The success achieved by the National League in its efforts to develop base ball as the national game became apparent in its rapid growth in popular favor, and the establishment of clubs and associations throughout the various States. It became evident soon that something must be done to foster and protect the rights and interests of these various bodies, and "that there was a recognized need of some central power in base ball to govern all associations, by an equitable code of general laws, to put the game on a prosperous and lasting basis."
To accomplish this purpose a meeting was held in the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, February 17, 1883, at which delegates were present representing the National League, the American Association, and the Northwestern League. At that meeting the so-called Tripartite Agreement was drawn up and agreed to, which substantially was an offensive and defensive alliance, embodying a mutual respect of all contracts and other obligations, and all rights of the parties to the agreement to territorial rights, players under contract or held under reserve.
The adoption of the tripartite agreement opened a new era in base ball, and it was so readily recognized as being a step in the line of progress that when the committee which drew up the agreement was called together in New York city in October, 1883, they decided to call the instrument they had framed the National Agreement of Professional Base Ball Clubs, the purpose being to open the door to all clubs, leagues and associations desiring to live under the conditions, rules and regulations of the agreement. Immediately several leagues and associations applied for the protection assured the, and readily pledged themselves to abide by the requirements designated in the agreement.
The action of the committee in framing the new national agreement was subsequently ratified by the signatures of the Presidents of the parties thereto, viz.:
The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, A. G. Mills,
President, November 22, 1883.
The American Association of Base Ball Clubs, H. D. McKnight, President,
December 13, 1883.
The Northwestern League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, Elias Mather,
President, January 10, 1884.
The Eastern League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, William C. Sedden,
President, February 19, 1884.
The fundamental principle of the national agreement as originally drawn, and which is now in operation, is a respect for territorial rights. This, in fact, is the corner stone of the structure.
It contemplates and provides for the organization of cities into leagues or associations, with one club, and one only, in each city, and a contest between the respective cities for championship honors. The interest which base ball arouses in any city is based absolutely on local pride. The essence of value to a championship is entirely to the city to which the victorious club belongs.