From the year 1876, when base ball was established in this country on a substantial and responsible basis by the disbandment of the so-called National Association of Professional Base Ball Clubs and the organization of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, down to the present time, the duty has been imposed upon some body or organization to uphold and enforce the objects for which base ball was established, to wit: First--To perpetuate base ball as the national game of the United States, and to surround it with such safeguards as to warrant for the future absolute public confidence in its integrity and methods. Second--To protect and promote the mutual interests of professional base ball clubs and professional base ball players. The National League formed in 1876 found a difficult task before it in undertaking to carry out the objects above referred to. Interest in base ball was at a low ebb. Gamblers were in possession. The game was without discipline, organization or legitimate control. The sport was conducted with dishonest methods and for dishonest purposes, and had neither the respect nor confidence of the press or public. Heroic methods were absolutely necessary. At a meeting of the National League, held in Cleveland December 5, 1877, the League directors unanimously ratified the action of the Louisville club in expelling from the professional ranks James A. Devlin, W. H. Craver, A. H. Nichols and G. W. Hall "for conduct in contravention to the object of the League." These men had been charged with and convicted of willfully selling a game of base ball. At first the action of the League in taking such an extreme course was strongly denounced. The League, however, foresaw that any condonation of fraud or crookedness meant death to the national game and remained firm in its position. Public opinion soon turned, and to-day it is universally conceded that the course then taken did more to establish the honesty and integrity of base ball than any action taken or legislation since enacted. From that day to this no charge of crookedness or dishonesty has been made against a professional ball player. Repeated attempts have been made to reinstate these men or those of them now living, but their expulsion was final and irrevocable.