Clipping:Abuses of the reserve rule; dealing with the AA
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| Date | Sunday, September 24, 1882 |
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| Text | [reporting on the special meeting of the NL] In the evening the delegates assembled in Mayor Thompson's room at the Continental to discuss informally certain matters connected with the League and the national game. Mr. Thompson spoke at considerable length upon the abuses contained in what is known as the “five-men rule,” under which a manager could hold any five players as long as he chose, and could then summarily discharge them without notice. The speaker held that this rule was unjust to the players, inasmuch as it prevented a player from improving his prospects, and frequently kept him from getting an engagement, as managers often took advantage of the rule to extend their season until after all the other clubs had been filled for the ensuing year. He also contended that the rule was imperative, as players are becoming independent, and had already disregarded it in many instances. “Why,” said Mr. Thompson, “I know it to be a fact that Bennett and Knight, of my club (Detroit), have signed with the Allegheny club for next year, although under the rule they were not allowed to do so until I had closed my season. In view of the rivalry between the American Association and the League, it becomes necessary for us to adopt some measure which will be just alike to the player and manager. You cannot afford to sneer at the American Association, and call it the abortion of the League. The American Association clubs have all made money this season, and the aggregate population of the cities in which they play far exceed that of the League cities. The Association has Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Louisville and Allegheny, including Pittsburg, while the League has been handicapped with Worcester and Troy—small places that could not afford a League club. In consequence, the other League club shave been compelled to contribute to their support in order to keep them from withdrawing in the middle of the season and breaking up the schedule. No, gentlemen, you cannot afford to sneer at the Association. They are taking our players because they can afford to pay high salaries. … This independence on the part of the players shows plainly that there is a necessity for some measure that will protect us, and at the same time do no injustice to them. Several other delegates spoke against the five-men rule, but some were in favor of treating the Association with contempt, and one gentleman remarked that there were new players coming up who could well fill the places of those whom the Association had taken away. Another delegate remarked that the players being taken by the American Association were those who were favorites with the public, whereas now players would have to make reputations. It was finally decided to refer the whole matter to the general meeting of the League in December. At a late hour the delegates adjourned to take the night trains to their respective homes. The general tone of the conference was to respect the Association and to view it as it is, an organization in every respect equal and much stronger financially, than the League. There was no mistaking the fact that the League clubs feel rather scared over the desertion of their players and were willing to make any concession that would steady their faltering ranks. |
| Source | Philadelphia Item |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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