Comstock Park in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Baseball's Reserve Clause

Michigan Legal Milestone

Photographed by Nathan Bierma, April 28, 2024

1. Baseball's Reserve Clause Marker

Inscription.

Organized baseball's player contract "reserve clause" was upheld in a federal court case decided in Grand Rapids in 1914. The reserve clause bound a player to his team for as long as the team chose to keep him. He could not play anywhere else unless traded or released. The object was to keep the wealthiest teams from signing all the best players, which it was feared would destroy America's "national game." William F. Killifer of Paw Paw, star catcher for the Philadelphia Nationals, signed a new contract with the Chicago Federals. When he changed his mind, the Federals sued to force him to play for them. They lost. The court ruled that the reserve clause in Killifer's old contract giving the Nationals first call on his services was legal and binding. The reserve clause was enforced for another 50 years.

Placed by the State Bar of Michigan with the Grand Rapids Bar Association at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, 1986.

Rededicated at Old Kent Park, 1995.

Erected 1986 by State Bar of Michigan. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Legal Milestones series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 43° 2.387′ N, 85°

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39.572′ W. Marker is in Comstock Park, Michigan, in Kent County. It can be reached from Ball Park Drive ¼ mile south of West River Drive, on the left when traveling south. The marker is posted on the concourse next to Guest Services inside the main entrance to the ballpark. It is only accessible during games and events at the stadium, with paid admission. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4500 West River Drive NE, Comstock Park MI 49321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan

and in Greater Grand Rapids.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: They Played For The Love Of The Game (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old North Park Bridge (approx. 1.4 miles away); Veterans' Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Purple Heart Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); Veterans' Facility (approx. 1.6 miles away); Barber Briggs House (approx. 2.3 miles away); Plainfield Charter Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); Creston World War II Memorial (approx. 3½ miles away).

Also see . . . Michigan Legal Milestones: Baseball's Reserve Clause. (Submitted on April 29, 2024, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

Photographed by Nathan Bierma

2. Baseball's Reserve Clause Marker

Photographed by Nathan Bierma

3. Baseball's Reserve Clause Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2024, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.