New Britain herald., 1928-12-06
BASEBALL BATTLE
READY TO START
First Day Of Convention Given
Over to Organization

Toronto, Ont. Dec. 6 LP-It was
game time today for the National
Association OF Professional Baseball
Clubs meeting in annual convention.
Infield practice was held at the
opening session yesterday. The first
day was given over to organization.
With the minors, big and little.
sharply divided on the question OF
selection of players by the majors
from the minors. the new name for
drafting athletes. the baseball stage
was set for decision with the league
presidents, players and umpires too.
The leagues below Class "A" were
understood to be in favor OF an un-
. restrained or unlimited selection
| while the three Class "AA" circuits
and one Class "A" organization-the
western-behind the modified Sc
lection which permits only players
to he drafted who were sent to the
minors by the majors, with a chance
to gain a return ticket.
W. G. rranham. Durham. N. c..
VTeSIupIll vi tHt SoutH Htldut1N ao~
ISOLATION. Piedmont and Eastern
Carolina league. leader of the forces
lighting for full and free draft.
said before the convention opened
that he would demand vote on
every section of a resolution propos-
ing a number OF amendments in
tended TO make the selection laws
more liberal.
John Conway Toole. New York.
president OF the International league.
!, regarded az the spokesman for the
modified draft contingent. was in a
position to block the amendments. as
no league now outside the draft can
be forced to enter the agreement.
The defeat of the amendments
will leave the way open to intro
duction of the so-called "Branham
resolution" which would decree that
once under the draft aways a pos
sihle draft beneficiary 80 far as the
player is concerned. President Bran.
hams proposed amendment declares
that If player signs originally in a
league where the draft is in opera
ton he will always be subject to Sc
lection, even II he later graduates to
a league where the rule against
wholesale selection Is in iron clad.
Mr.. Branham said he would insist
ON a roll call vote on his resolution.
Trades and new connections con-
tinued TO be major part Of the
sessions activities. Birmingham OF
the Southern association purchased
the release of Outfielder Herschel
Bennett. formerly Of the st. Louis
Browns. from the Milwaukee. Amer
lean association club.
The Barons also bought the re-
lease of Pitchers Arthur Vols and
William Ludolph from the Mission
club of the Pacific Coast league.
They were with Little Rock last
year. Pitcher Robert X. Hasty. who
pitched for Birmingham last year,
was bought from Oakland.
Intielder Ray Vivens was sold by
Topeka of the Western association
to Terre Haute Of the l. l. l. league.
Denver of the Western league
purchased the release OF Catcher
Andy Vargas from San Francisco OF
the Pacific Coast league.
Benny Meyer. who was coach FOR
the Philadelphia Nationals under
the administration of Manager Art
Fletcher, returned 10 baseball by
signing to act as coach for Detroit.
1t was announced today that
Rochester of the International
league would transfer its spring
training camp from Monroe. La. TO
Plant City. Fla. The Red Wings Will
transfer their training base to take
advantage Of increased opportunity
to book exhibition games in Florida
The three major league clubs 70
train in the west, the Pirates and
Cubs in California and Tigers Ut
Phoenix. Ariz, have arranged an
ambitious schedule of spring games
in California. Arizona and Texas.