10-26-06
NAME AND PURPOSE
ARTICLE 1. This association shall be called the "Northern League of Professional Baseball Clubs." ARTICLE 2. The
objects of this league are:
(1) To perpetuate baseball as the national game of the United States and to surround it with such safeguards as to warrant
absolute confidence in its integrity and methods.
(2) To protect and promote the mutual interest of professional baseball clubs and of professional players.
(3) To establish and regulate the baseball championship of the Northern League.
MEMBERSHIP AND CLASSIFICATION
ARTICLE 3. (1). This league shall consist of eight franchises, which are presently located as follows:
Active Franchises: Aberdeen, South Dakota; Duluth, Minnesota; Huron, South Dakota; St. Cloud, Minnesota; Sioux Falls,
South Dakota; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Inactive Franchises: Grand Forks, North Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota.
(2) This league shall be Class A as defined by the rules of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues of
which it is a member and shall be subject to the rules and precedents thereof except when in conflict with the provisions hereof.
(3) Each club shall qualify annually by January 1 for membership by filing with the president for forwarding to the president
of the National Association protection fee.
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ARTICLE 4. (1) Except between January 1 and the close of the championship and series schedule in each year, any club
member of this league, finding itself unable to meet the obligation it has assumed, shall have the right to ask the league for
permission to dispose of its rights and franchise as a member of this league to some other city or organization. In the event
of this league giving its consent to the acceptance of such city or organization to membership, such club member shall be
admitted to membership, providing said club shall assume, together with the rights and franchise of said retiring club, all the
liabilities, responsibilities and obligations entered into by said retiring club as a member of ths league. Provided, however,
and it must be so understood by the retiring club and the new member, that the retiring club shall not be relieved or released
from any contracts, responsibilities and obligations entered into by it to this league, until all of said contracts,
responsibilities, and obligations have been fully paid and determined by the Club accepting its membership, rights, franchises,
etc.
(2) In the event of withdrawal between January 1 and the close of the championship and series schedule in any year the
National Association protection fee and the National Association salary deposit guaranty shall be disposed of by mutual
agreement between the National Association and the president of the league.
ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 5. An application for membership must show that the club bears the name of the city. Application for
membership must show that the club bears the name of the city in which it is located, and that it is regularly organized and
officered. Such application shall be made to the president of the league, who shall report upon said application immediately
after investigation and said report to be considered to the directors through the president.
ARTICLE 6. The voting upon an application for membership shall be by ballot, a three-fourths vote being required for
election. Every club shall, immediately after election, forward to the league secretary who shall forward to the president of
the National Association $100.00 for protection in Class A. Together with cash equal to the National Association salary
deposit guaranty for the year, and in cases where the league is granting a new membership (excluding the transfer of existing
memberships on membership sales duly approved by the league) together with cash equal to each member's equity in the
league treasury per audited statement prior to issuance of any new membership.
ARTICLE 7. In case a vacancy occurs in the membership of this organization during the championship season, the president
is empowered to fill such vacancy, using his judgment as to the life of the franchise, but such clubs shall be subject to all the
rules and requirements of this organization.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 8. The membership of any club may be terminated:
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(1) By the resignation duly accepted by a three-fourth vote of all the clubs in meeting duly convened as provided in Article 4.
(2) Failure to present its nine at the time and place agreed upon to play any championship game, unless caused by
unavoidable accident in traveling.
(3) Allowing open betting or pool selling upon its grounds, or in any building owned or occupied by it.
(4) Playing any game of ball with a club that is disqualified or ineligible under this constitution.
(5) Offering, agreeing, conspiring or attempting to lose any game of ball, or failing to immediately expel any player who
shall be proven guilty of offering, agreeing, conspiring, or attempting to lose any game of ball; or of being interested in any
pool or wager thereon.
(6) Disbandment of its organization or team during the championship season.
(7) Failing or refusing to fulfill its contractual obligations, or payment of league dues when such have become due.
(8) Failing or refusing to comply with any lawful requirements of the league president or board of directors.
(9) Wilfully violating any provision of this constitution, or legislation or playing rules made in pursuance thereof.
(10) Failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.
(11) Any club whose owner, or officer of said club carries a dispute into court forfeits its franchise and membership
automatically by the act.
(12) In the event of termination of membership between January 1 and the close of the championship series schedule in any
year the National Association protection fee and the National Association salary deposit guaranty shall be disposed of by
mutual agreement between the National Association and the president of the league.
EXPULSION OF CLUBS
ARTICLE 9. (1) To carry into effect the provisions of Article 8 of this constitution, the facts in any case covered by such section must be reported to the president of the league, who shall at once notify by mail or telegraph the party charged with the specified default or offense, inquiring whether any dispute exists as to the facts alleged. In case the facts are disputed, the board shall, after due notice, try the
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case under such regulations as they prescribe, and their findings shall be submitted to each active club, which shall thereupon
deliver to the secretary written ballots "For Expulsion" or "Against Expulsion," and if all the clubs vote "For Expulsion" the
president shall notify all clubs of the forfeiture of membership of the party charged.
(2) The membership of any club may be terminated by a two.thirds vote of the active clubs for it's failure or refusal to fulfill
its contractual obligations, or payment of league dues when such have become due.
(3 The refusal of any club to pay arrears of salary to a player when required by this league or the National Association shall
be cause for expulsion of said club.
(4) If a club of this league shall be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction in any bankruptcy
or other action, suit or proceedings at law, or in equity, its membership in this league and all rights incident thereto shall
terminate "ipso facto."
(5) In the event of expulsion the National Association Protection Fee and the National Association Salary Deposit Guaranty
shall be disposed of by mutual agreement between the National Association and the president of the league.
IMPOSING FINES
ARTICLE 10. Upon the conviction of any of the offenses prescribed in Article 8, as causes for expulsion, the board of
directors may, in the first instance, as a preliminary to, or in lieu of expulsion, impose such a fine as in their judgment is
commensurate with the injury; which fine may include a penalty payable to any other club or clubs as in equivalent for
damages sustained for such violation of this constitution or of the legislation or in contracts made in pursuance thereof.
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
ARTICLE 11. (1) Guarantee: Each club shall deposit, through the league treasurer on or before January 1 annually with the
treasurer of the National Association, a cash sum in the amount required by the National Association Agreement or bank
certificate of deposit made payable to the president of the National Association, or other similar, and equally as liquid,
guarantee satisfactory to the president of the National Association as a forfeit to guarantee the fulfillment of all obligations
of this association.
(2) League Dues: Each active club shall pay annually such dues as shall be assessed by the Board of Directors.
(3) Transferring of Player Contracts: Three percent (3%) of all moneys received through the National Association treasurer's office for the transfer of player contracts shall be payable into the league treasury for the purpose of defraying league office expenses.
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The president or secretary of the Northern League is authorized to receive checks from the National Association of
Professional Baseball Leagues, payable to any club of the league, and to endorse and cash said checks, make authorized
deductions payable to the league treasury and remit balance of said checks to the proper club. Said league officers are to
make strict accounting of all proceeds of such checks received in his office from the office of said National Association.
(4) Fines and Penalties: All fines and penalties imposed by the president, secretary-treasurer, or board of directors upon a
club, any club officer, umpire, scorer, manager, player or any other employee when so levied and imposed by virtue of, and
in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and the playing rules of this league, shall be paid into the league
treasury upon notice of the president, board of directors, or umpire when given proper authority; such authority will be
given the umpire in writing and must be read to the party or parties being penalized with the understanding that there shall
be no refunding of any fine paid.
(5) Passes: Each club will be given annually by the league thirty-five "press passes" for distribution to editors or reporters of
the press at its own discretion.
OFFICERS
ARTICLE 12. (1) The officers shall consist of a president and a vice president to be elected for one year by the directors of
the league, who shall be residents of cities maintaining active clubs, and be paid a salary set by the directors. The offices of
secretary and treasurer shall be appointed by the president and shall be paid for from the salary for the president that has
been set by the directors.
(2) The president shall have the authority usually vested in the executive officer of any organization and shall perform the
duties of such and be responsible as such. He shall be ex-officio chairman of all committees. He shall preside at all meetings
of the league, except at the election of officers in which case the chairman shall be appointed by the president, but said
president shall have a vote only in case of a tie or to constitute a quorum when presiding over a meeting. He shall have
general supervision of the affairs of the league and shall do and perform all things which shall become necessary to protect
the league and to secure a strict compliance with the letter and spirit of this agreement by all parties who may be or become
connected with it. An appeal from any of his actions or rulings shall lie to the league directors, except in the assignment or
appointment of umpires, rulings on the conduct of players, their discipline and all regulations looking to preserving the order
and dignity or the league. The president shall keep a record of all infractions of the rules and regulations of the league that
may come under his notice and shall make a report on the same to the board at its next meeting. The president shall be
reimbursed for all expenses incurred by him in the services of the league; and at the expiration of his term of office he shall
account for and deliver up to the board all the property and papers which may have come into his hands by virtue of his
office. Should the office of the president become vacant by death or resignation the vice president should
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immediately assume the office of president and within thirty days from date of assuming office shall call a meeting of the
board of directors for the election of president.
(3) The secretary-treasurer shall submit to all members of the league, statements of the true financial condition of the league.
The fiscal year of the league shall be November 1st to October 31st. The president and secretary-treasurer shall furnish bond
in the sum of $10,000.00, the premium to be paid by the league. The president or secretary-treasurer of the league is
authorized to receive checks from the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, payable to any clubs of the
league, and to cash said checks, and make authorized deductions payable to the league treasury and remit balance to the
proper clubs. Said league officers are to make strict accounting of all proceeds of such checks received in his office from the
office of said
National Association.
(4) The president and secretary-treasurer shall be the custodians of all funds of the league, receive all dues, fees and
assessments, make such payments as shall be ordered by the board, or by vote of the league, and render annually a report of
the accounts. The; president and secretary-treasurer shall have the custody and care of the official records and papers of the
league; shall keep a true record of all meetings of the league and board; shall issue all official notices and attend to the
necessary correspondence; shall prepare and furnish such reports as may be called for by the board and shall be entitled to
such books, stationery, blanks, and materials as the actual duties of the office may require.
(5) The board of directors shall consist of the president of the league and one member from each active club, said member to
be designated by the president of the club to the league president. No person shall be qualified to act as director who is not
an actual member of the club he represents, nor shall any club, under any circumstances, be represented by more than one
person on the board. The president of the league and the board shall have the general supervision and management of all
affairs and business of the league and shall be individually answerable to the league for the faithful discharge of their trust. In
case of vacancy in the board by reason of the death, resignation, absence or disqualification of any director, the club of
which he was a member at the time he was chosen shall designate his successor, and at once notify the president. But if such
a vacancy is caused by the withdrawal, disbanding or disqualification of a club represented on the board, the board of
directors shall appoint his successor.
LAWS GOVERNING EMPLOYEES
Individual Club Control
ARTICLE 13. Each club belonging to the league shall have the right to regulate its own affairs, to establish its own rules,
and to discipline, punish, suspend or expel its own manager, players, or other employees, and these powers shall not be
limited to cases of dishonest play
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or open insubordination, but shall include all questions of carelessness, indifference or other conduct of the player which
may be regarded by the club as prejudiced to its interests, not in conflict with any provision of this constitution, the playing
rules of this league, or any of the conditions imposed in the National Agreement of the National Association of Professional
Baseball Leagues.
ARTICLE 14. Every club of this league shall have exclusive control of the city in which it is located, and of the territory
surrounding- such city to the extent of ten miles in every direction from its corporate limits, and no visiting league club shall
under any circumstances, except with the consent of the local club, be allowed to play any club in such territory other than
the league club located therein; nor shall a visiting league club play any game with non-league clubs within ten miles of the
city in which the league club is located, without the consent of the local league club.
RESERVATION AND SALE OF PLAYERS
ARTICLE 15. (1)Each club member of this league shall be entitled to the right of reservation as provided for by the Rules
and Regulations of the National Agreement of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.
(2) The sale or release of a player to a minor league club or a major league club after October 16 until December 2 annually
is prohibited.
(3) All provisions of Article (17) Seventeen in the National Association Agreement shall apply to the Northern League
except Section 17.03 a, which shall read:
No club shall have on its "Active List" more than twenty-five (25) p layers after the first 14 days of the season. Any club
having more than the limit of "Active Players" during the season shall be fined 200 dollars per day for each day the club
offends. Any games that may be won when a club is in excess of the player limit shall not be counted, but all defeats
sustained in such period shall stand. The limits shall not include suspended, temporarily inactive arid disabled players. In the
even 'that a club takes a player off the active list for any reason whatsoever, that player must be out for a period of ten days
and when such player is taken off the active list the league president must be notified. Such inactive player's salary is not to
be included in the salary limit.
(4) Player experience shall be determined by a majority of the Farm Directors involved and the League President.
(5) The sale or exchange of the services of players with other clubs in the league after August 15 is prohibited; nor shall a
club sign a player unconditionally released by another club in this league during the last fifteen days of the season, except by
permission of the president of the league.
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MAKING CONTRACTS
ARTICLE 16 (1) All contracts must be approved by the president or secretary and duly promulgated by him; provided that
no club shall at any time enter into negotiations or contract with any player under contract, agreement or 'reservation with
or by any other club, without the tatter's consent.
(2) No player shall participate in any game without signing a contract. The penalty for violation of this rule shall be the
throwing out of the records of any game won by any club while playing a player who has not signed a contract. Any game
or games lost, however, must stand in the records.
(3) No player shall receive any bonus or extra compensation of any kind or character, and shall receive no part of any draft
or purchase price paid for assignment of his contract. Article 16, Section (3) be amended to include Section 18.04 (B) of the
National Association Agreement.
(4) Non-reserve contracts shall not be entered into without the consent of the National Association. The first notice of terms
accepted in the secretary's office shall have precedence. Notice of terms accepted must be filed with the secretary of the
National Association within ten days; the first notice followed by proofs shall have precedence.
(5) The league may from time to time adopt such rules and regulations governing the salary limit as it deems advisable. The
provisions of Article Eighteen (18) in the National Association Agreement shall apply to the Northern League.
(6) The president of the National Association is empowered to demand the books or correspondence, files, telegrams, etc.,
of any club of the league at any time for inspection.
(7) No club in this league shall be allowed to play any benefit games during the regular championship season.
(8) No club in the league shall be allowed to pay players meal money in excess of the amount agreed by the league - $3.00
per day.
EXPULSION OF PLAYERS
ARTICLE 17. Whenever a club releases a manager or player, in accordance with the terms of his contract, and whenever it
suspends or declares ineligible a manager or player that club shall at once notify the president of the National Association,
stating the cause of release, the date when the same takes effect; and in case of suspension or ineligibility, the cause thereof.
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ARTICLE 18. No club shall enter into contract with any player while under arrears of salary to him, or suspend or
otherwise attempt to disqualify a player for refusing to contract while it is so in arrears of salary to him.
ARTICLE 19. (1) The refusal of any club to pay arrears of salary to a player when required by this league or by the National
Association be cause for expulsion of said club.
(2) Clubs in this league are strictly prohibited from advancing any money to players on account of salary, except for the
purpose of transportation and training.
(3) Each club of the league must submit on the opening day of the playing season a complete list of their players. All future
contracts, transfer assignments and releases must be sent immediately to the president of the league, and in case of a new
player being signed his contract must reach the office of the president within 24 hours of his initial game.
NEGOTIATING FOR SERVICES
ARTICLE 20. No player, without the consent of the club with which he is under contract or reservation, shall enter into
negotiations with any other dub for future services, but if such consent be obtained, a player may negotiate for his release,
and offer a money consideration thereof, which may be accepted by said releasing club.
ARTICLE 21. In the event of the disbandment of a league club or its withdrawal from or loss of league membership said
players shall be subject to transfer to such club or city as the league may designate, after acceptance of their said services.
ON SUSPENSION OF PLAYERS
ARTICLE 22. No games of baseball shall be played between a league club and any other club that has been expelled from
membership in this league. No game of ball shall be played between a league club and any other club employing or
presenting in its nine a player under suspension from the league or the National Association or a club member thereof, or
suspended or rendered ineligible by a club playing under the protection of the National Association of Professional Baseball
Leagues. A violation of this section shall forfeit the game in favor of the non-offending club, and subject it to such fine as
the board of directors may impose.
"CROOKEDNESS" AND ITS PENALTIES
ARTICLE 23. Any person who shall be proven guilty of offering, agreeing, conspiring or attempting to cause any game of
ball to result otherwise than on its merits under the playing rules, or who, while acting as umpire, shall violate any provision
of the constitution or of
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the playing rules adopted hereunder, may be forever disqualified by the president of the league from acting as umpire,
manager, player or in any other capacity in any game of ball participated in by a league club.
THE UMPIRE AND HIS DUTIES
THE STAFF UMPIRE
ARTICLE 24. The staff of league umpires shall be selected by the president before the opening of the regular season.
(1) They shall be paid such salaries and allowed such expenses as may be mutually agreed upon by contract between them
and the president of the league.
(2) They shall be under the sole control and direction of the president, from whom they will receive all assignments to duty
and all instructions regarding the interpretation of the playing rules; and the president shall prescribe a proper uniform for
them, all parts of which shall be worn while officiating as umpire.
(3) It shall be the duty of each league club to accept as umpire for any championship game such league umpire or substitute
as the president shall assign to such game and only in the event of failure to appear at the hour appointed for the beginning
of the game shall each club captain select one of three players (or some mutually agreeable person) of the opposing club,
and the two players thus selected shall be the duly authorized umpires for the game.
(4) Any league umpire shall be subject to removal by the president at any time, or by a three-fourths vote of the club
members, and in the event of the resignation, removal or expulsion of any league umpire the president shall have the power
to fill the vacancy.
(5) Any club refusing to accept an umpire assigned by the president shall be subject to a fine of $100.00, said fine must be
paid within ten days after such refusal under penalty of forfeiture of franchise.
(6) The president is authorized to call any two directors of the league who, together with himself shall constitute a
committee with full authority to act in considering any complaint in regard to umpire's actions or dismissal.
(7) Any umpire appearing upon the field in an unfit condition shall be subjected to a fine by the president of the league.
SCORERS
ARTICLE 25. An official scorer shall be selected for each club by said club with the consent of the president of the league.
They shall be paid such salaries as agreed upon between them and the 'league. All scorers shall be within the jurisdiction of
the president of the league.
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SETTLEMENTS OF DISPUTES
THE GOVERNING TRIBUNAL
ARTICLE 26. The board of directors or the league president shall be the sole tribunal to determine disputes between clubs,
the facts to be submitted, and the dispute adjudicated under such regulations as the board shall prescribe in each case. The
findings of the board shall be final; provided an appeal to the National Executive Committee may be made by either party to
the dispute.
ADJUDICATING COMPLAINTS BT CLUBS
ARTICLE 27. (1) The board shall at once consider any complaints preferred by a club against a manager or player of
another club (prior to the expiration of the championship season) for conduct in violation of any provision of this
constitution, the National Agreement, or the playing rules thereunder, or prejudicial to the good repute of the game of
baseball, and shall have the power to require the club to which such player or manager may belong to discipline him, and
upon repetition of such offense, to expel him; provided, that such complaint be referred to in writing, giving such particulars
as may enable the board to ascertain all the facts, and be transmitted to the secretary, by whom it shall at once be referred to
the board.
(2) No action, complaint, or claim of any club manager or player against any club manager or player, arising out of this
constitution, the playing rules and other legislation made in pursuance thereof, shall be considered by the board of directors,
unless notice thereof in writing shall have been filed with the secretary within ten days from the date when said claim first
arose. Provided, however, that the scope of the above provisions shall extend to the internal affairs of the league only, and
nothing herein contained shall be deemed to alter or abridge the rights or liabilities of the several clubs, their managers and
players by or under the terms of the Major-Minor League agreement or under the rules of the National Association of
Professional Baseball Leagues.
ADJUDICATING COMPLAINTS BY PLAYERS
ARTICLE 28. A manager or player who has a claim against a club shall first file his claim against the club with the president
of the league. The president shall, within five days, rule on such claims and notify the claimant of the decision. Either party
may appeal from the ruling to the president of the National Association, whose decision is final and forever binding on all parties.
THE COURT OF APPEAL
ARTICLE 29. (1) The board shall also be the sole tribunal for the hearing of an appeal made by any person who shall have
been expelled, suspended or disciplined by the club. The matter shall be proceeded within the following manner: Such
person shall, within thirty
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days after date of expulsion, suspension or discipline file with the secretary a written statement of his defense, accompanied
by a request that an appeal be allowed him. The secretary shall notify the club of the request for an appeal accompanying
such notice with a copy of the appeal, and at the next annual meeting of the club by its duly authorized representatives and
the appellant in person, by attorney, or by written statement, shall appear before the board with their testimony. The board
shall impartially hear the matter and render their decision which shall be final and forever binding on both club and player.
(2) No director shall sit in trial of a case in which his club is interested.
(3) Any expense of trials or arbitration shall be borne by the party adjudged to be at fault.
(4) If after investigation, the board shall be convinced that any member or representative of any club has been guilty of
divulging any confidential official business of this league and said act in the judgment of the league be detrimental to the best
interests of this league, said club shall be liable to a fine of not more than $200.00.
ARTICLE 30. This league shall adopt such playing rules as the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues may
see fit to adopt.
BROADCASTING RIGHTS
ARTICLE 31. (1) The home club shall have complete control of broadcasting and televising of any games from their park.
(2) The broadcasting or play by play wire transmission of any championship or play-off game shall be allowed only on
consent of the home club and revenue from this source shall be for the home club.
CHAMPIONSHIP RULES
COMPETING CLUBS
ARTICLE 32. The championship of the Northern League shall be contested for yearly by the clubs composing the league.
DURATION OF THE SEASON
ARTICLE 33. The championship season shall extend for such period as the league may determine.
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CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
ARTICLE 34. Every scheduled game played between two clubs from the commencement of the championship season to the
completion of the championship series between such clubs, shall be a game for the championship.
SPECIAL CHAMPIONSHIP RULES
ARTICLE 35. Each club shall have half of the championship series of games with every other club played on its grounds,
except as otherwise provided in Article 36.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
ARTICLE 36. (1) All championship games shall be arranged in a written schedule prepared by a committee or the secretary
and reported to and adopted by the league by a majority vote before the beginning of the championship season. The
schedule shall specify the date of each game and the date of each series of games.
(2) No club shall play more than one league club on any one date.
(3) No club shall play more than two games on any one date.
(4) Any club playing double headers at night shall be required to start the first game not later than 7 o'clock P. M.
(5) Both ends of a doubleheader can be 7-inning games; provided, however, that the home club shall notify the visiting club
ana the umpires prior to the commencement of the first game.
(6) Any baseball used in any regulation game other than the official ball adopted by our league shall subject the home club to
a fine of $50.00 for each offense and forfeiture of the game.
(7) The decision as to whether a regular scheduled game of the championship season shall be played in the afternoon or at
night rests entirely with the home club, except as otherwise provided in Article 36, Section 11. However, should a club elect
a change from day to night, or vice versa, such club is required to so notify the visiting club at least twenty-four hours prior
to game time.
(8) During the execution of a play should the lights go out before the play is completed, the umpire is to be the sole judge as
to where the play is to be resumed.
(9) The same rules will govern the lights going out in a night game as apply to rained out games.
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(10) Any protest of a game shall be filed with the league president by the protesting club and the umpires within 36 hours
after the game has been played upon which the protest is made. There shall be no appeal from the decision of the league
president. No protest shall be entertained by the president on a question of playing rules unless it is made by the manager of
the offended club at the time the play occurs, this giving the umpire an opportunity to reverse a decision in error without
affecting the game.
(11) Unplayed or uncompleted games remaining after the last scheduled game between the two teams involved shall become
cancelled games. The league president shall see that all postponed games are immediately rescheduled as part of
doubleheaders. In the event of the visiting club being unable to play off a postponed or tied game on its last trip abroad, the
said game or games shall be played on the grounds of the visiting club if games between the two teams remain on the
schedule. In no instance may a team be required to play more than two double headers in any one series.
bottom. (One copy each to umpire, visiting club and an official scorer). <this section was incomplete on copy of original document>
(13) No manager shall delay a game to confer with the pitcher directly or indirectly, more than once in an inning. Violation
of this rule requires the removal of the pitcher or manager from the game.
FORFEITED GAMES
ARTICLE 37. A club shall be entitled to forfeited games -- to count in its series as games won by a score of nine runs to
none -- in cases where the umpire in any championship game shall award the game to such club on account of the violation
by the contesting club of any section of this constitution or of any playing rule: and in the event of said forfeiting being
caused by the withdrawal of the players during the progress of the game or refusing to continue or begin play after play has
been called by the umpire or by failure to report with its team at the time fixed for the game, unless notice has been received
by the home club that the game cannot be played; or any club that allows it's team to leave the playing field under any
circumstances or to refuse to play on time, when directed to play by the umpire; the acting captain of any club improperly
leaving the field or refusing to play when ordered by the umpire may be fined not more than $200.00 by the president of the
league, and such club may be fined not more than $250.00 additional, which shall be payable to the treasurer of the league
within ten days after notice thereof.
(2) Should a regular scheduled or postponed game be forfeited before seven innings have been played, rain checks for that
game will be honored at any future home game during the current season, and the team which caused the game to be
forfeited shall be fined $400.00 which fine is to go to the other team.
ON DRAWN GAMES
ARTICLE 38. All tied games which have gone five or more innings shall become suspended games and shall be completed
prior to the next game between the two clubs scheduled on the same grounds. In case no additional game is scheduled on
the same grounds, the tied game shall be played prior to the next scheduled game between the two clubs. A suspended game
shall be resumed at the exact point at which play was interrupted. All records of the game, even though it is never
completed, shall become part of the official league averages, both individual and team.
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THE PENNANT
ARTICLE 39. The emblem of the championship shall be a pennant. It shall be inscribed with the motto: "NORTHERN
LEAGUE CHAMIPIONS," with the name of the club and the year in which the title was won, and the championship club
shall be entitled to fly the pennant until the close of the ensuing year.
DECIDING THE CHAMPIONSHIP
ARTICLE 40. (1) The championship shall be decided in the following manner: After every home series played for the
championship the home club shall prepare and forward to the secretary of the league a statement containing the full score of
the game or games according to the system specified in the playing rules, - the date, the place where played, the names of
the clubs and umpires; provided that no tie or drawn games shall be considered a game for any purposes except the
averages; and provided, further, that in case where the secretary shall not receive the score of a championship game within
five days after the playing of such game, the club whose duty it is to forward such score shall pay to the league the sum of
$3.00 as penalty of such default. At the close of the season the secretary shall prepare a tabular statement of the games won
and lost by each club, according to the statements sent to him, which statements shall be the sole evidence in the matter, and
submit the same, with the statements as sent him to the league.
(2) Any game that is halted before five innings have been completed by curfew or Sunday Law, be played to its completion
at a future date.
ADMISSIONS AND REPORTS
ARTICLE 41. (1) Each club shall be permitted to issue knothole membership to children.
(2) After each game a statement of receipts and attendance on such form as may be provided by the league treasurer shall be signed by proper authorities for each club, one copy of which is to be retained by each club. At the end of each series the home club shall forward to the league treasurer copies No. 1 of statements herein mentioned for the games of that series.
(3) The representative of the visiting club shall at all times have the right at all gates to oversee the collection of tickets and
the disposition thereof and shall have the right to count all tickets at the expiration of the game.
AWARDS
ARTICLE 42. Five hundred dollars ($500) will be awarded to the championship team.
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ANNUAL MEETING
ARTICLE 43. The annual meeting of the Northern League shall be held at the call of the president and the schedule meeting
date to be decided and committee be appointed at each annual meeting.
CLUB REPRESENTATION
ARTICLE 44. At all meetings each club shall be represented and shall be entitled to have in addition thereto any of its
officers or ex-officers present at such meeting, but no club shall be permitted to have as its representative any person under
contract or engagement as a player or manager unless he is a stockholder in the club or secretary of their club, showing their
authority to act, but no club shall have more than one vote. Voting shall be limited to active clubs.
THE LEAGUE SESSION
ARTICLE 45. This league upon a majority vote of its members, may elect to go into executive session for the transaction of
its business, and during such sessions no club shall be entitled to more than one representative.
CONSTITUTION ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE 46. (1) The constitution of this league may be altered or amended by a three-fourths vote of active clubs at any
meeting, or unanimous vote of the active clubs at any time.
(2) Any change in the league constitution must be submitted ten days in advance of the meeting.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
ARTICLE 47. (1) Special meetings may be called by the president of the league of his own option or on the written call of
two clubs.
(2) Place of meeting shall be decided by majority vote at a regular meeting, or by the league president.
QUORUM
ARTICLE 48. A representative of the majority of the clubs shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a
less number may adjourn from time to time until a quorum is obtained.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
ARTICLE 49. The following shall be the order of business, unless suspended by a three-fourths vote of the club members.
(1) Reading of minutes of last meeting.
(2) Report of officers.
(3) Report of board of directors.
(4) Report of committee.
(5) Amendment of constitution.
(6) Election of new members.
(7) Election of officers.
(8) Miscellaneous business.
(9) Adjournment.
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