The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-12-02
JUDGE LANDS.
TO RULE ON hot.
MINOR SQUADDLE.
BY GLEN PERKINS
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent


UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
New York, December 2. - UP) II
The minor leagues, still stealing the
fireworks from the majors at base
balls annual mid-winter meeting,
prepared today to conclude one OF
the bitterest battles in diamond his
tory by calling on Judge Kennesaw
M. Lands, high commissioner Of the
sport, for assistance.
The action of the minors yesterday
was highIghted by the somewhat
peculiar reelection of Judge William
G. Bramham to his third five year
term as president of the National
Association of Professional Baseball
Leagues-the governing body Of the
minor circuits-by a vote Of Is to 0.
The much talked of opposition to
Bramham and to Lands was so thor
oughly squelched at yesterdays ses-
sion that rival factions did not even
propose the name of their candidate,
Frank j. Shaughnessy, president of
the International League, for nom
nation.
Bramham, III reality, reelected
himself and in his action forced the
routed opposition to take their
troubles to Lands, whom they also
oppose, for a. possible reprieve.
The Gar of the minors put him
self into office by simply reversing
his own prior decision and ruling
that the 16 non-operative leagues
would be permitted to vote at this
years convention. In the uproar
that followed, Braham told object
ors they could appeal to the floor If
they wished. Headed by the three
double "a" clubs, the American As
ISOLATION, the International League
and the Pacific Coast League. the
opposition did appeal to the floor
the same 16-clubs which the judge
had just given the right to vote
and who, quite naturally, supported
him all down the line.
Shaughnessy said after the re-
versal that his faction would not
take the decision Lying down" and
appealed last night to Judge Ian
dis. Lands listened to the argu-
ment for two hours and said he
would announce his decision today,
probably before the minor league
session reconvelles.
Practically the only victory" the
upper class minors achieved was a
recess until 10 a. m. today so that
they could rally their forces for a
last ditch fight. 1t was believed only
remotely possible that Lands would
reverse the ruling.
Another victory for the little clubs
was achieved when the convention
voted to retain the present Major
Minor League agreement for another
year-the document by which Lam
dis holds his power over all organ
lied baseball. A proposal that 1t
be allowed to expire, submitted by
George Trautman, president of the
American association, was voted
down.
The opening of the major leagues
separate sessions saw both circuits
vote to play a 154-ga1ne schedule
again this season, although the
American League favored a COM
preston of the season to 22weeks,
opening week later and closing a
week earlier. The National League
favored the regular 24-week season,
but it is believed that an agreement
will be reached today.
They also voted to allow the
Washington Senators to play as
many night games as desired after
May 5, exclusive of Sundays and
holidays, the same arrangement as
the Senators enjoyed last year. The
legal limit of night games for the
other clubs was set at IA, although
some provisions for an increase may
be made today for the two st. Louis
clubs.
The annual all-star game was set
for Tuesday, July II, at Pittsburgh,
with the proceeds going to the bat
and ball fund.
Activities outside the sessions
were highlighted by the announce
ment from Bob Carpenter, Jr, new
president of the Philadelphia Phil
lies, that Herb Pennock, veteran
pitcher and former manager of the
Boston Red Sox Farm Clubs, had
accepted the offer to become gen.
eral manager of the Phillies. Pen
mock, Carpenter said, will have COM
plete charge of the management Of
the clubs affairs. He also stated
that if he was called into the serv-
ice, Pennock would take over the
chief executive duties.