Contract: Jack Bentley with American League (Baseball) 1914

Important Notice to Players and Club

Every player before signing a major league contract should carefully scutinize the same to ascertain whether all of the conditions agreed upon between the player and Club President have been incoporated therein, and if any have been omitted the player should insist upon having all the terms, conditions, promises and agreements inserted in the contract before he signs the same. If at any time as a result of an official investigation it is ascertained that an agreement of any kind between a major league club president and a player is not fully set forth in the player's regular contact, or made a part thereof, then a penalty shall be infilicted against the club violating this provision in the sum of $500.00, the same to be paid into the treasury of the League of which the contacting club is a member, and the said contract shall be null and void, and the player unconditionally released

American League Player's Contract.

REGULAR

Articles of Agreement, between the Washington American League Baseball Club of the City of Washington, in the State of D.C. a club member of a League known as the "American League of Professional Base Ball Clubs," party of the first part, hereinafter called the Club, and John N Bentley of the City of Sandy Springs in the State of Md., party of the second part, hereinafter called the Player.

Witnesseth:

That in consideration of the mutual obligations herein and herby assumed, the parties to this contract severally agree as follows:

1. The club agrees to pay the player for the aseaon of 1915, beginning on or about the 11^th day of Apr. 1915, and ending on or about the 11^th day of Oct, 1915, a salary at the rate of $1400 - Fourteen Hunderd dollars for such season; and an additional sum at the sum rate of $400 - Four Hundred dollars for such season, said additional sum being in consideration of the option herein reserved to the club in Clause 10 hereof; said additional sum to be paid whether said option is exercised or not, making the total compensation to player for the season herein contracted for $1800 - Eighteen Hundred dollars

All payments to be made as follows:

In semi-monthly installments after the commencement of the period covered by this contract, unless this contract shall be terminated by the club while the player is "abroad" with the club for the purpose of playing games, in which event the installment then falling due shall be paid on the first week day after the return "home" of the club. Provided, however, that if the player is not in the service of the club for the entire season, then he shall receive such proportion of the season's salary, or of the monthly salary mutiplied by six, stated in this contract, as the number of days of acutal employement bears to the number od days in the season or the number od days in the season plus the additional number of days for which the player is held, provided he be not held more than six months from the beginning of the season.

2. The club may from time to time during the continuance of this contract establish resonable rules for the government of its players "at home" and "abroad" and such rules shall be a part of this contract as fully as if herein written and binding upon the player; and the for the violation of such roles or for any conduct impairing the faithful and thorough discharge of the duties incumbent upon the the player, the club may impose reaonsable fines upon the player and deduct the amount thereof from any money due or to become due the player. The club may also suspend the player for violation of any rules so established, and during such suspension the player shall not be entitled to any compensation under this contract. When the player is fined or suspended, he shall be given notice in writing, stating the amount of the fine or the duration of the suspension and the reason therefor.

3. Should the player be disabled, or his ability to perform his duties be impaired at any time during the term herein prescribed, the club may deduct from the amount then due, or to become due under this contract, such proportion thereof as the period of said disablity or impairment may bear to the term herein prescribed; but no such deduction shall be made by reason of any accidnet or injury recieved by the player while in performance of his regular duties under the direction of the clib, unless such injury or accident shall wholly or partly incapacitate the player for a period of fifteen days, in which event this contract may be terminated at the option of the club, provided, howeveer, that the player shall be given written noticed thereof by the club.

4. Should the player become disabled, as provided in the preceding section, he will submit himself to a medicalThe clu examinaiton and treatment by a regular physician, in good standing, to be selected by the club, such examination when made at the request of the club shall be at its expense, unless made necessary by some act of conduct of the player contrary to the terms of this agreement or rules and regulations made under it.

5. The club shall furnish the player with two compete uniforms, exclusive of shoes, the player making a deposit of $30.00 therefor, which deposit shall be returned to him at the end of the season or upon the termination of this contract, upon the surrender of the uniforms by him to the clubs. And the club shall prove and furnish the player while "abroad" or traveling with the club in other cities with proper board, lodging, and pay all proper and necessary traveling expenses, including Pullman accommodations and meals en route.

6. In order to enable the player to fit himself for the duties necessary under the terms of this contract, the club may require the player to report for practice at such places as the club may designate, and to participate in such exhibition contests as may be arranged by the club for a period 30 days prior to the 11th day of Apr., the club to pay the traveling expenses, including Pullman accommodations, and meals en route of the player from his home city to the training place of the club, whether he be ordered to go there direct or by the way of the city of [Washington?]. In the event of the failure of the player to so report for practice and participate in the exhibitions games, as provided for, a penalty of at least $100.00 may be imposed by the club, the same to be deducted from the compensation stipulated herein.

7. The club may, at any time, after the beginning and prior to the completion of the period of this contract give the player ten days written notice to end and determine all its liabilities and obligations hereunder, in which even the liabilities and obligations undertaken by the club shall cease and determine at the expiration of said ten days. The player, at the expiration of said ten days, shall be freed and discharged from all obligation to render service to the club. If such notice be given to the player while "abroad" with the club, he shall be entitled to his traveling expenses, including Pullman accommodations and meals en route, to the city of................

8. The player agrees to perform for the club, and for no other party, during the period of this contract (unless with the written consent of the club), such duties pertaining to the exhibition of the game of baseball as may be required of him by said club, at such reasonable times and places as said club may designate for the American League season for the year 1915, beginning on or about the 11th day of Apr. 1915, and ending on or about the 11th day of October, 1915, unless sooner terminated in accordance with other provisions hereof.

9. The player will not, either during the playing season, or before the commencement or after the close thereof, participate in any exhibition baseball games, indoor baseball, basket ball or foot ball, unless the written consent of the club has first been given to him.

10. The player will, at the option of the club, enter into a contract for the succeeding season upon all the terms and conditions of this contract, save as to Clauses One and Ten, and the salary to be paid the player in the event of such renewal shall be the same as the total compensation provided for the player in Clause One hereof, unless it be increased or decreased by mutual agreement.

11. The club shall not transfer the services of the player to any other club without furnishing the player in writing all of the conditions under which said transfer is made and showing what team has claim to his services and what that claim is.

12. The club will not discriminate against the player because of his connection with the Baseball Players' Fraternity.

13. The "NOTICE" printed in red ink at the head of this contract is hereby made a part hereof.

In Testimony Whereof The parties hereunto have excuted this contract in duplicate, each of which shall be considered an original, one copy being retained by the club and one copy by the player, this 30 day of July A.D. 1914

[SEAL] By President

John N. Bentley Player

WITNESSES: Clark Griffith

PLAYER'S CONTRACT AS PRESCRIBED FOR THE American League of Professional Base Ball Clubs BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION

I hereby certify that I have, at this date, received, examined and noted of record the within Contract, and that it is in regular form.

President American League of Prof. B. B. C.

Probationary Contract: --

Approved 191

Regular Contract: --

Approved 191