November 25, 1929
The UA Winter Meetings were held this month in Tiny Sea. There were still a handful of holdout stars on the touring baseball circuit that might fetch big contracts, as owners, GMs, and player agents met from November 14-17 to negotiate baseball’s future.
Some free agents on the bubble for a roster spot in the UA could find a home in the upstart National Professional League. Many top free agents have registered but are foregoing signing with any UA teams until after the NPL Commencement Draft, especially now that many of the top remaining touring managers and coaches have moved to NPL teams this offseason. The draft is set to take place on December 2 in Plains City.
“The choice to hold their draft two weeks after the UA’s winter meetings gives us some insight into the NPL’s secret negotiations with the elder league for baseball territory in Uplantica. It seems that in return for a small piece of the national media rights, the NPL has agreed to take a backseat to the UA when it comes to access to talent, at least for now. The NPL will have a lower salary cap, about three quarters of that of the UA. They will also hold their first year player draft a day after the UA’s draft in July. That little piece of the media is a big concession by the UA, though, as it essentially gives the NPL a seat at the table with the ability to put eyes and ears on their games. To Mukai and the NPL’s credit, several high-level free agent players are looking past the UA to the NPL. The two leagues are in a tenuous symbiosis for the time being. The UA finds that the new league strengthens them more than it threatens them by drawing more people to the game of baseball, and the NPL accepts the role of the little sister league, but has the chance to show the world its talents.”
Hubert Kallina, host of nationally syndicated weekly radio program “Ballgames and More”
News:
- UA: Salvation signs RHP Juan Konzales. The Brothers previously released Konzales at the end of spring training. Scouts rave about him, but his stats in the 1929 preseason left something to be desired. (10/30)
- UA: The Trail Blazers land the services of touring RHP Charles Spencer, who has been known to pitch both games of a double header on more than one occasion in a 7-year career with the South Carrol Coyotes. He reunites with Jeff Rogers, a fellow hurler for the Coyotes, now with Prissley. (10/31)
- UA: LF Jack Garrett signs with Platte. Garrett had originally been offered a place on the Reapers’ roster two years ago, but the Reapers were denied a spot in the UA. He returned to the Overlook B.C. touring team, where he made his name as a speedy power hitter, for 1928 and 1929. (10/31)
- UA: Chargers sign RHP Shooter King, who got his start in baseball as a street performer making trick baseball throws and striking out locals for tips in downtown Lia Kompos. He found his way to Milner’s Baseball Kings and pitched for them for the last four seasons. (11/3)
- UA: LHP Kevin Kolon signs a huge 4-year deal with Cherricaw. Some are questioning the Herders’ decision, as Kolon has been known to rub people the wrong way in his time on various touring clubs, running his mouth and inciting brawls repeatedly in his career. However, his pitches infuriate opposing hitters as much as his personality does, so he keeps finding places to play. (11/9)
- UA: Roland releases RPs Lia Puedris, Gardner, and Olavarria. They sign LHP Len Skully and LHP Fred Wilson. It looks like they’re hoping some bullpen changes will be the key to finally lifting the Cup in 1930. (11/10)
- UA: The Bears add RHP Travis Voelker in a trade with Redwood for prospect C Xavier Lia Taawa. Voelker had been great in the first two UA seasons, pitching for Roland and Redwood. (11/14)
- UA: Milner’s Kings star RHP Sonny Hernankez has held out for two seasons, and today he gets his payday, signing a gigantic 6-year deal with the Railey Rivals. (11/15)
- UA: The Herders send RHP Adam Evans to the Bears in exchange for prospects. Evans was phenomenal for the Herders, making the All-Star team in 1928, but struggled in 1929. (11/15)
- UA: The Stags continue to sign pitchers to their bullpen, adding RHP Ramon Oba from the Trail Blazers. Oba had a difficult debut year for Prissley. He and the Stags hope his luck will turn around in Roland. (11/16)
- UA: The Delle Stars acquire veterans RHP John Porter and CF Jesus Vazquiza from the Rivals in exchange for 22-year old C Dennis Higgins. (11/18)
- NPL: The new league introduced all of its teams’ managers and coaching staffs today in a coordinated press release. The list includes many names that fans of touring baseball might recognize, chiefly former Baseball Kings slugger Matt Davis, now the young manager of the Lia Puedris Kings. This news comes two weeks before the NPL Commencement Draft. (11/18)
Uplantic Sports Today 