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 CHAPTER XXIII.

1900-10

LTHOUGH minor leagues had been recognized and protected long before—the National League having fostered the first Northwestern League, organized in 1883—and the Eastern League, formed in 1884, having received the protection of the National Agreement—and notwithstanding the fact that numerous minor organizations were constantly coming into being, all feeling the need of and seeking protecting care, it was not until early in October, 1901, that the lesser leagues took action to combine for self-protection; forced to do so, no doubt, by the uncertainty of affairs of the two Major Leagues, which at this time were at each other's throat in a deadly strife.

The abrogation of the old National Agreement by Mr. Freedman and his confreres at the historical secret Red Bank meeting in 1901 cemented the minor leagues in a closer bond than had theretofore existed, and the formation of "The National Association of Professional Base Ball Leagues," at a postponed meeting held on the 24th, 25th and 26th of October, 1901, was therefore most timely and important.

The objects of the new National Agreement, adopted 329