NEW MAJOR LEAGUE
AGREEMENT
An Agreement between the National
League of Professional Base Ball Clubs and each of its eight constituent
clubs, on the one part, and the American League of Professional Base Ball
Clubs and each of its eight constituent clubs, of the other part.
Article I -- The Commissioner
Section 1. The office of
Commissioner is hereby created.
Sec. 2. The functions of the
Commissioner shall be as follows:
(a) To investigate either upon
complaint or upon his own initiative, any act, transaction or practice
charged, alleged or suspected to be detrimental to the best interests of the
national game of base ball; with authority to summon persons and to order
the production of documents, and in case of refusal to appear or produce, to
impose such penalties as are hereinafter provided.
(b) To determine, after
investigation, what preventive, remedial or punitive action is appropriate
in the premises, and to take such action either against major leagues, major
league clubs, or individuals, as the case may be.
(c) To hear and determine
finally any dispute between the major leagues which may be certified to him
for determination by the president of either major league.
(d) To hear and determine
finally any dispute to which a player is a party, or any dispute concerning
a player, which may be certified to him by either or any of the disputants.
(e) To formulate, and from time
to time announce, the rules of procedure to be observed by the Commissioner
and all other parties in connection with the discharge of his duties. Such
rules shall always recognize the right of any party in interest to appear
before the Commissioner and be heard and the right of the presidents of the
two major leagues to appear and be heard upon any matter affecting the
interests of the major leagues, or either of them.
Sec. 3. In the case of conduct
detrimental to base ball by major leagues, major league clubs, officers,
employes or players, punitive action by the Commissioner may in any case take
the form of a public reprimand. In the case of a major league or club, the
Commissioner may impose a fine not exceeding five thousand ($5,000) dollars
for any one offense. In the case of a major league club, punishment may
extend to temporary deprivation of representation in joint meetings held
under this Agreement. In the case of any official or employe of a major
league or of any major league club, punishment may extend to suspension or
removal. For such conduct a player may be declared by the Commissioner
temporarily or permanently ineligible to play for any club which is a party
to this Agreement.
Sec. 4. In the case of conduct
detrimental to base ball by organizations not parties to this Agreement, or
by individuals not connected with any of the parties hereto, the
Commissioner may pursue appropriate legal remedies, advocate remedial
legislation and take such other steps as he may deem necessary and proper in
the interests of the morale of the players and the honor of the game.
Sec. 5. The Commissioner shall
hold office for seven years and shall be eligible to succeed himself. His
compensation shall be fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per annum.
Sec. 6 The first Commissioner
under this Agreement shall be Kenesaw M. Landis. Upon the expiration of his
term, or upon his resignation or death during his term, his successor shall
be chosen by a vote of the majority of the clubs composing the two major
leagues. In the event of failure to elect a successor within three months
after the vacancy has arisen, either major league may request the President
of the United States to designate a Commissioner, and the person when thus
designated shall thereupon become Commissioner with the same effect as if
named herein.
Article II -- The Advisory
Council
Section 1. The Advisory Council
is hereby created, to be composed of the Commissioner and the president of
each of the major leagues. In case of a division of opinion within the
council the decision of the Commissioner shall in all cases be controlling.
Sec. 2. The Advisory Council
shall forthwith submit to the major leagues the following proposals for
adoption:
(a) Rules to govern the playing
of the World's Series games.
(b) Rules to regulate all other
contacts between the major leagues and all matters in which the major
leagues have an interest.
(c) Rules to determine the
relationships between players and clubs and between clubs and clubs. In all
cases which concern players or their contracts, a standard form of player's
contract, and such other formal documents as may from time to time be deemed
desirable.
Sec. 3. The Advisory
Council may from time to time propose to the major leagues amendments to any of the
foregoing rules, regulations or standard forms.
Sec. 4. The Advisory council
shall recommend to the major leagues from time to time the clerical and
administrative expenditures necessary and proper for the discharge of the
Commissioner's duties.
Article III -- The
Secretary-Treasurer
Section 1. The Commissioner
shall appoint a secretary-treasurer, who shall hold office during the
pleasure of the Advisory Council. His duties shall be such as the Council
shall from time to time determine. His compensation shall be fixed by the
Council subject to the approval of the major leagues.
Article IV -- Uniform Rules
Section 1. Any rules,
regulations or standard forms proposed as above by the Advisory Council
shall, upon formal acceptance by the major leagues, become binding upon them
and shall not thereafter be amended except by the concurrent action of both
major leagues. The authority of the Commissioner to determine finally a
disagreement between major leagues shall extend to the case of a
disagreement over a proposed amendment.
Sec. 2. Amendments to rules,
regulations or standard forms shall, after they have become operative, be
subject to further amendment only as provided in Section 1 of this article.
Article V -- Joint Meetings
Section 1. At all joint meetings
of the two major leagues and of their constituent clubs the Commissioner
shall preside.
Sec. 2. Upon all questions of an
inter-league nature or in any matter coming up to a joint meeting of the two
major leagues the roll shall be called, and after voting by clubs in each
league if there shall be a division, then the American League shall cast one
vote and the National League another vote. Should these two votes be at
variance then the Commissioner shall cast the deciding vote. There shall be
no appeal therefrom.
Sec. 3. Joint meetings of the
major leagues and of their constituent clubs may be called by the
Commissioner upon reasonable notice, whenever he is thereunto requested in
writing by the president of either of the said leagues.
Article VI -- Finances
Section 1. The expenses of the
Advisory Council, including the salaries of the Commissioner and of the
secretary-treasurer shall be paid by the major leagues, except to the extent
that funds sufficient for the purpose are derived from games conducted under
the auspices of the Council.
Sec. 2. The major leagues, and
each of their constituent clubs, shall, upon the demand of the Council,
contribute, share and share alike, to meet any deficiency of revenue
remaining after the application to expenses of all funds properly applicable
thereto.
Article VII -- Submission to
Jurisdiction of the Commission
Section 1. The major leagues,
and their constituent clubs, severally agree to be bound by the decisions of
the Commissioner, and the discipline imposed by him under the provisions of
this Agreement, and severally waive all right of recourse to the courts as
would otherwise have existed in their favor.
Sec. 2. The form of player's
contract to be proposed by the major leagues by the Advisory Council, and
all contracts between major leagues or clubs and their officers and employes,
shall contain a clause by which the parties agree to submit themselves to
the discipline of the Commissioner, and to accept his decisions rendered in
accordance with this Agreement.
Article VII -- Duration of
Agreement
Section 1. This Agreement shall
remain in force for twenty-five years.
Article IX -- Limitation on
Amendments
Section 1. Each of the parties
hereto subscribes to this Agreement in consideration of the promises of all
the others that no diminution or powers of the present or any succeeding
Commissioner shall be made during his term of office.
Source: 1921 Reach Guide, pp. 41-42 via The Business of Baseball