The Major League Baseball Constitution is a document under which the day-to-day operation of Major League Baseball is conducted. It was originally drafted in 1903 as the Constitution of the National League and has since been amended several times, most recently in June 2005.
Contents
1876 National League Constitution
The 1876 Constitution of the National League consisted of 14 articles. The League originally consisted of 8 teams:
Under the original constitution, the League had 5 objects: to encourage baseball, to take care of the interests of the players, and to establish and regulate the baseball championship of the United States.
The League was governed by a five-member Board from among whom was elected a President. The Board also selected a Secretary and Treasurer. Annual dues for each Club were $100.
1926 American League Constitution
See the official document here!
Current Major League Constitution
The current constitution consists of the following sections:
- 30 clubs, 2 leagues, 3 divisions (lists the clubs in each league and division)
- Expansion, Contraction, Realignment, Divisions
- Voluntary Termination
- Involuntary Termination (12 subsections a-l)
- Termination Procedure
- Effect of Termination
- Effect of Termination on Active Player Contracts and Reservation Rights
- Operating Territories
- a) National League (lists cities)
- b) American League (lists cities)
- Home Television Territories
- Schedule
- Playing Rules
- Parks not to be changed during season
- Championship Season and Post-Season
- All-Star Game
- Maintenance of Major League Central Fund
- All-Star Game Revenues and Expenses
- Major League Club Broadcasts (4 subsections a-d)
- National and International Broadcast, Copyright and Royalties
- Payments from Central Fund, Books of Account (4 subsections a-d)
- Termination of Central Fund
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Indemnification of officials
- Major League Regulations