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National League Files: Reorganization of Baseball

 Collection
Identifier: BA MSS 139

Scope and Contents

Included in this collection are drafts and revisions of various agreements such as the Resolution of October 18, 1920 to form a 12-club league. Correspondence related to the formation of the position of Commissioner and the Lasker Plan.

Dates

  • 1918-1921

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions but viewing materials does require an appointment. Please contact the Giamatti Research Center, research@baseballhall.org, 607-547-0330.

Conditions Governing Use

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum provides use copies of materials to facilitate private study, scholarship, and research. The Museum welcomes you to use materials in our collections that are in the public domain and to make fair use of copyrighted materials as defined by copyright law and with proper citation.

Biographical / Historical

In the wake of the Black Sox scandal and dissatisfied with Ban Johnson, AL president, the National League wanted to reorganize major league baseball. A revised agreement with the National Association was drafted, as well as revisions to the National Agreement and playing rules. Albert Lasker, owner of the Chicago Cubs, was the original planner for the Lasker Plan, a report that recommended baseball's governing authority be reformed which led to the creation of the office of the Commissioner.

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet (in 3 document boxes)

1.38 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This is a collection of correspondence, telegrams and agreements between the Major and the Minor Leagues and the establishment of the Commissioner’s office. These files were from the National League office.

Arrangement

This collection is organized by subject matter and chronologically.

Physical Location

Manuscript Archives, Aisle 9, Range e, Shelf 1

Custodial History

This collection was created and compiled by the National League. It was kept by and donated to the NBHOF in 2004 by the Office of the Commissioner.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift (BL-569-2011)

Appraisal

No material was removed during accessing or processing.

Processing Information

Items were placed in acid-free sleeves where needed, foldered, and stored in document boxes.

Title
Guide to the National League Files: Reorganization of Baseball
Status
Completed
Author
Claudette Scrafford, Manuscript Archivist
Date
September 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archives Repository

Contact:
25 Main St.
Cooperstown NEW YORK 13326 USA