The Portland daily press., 1894-12-07
FIELD OF SPORTS.
No Game At All Say the OFF,
cialS.
FINAL DECISION AS TO THE DIS.
PUTED GAME.


ment and Some Criticism-Bangor's
Rejoicing Too Previous - Portland's
Championship.
To the Editor of the PRESS:
We have today mailed to the Portland and
Bangor High school teams, our official de-
cision as to the result of the game OH Sat
urday, copy OF which is as follows:
Portland. Maine. December 9Th. 1894.
''We decide that under the rules govern
ing foot Dall, the game played at Portland
on Saturday, December 1st, between elevens
of the Portland High school and Bangor
High school be declared off, and does not
score as victory for either side.
JOSEPH r. SHAW, Referee.
ELIAS THOMAS. JR., Umpire.
ORCHARD C.PAYSON. Linesman."
For some time after the close of the game,
the excitement was SO intense that no fair
and impartial consideration of its results
could be had and many just and severe
criticisms of the officials were made.
Now that the cooling off" period has
passed, we wish, for our own justification
and for the information of the public gen
orally, to make the following statement:
First-Our position as officials was not of
our seeking. After waiting upon the field
for some time it was discovered that the
officials expected were not present, and.
without prior notice. and in order that the
large number of spectators should not be
disappointed by having the game given ups
we consented to act.
Second.-The great controversy in tho
game was as to the legality of the touch
down made by Bangor, near the close of the
second half. After careful consideration of
all the arguments and suggestions made by
representatives of both teams, we unani-
mously believed that this touchdown was
legitimate, and, believing SO. allowed it to
Bangor. We admit that for about ten
minutes be fore this play it haG been too
dark for satisfactory work, but this was
neither our fault nor within our control.
The fault was that of the management in
OF selecting and notifying the officials in
lafranr e, and it was not within our control.
because the rules do not authorize a referee
to cali game under the conditions then
sexisting, AS anyone can see who will take
the trouble to read them.
Third. Immediately after the touchdown
by Bangor, the crowd rushed upon the field
and all was confusion. Before order could
be restored. some of the players left the
field and the game was simply abandoned
by them before the close of the half, there
then being three minutes more OF play. In
other words it was an unfinished game.
Fourth.-While we have before decided
that the disputed touchdown was legitimate
and that when the game was abandoned. the
score was. Bangor. s; Portland, 4, we have
not until now rendered decision as to
which team, if either, was the winner OF
the game. under the rules governing foot
ball. On the contrary. we positively refused
to give such certificate to Bangor. pre-
ferring to examine the rules and consider
the matter quietly and cody, flee from the
excitement then existing.
Fifth.-Ru1e 16 ta) is as follows: The
time OF game is 10minutes, each side play
ing 35 minutes from each goal. There shall
be 10 minutes intermission between the two
halves. The game shall be decided by tie
final score at the end of even halves. The
side refusing to play after being oruered to
by the referee, shall forfeit the game"
The intent of the above rule seems to be
clear, that game of footb ball is played only
when each side has played a full half from
each goal, and that the final score when
two full halves. have been played, deter
mine the game. There Is nothing in this. or
in any other rule of the game. authorizing
the referee to go back to the score at the
end OF the first half in case the second half
should, for any reason. be un finished.
The game on Saturday was not, therefore,
a 'stie'' game. but was simply no game at
all, and should not count in determining
the result of the seasons work.
So much for the game itself.
Now, Mr.. Editor, we ask space to refer to
several things suggested by the experience
on Saturday.
First.-No trouble would have arisen. If
the game had been begun ON time. This
delay was entirely due to poor management
and is inexcusable, unless there is better
reason for it than we have yet heard.
Second.-Every game must have officials.
who shall have power to determine all dis
puted points. Many people. under the
pressure of al exciting game. seem to lose
officials is to fairly represent both sides.
and to determine all questions with an
honest intent to favor neither. In the game
on Saturday. we intended to have fair play,
and we submit that it was the best and
cleanest football game ever played in this
city. Suitable officials cannot be had if they
are to be subjected to the discourtesy and
criticism which has been |
shown in this case.
Third.-Police arrangements were entirely |
in adequate, and some method should, in the |
future be had for restraining he crowd
(From the above statement as to last Sat
urday's game. and from the statement of |
Secretary Black of Augusta as 10 Portland's |
in points won previously, 1t |
would seem as if now there could be nothing