IN THE NEWS: The Joint Rules Committee bans all foreign substances or other alterations to the ball by pitchers, including saliva, resin, talcum powder, paraffin, and the shine and emery ball. A pitcher caught cheating will be suspended for 10 days. The American League allows each club to name just two pitchers who will be allowed to use the pitch for one more season. The National League allows each club to name all its spitball pitchers. No pitchers other than those designated will be permitted to use it, and none at all after 1920. Other rules changes: the adoption of writer Fred Lieb's proposal that a game-winning home run with men on base be counted as a home run even if its run is not needed to win the game. Also, the intentional walk is banned, and everything that happens in a protested game will go in the records.
The Cards announce the first trade of the meetings. They acquire 1B Jack Fournier from the Los Angeles Angels for four players, all acquired earlier. LA gets 1B Art Griggs, C Grover Hartley, P Claud Thomas, and INF Jim McAuley.
IN THE NEWS: At a joint meeting in Chicago, all bleacher prices are raised to 50 cents, pavilion to 75 cents, and grandstand to $1.00. Clubs may set aside bleacher space for kids under 14 at 15 and 25 cents if they wish. The May 15th–August 30th player limits are raised from 21 to 25. The American League prohibits player transfers after July 1st; the National League, after August 20th.
Lee Magee, "wanting to make a clean breast of things," admits to NL Prexy Heydler and Cubs head William Veeck that he tried to "toss" a game with the Braves when he was with the Reds, but that the Reds won in the 13th. Heydler will later testify on June 8th that Magee told him he became suspicious that Hal Chase had double-crossed him and so he stopped payment on the check.
IN THE NEWS: Frank Baker's wife, Ottalee, dies at 31, leaving two small children. Baker will miss the entire season to stay home and take care of the children, returning in 1921 to hit .294. Baker also missed the 1915 season, preferring to hold out rather than sign with the A's.
In a defeat for American League president Johnson, Carl Mays is reinstated, and the Yankees' 3rd place finish is recognized. Furthermore, a two man committee is appointed to review all fines over $100 and suspensions of more than 10 days. Dissatisfaction with the National Commission system comes to a head. The National League votes 6–2 for a one-man commission; the AL votes 6–2 for the status quo. Chairman Garry Herrmann resigns, stating his belief that no club owner should serve on the governing board. When the two leagues cannot agree on a chairman, it is left to the league presidents to decide disputes.
IN THE NEWS: The Cubs give an unconditional release to Lee Magee after they learned a week ago from him that he had been betting against his team. Magee will sue the Cubs for his salary of $4,500 charging that his livelihood as a ball player was destroyed through the sudden canceling of his contract. The Cubs will ask for a dismissal of the suit, saying that "previous to the making of the contract the plaintiff was guilty of betting against the team of which he was a member, and sought to win bets by intentional bad playing to defeat said team."