
itself.
other phases of the AA proposal,
in adoption of thN Henry Killilea
plan. calls for the following:
Sand lot and college ball players
developed in Class "A ranks not to
be subject to draft for a period of
four years: Players sent back to the
class AA leagues by the majors not
to be subject to draft for period
of two years: The so-called uni
veral Draft" to go into operation
if these features are accepted by
the majors and the latter agree to
the raising of the draft price on IA
players to $4,000.
That is that one, here is another.
1t is sponsored by Judge
w. G. Branham. of the Pied
mont League, and calls Tor q
comprehensive widening of all
draft restrictions "in order that
ball players are not made into
serfs." The judge says these
two year and four year closed
seasons on drafting would nor
stand up i'm a court of law for a
minute He is all for giving
ambition a free run and SAYS. IN
effect, that the proposed re-
strictiOns would stifle ambition
like an overseer's whip.
However. It is not his intention
to offer a solution, unless the pro-
posed amendments to the major
minor league agreement by the ad-
visory council are not accepted.
This is tantamount to saying that
the Judge Is warming up his octave,
because the councils suggestions
are due to break even time for. the
first hundred yards in running for
Mrs. Sweeney's son.
Among the amendments proposed
are these:
The raising Of the draft price to
81 500 for Glass AA leagues; $4,000
for Glass A: $4,000 for Class b;
50 900 for Class C: $1,50O for Glass
D. The price for the selected player
is TO be paid in full Immediately the
deal is closed.
One man only to be selected
from each club in the Class IA
and Class A leagues and no
club to be allowed to cancel its
selection. Also, no players with.
out previous professional ex-
perience to be signed by the
major leagues, except college
players.
Leagues to have title to or con-
troll of the following number OF
players:
Major leagues. 40 players to be
reduced to 25 active players between
June IS and August 81. Class AA,
"A plavers to be reduced to 25 ac-
tive nlayers 80 days after seasons
opening to August 25. Class A, 30
nlayers to be reduced to % twenty
davs after seasons opening until
August 25. Glass B, 25 players to
he reduced to 16 under much the
same conditions Classes G and ID.
Ia PLAYERS from 90 days after open
ing until August 25. Also 20 players
from August 26 to January l and
unlimited from that time until 70
davs after seasons opening.
The selections to be made on the
following system;