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 n 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
amend-ments 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.