The morning call., 1892-03-20
ATHI
New Rules Passed by the Amateur
Athletic Union.

One of the most important meetings held
by the Amateur Athletic Union took place
at New York OH the 9th inst.
After considerable discussion it was de-
cided to abolish the present rules of the
union governing fencing and substitute
those of the Amateur Fencers' League Of
America. The following amendments to
the athletic and general rules were passed:
To insert the rules for poe-y auliing In the ath-
letic rules OF The Amateui Union after the words
kept one prong al the end OF q patagla pl
reading as follows:
No competitor shall. during his vault. raise the
hand which was uppermost when lie left The
ground TO a higher point on the pole, nor shall lie
raise the hand which was undermost when he
left the ground 10 any point on the pole above
To drop from the gymnastlc rules OF the
Amateur Athletic Union the section Head
rOIe climbing" and substitute therefor the fol
/ The rope measured from floor to TAM
BOURNE or bell fastened above. shall be as nearly
% feel as the height OF the ball VIII allow.
.. The start shall be by pistOl-Shut, and the
time takeu When the cOntestau ut strikes the bell
or tanbourne.
3 Each contestant shall sit 90 the floor. with
legs extended in front and SHAH not touch the
floor with any part of his person alter the pistol
shot.
4 Each contestant will be allowed three trials.
To eXlunge the whole of RUE Oi the gen.
eral rules of The Amateur Athletic Union. and TO
substitute therefor the following, VIZ: Rule 9,
definition Of a noyice-The sports over which lie
Amateur Atb ellie Union claims jurisdiction snail
be divided in The following classe': % base ball,
(2 billiards, 81 bowling, a. boxing, lo) fencing,
90 football "a gymnastics 81 hurdlerSc ICING, 30
Jumping, 90 laWDfeuniS, CID pOle-l' aiinE, (12}
putting tie shot, Q3) quols. Ia rhcquets 90
rowing, 90 running 90 sculiug, (tol skating.
40 swimming, f2O) throwing hammer ana o.
pound weight, CID lugof-@ar. CD walking,
t23l wrestling. An athlete should be held 10 be
novice IN each OF lie tweniy-thIee classes until
lie shall have won a Prize I'D competition open
10 the m nibeIs of two or more clubs The win
= Sflef s!laIf
petition as a novice in that class, although his
entry may have been made before he lost bis
standing as a novice.
The follow ing amendment 10 the boxing
and wrestling rules was passed
Any athlete who weighs in and then fails 10
cOmpetr, without an excuse satisfactory 10 the
games committee Shall be suspended for six
months.
following performances were allowed; E. B.
Bio>s, 20 yards, 2:45 sec; j. Il. Lee 220
yards, hurdle race, "a 4 sec.
The following additions to the general
rules were passed NO association OF the
4. 4. L, will be allowed to register clubs
or schedule games, tournament or exhibi-
ton, given by clubs not eligible 10 member
The dues Of the Olympic Club may be in
creased t. s. per month, and the Initiation
fee to 500 when the new building is COM
pleted.
Tie Alpine Club is virtually a defuuct
organization. as nearly all of its best men
have resigned.
sAX FRANcIsco, March 10 1892
Sporting Editor CaLk-DEAR SIR: A few
words IN reference 20 an article IN your column
OF last Sunday as regards the apathy OF HE
officers OF Tie olympic Ciu6 toward outdoor
sports.
The directors are trustees for The club, and as
such are responsible for tile proper expenditure
OF lie funds OF the organization, and feeling this
responsibility they naturally are cons iydtve
and eudeaYor 10 incur 40 Indebtedness not war
ranted by The results.
The athletes themselves are 10 blame.
A few years ago a wild howl was raised that
indoor athletics were the salient Tea uTes Of he
club; that any fedman bad no recognition what
sOeyef, aud that no facilities were provided for
outdoor exc else.
Tie club has always endeavored to foster all
true amateur sports and always will.
IL exists solely from this idea, and as con-
sequence, when tbis question was m0oted the
present handsome grounds were constructed
with all possible requisites, in fact all athletic
visitors are astonished al the perfect arrange
menIs prevailing.
Then il was anticipated that the boys for
whose benefit the large sum necessary was spent
Ito say nothing of the attendant work and worry
OF the clubs eificialN) would appreciate lie Efforts
made Tor their pleasure aud comfort, but as yet
they seemingly have not done
Valuable medals are given for every field day,
aud If the directors erred Al all last season, 1t
was in giving too many entertainments of this
character.
"What are the medals going TO cost?" what
handicap am | gong 10 get?" "Pse got TO 90
"Pve got 10 take my best girl to the games, so
| i wont compete"
"The handicapped wont give more than ten
| yards in hundred over Smith," etc.
These the kind of answers received when
| the athlete Is asked 1t he i going 10.
again. when tie club gives ladies day"
when no admission is charged, the grounds are
| filled 10 over flowing. yet when a small fee Is
demanded, ladies free, the patrons 81 Of field
athe les are conspicuous by their absence.
| Comparisons odiOuS'' or tl.e / would
! quote the names OF small body of consistent
| athletes, who can always be relied upon 10 com
| pete from pure love OF amateur sports.
| These do not care for any emouments; q tin
| trophy would suit them As well as a diamond
medal, but unfortunately they are small minor
| iIy.
Our present captain and Handicapped Mr..
Elliott Is thoroughly We SEQ 10 the abilities Of
/ all the coast athletes and he gives them marks
| accordingly and his Integrity cannot he ques-
| toned.
What better work can one ask for. when as IL
1 frequently happened during last season. the first
| second and third man would run almost abreast
| at the finish and the winner was in doubt until
| tile last loot Of ground covered?
| III we are 10 make held sports popular here we
| athletes ourselves must PUT our own shoulders
| 10 the wheel. and not call on Hercules IN the
| shape OF the club.
| Trusting THIS viii put some more "einger' into
| the lazy boys. and apologZing for the length of
| this eplslie, ain yours truly,