Coast Decides on 20 Players

January 16, 1924

COAST DECIDES

ON 20 PLAYERS

IN MIDSEASON

Constitution Cleared to Avoid Repetition of Row Caused by McCarthy-Two Spitball Pitchers Added.

Special to The Times.

OAKLAND, Wednesday, Jan. 16. -The Pacific Coast League continued its meeting yesterday at the Hotel Oakland, with several changes accepted in its constitution, the insurance question closed and the agreement on the part of the owners to give its moral support to the organization of the Southern California League.

William Lane of Salt Lake, Oscar Reichow of Los Angeles, and Fred Rivers of Portland were called upon to suggest changes in the constitution. Their final decisions were as follows:

That a majority of the league voters can elect a man to office instead of the old rule of requiring five members to name an officer. 

That the president of the league has no power to vote on any issue. 

That in the event of an appointment of a new director to a club, the league can refuse to recognize him, but has to recognize the club.

That the annual meeting of the league will be held in November instead of October.

President Harry Williams, Alfred Putnam of-San Francisco, Oscor Reichow of Los Angeles and Herbert McFarline of Oakland were appointed to revise the by-laws of the league and to put them in simpler language.

The representatives of the clubs agreed to the insurance question, The league will carry its own insurance with an aggregate sum of $88,400 for the first four weeks, the first four Sundays, the first four Saturdays, and the last two weeks of the season. Each club will be assessed an equal amount of the total premium.

The league also pledged its moral support to the organization of the Southern California League, a Class C circuit, Santa Ana, Glendale, San Diego, and Longbeach will compose the league. It was also announced by William Lane of Salt Lake that he was leaving immediately after the meeting for Fresno, where he will formulate plans for a San Joaquin Valley League, to consist of four clubs. The winners of the Southern California and Valley League pennants will meet in a post-season series for the championship. The player limit was set at twenty from June 3 to September 1 with twenty-five allowed at other times.

A resolution fostered by President Williams calling for payment of part of the expenses of league umpires was passed. Each umpire will be allowed $3 a day for the fourteen weeks of the season.

An invitation to Mike Sexton, president of the Minor League Association, to visit the Pacific Coast League as guest of the organization, was extended in a resolution.

To the league's list of certified spitball pitchers was added the names of Elmer Reiger and Boston Bill James. Under this arrangement only listed spitball pitchers may dampen the ball before a delivery is made.

Passing of the so-called "booze cage" in parks under the control of the league was indicated by a vote... (Seattle Daily Times)