Evening star., 1929-12-12
JOINT MEETING ON
FOR MOGULS TODAY
Question of BroadCasting
Games to Be Left Up
to Individual Clubs.
BY WILLIAM J. CHAPMAN,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

n YEW YORK, December l2.-The
N great battle of unbroken ST.
Nj lenceS came to a climax today
with a combined meeting OF
National and American League
base ball forces at the Bntmore. Even
at this farewell conclave today the most
important item to the fanS-the ques-
ton of an earlier closing year-cannot
be officially decided: some of the guard
house lawyers having discovered that
the two constitutions place this matter
entirely in the hands Of the league
presidents.
Since both John Heydler and Ernest
barnard are known to favor closing
in September, It is safe to presume that
the next major league campaign VIII
extend from Tuesday, April is, through
Sunday, September %. Such cnart
would provide for 169 possible playing
days, an ample number with Boston
playing Sunday base ball.
The chief matter before the joint
meeting was another thing dear to
Commissioner K. M. Landis-h1s project
to require both major and minor league
clubs to give official notice to base ball
authorities upon acquiring control OF
franchise in q smaller league. Inc
commissioner, arch-enemy OF cnaln-
store ownership. believes that clubs pur-
chasing lesser teams should oe 1orceo
to notify the commissioner once. tne
two major league headquarters and the
National Association OF Professional
Base Ball Leagues.
The operation of such rule would
RlIide ali clubs in organized base Dali
In their scouting activities. The rule
could be beaten, of course, by secret
working agreements, but the magnates
VIII think twice before trying any such
subterfuge. They remember What Com
missioner Lands did last Spring in the
case of several transactions which ne
ruled irregular.
The question of broadcaSting major
league games also was on the agenda
of the Joint meeting today, with the
chances favoring a retention OF the
nresent status of leaving the matter up
to each individual club to decide Tor
itself.
Further deals or swaps OF players re-
mained in the air. The wholesale nome
coming made possible by the two trans
actions Yesterday was featured by the
return of Grover Alexander to the park
where he won his major league spurs
in l9ll-Baker Bowl in Philadelphia
Old Alex the Great broke in 18 years
ago with % victories. No first-year
man since has been able to approach
such a mark.
Robert Shawkey, new manager OF the
Yankees, announced that the coaching
question already had been settled by
the Yankees, that Charlie O'Leary and
Art Fletcher would return for another
campaign. This admission disposed OF
reports that Wally Pipp would be signed
by the club with which he spent most
Of his major league career.
The meetings of each individual
league at the Commodore ended yesteT-
day with the terse bulletin: "All quiet
on the base ball 'front.'" The Winter
meetings doubtless will remain so un-
til some other "czar" rises to challenge
duly constituted authority.
The American League, according 10
President Barnard, devoted its time TO
''priyate and internal" affairs of mo
public interest" The National League
goings-on were more open, but of only
slightly more interest, particularly since
no positive action was taken.
The National League did decide to
ask the manufacturers of the official
league ball whether the balls could be
made without gloss. The senior major
circuit last year had its umpires remove
the gloss after the halfway post IN
the race had been reached. Anti-home
run screens also were discussed, but no
action was taken.
While it is improbable that the rules
committee will be convened this Win
ter, the two leagues may put different
Interpretation on an approved ground
rule, which has caused trouble from
time to time. In the matter of wild
throw into a dug-out, two bases now
are allowed from the point the runner
has reached when the giddy toss is
made. This may be changed to one
baes in addition to the one for which
the PLAYER is headed at the time the
throw is made.