The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-21
National Basketball AssOcia.
lions Organizing.
MAY BE TWO SETS OF RULES
Columbia Eight Mt Work With N
view TO Going to the Middle
States Regatta-Mixed Crew Homes
Yet to Get "a Race With the Ana
Iostans and POtOmncs.

associations and make laws and rules
governing the game generally, are begin
ming to get together and indicate or map
out the work for a busy season.
The interest in the game has grown 10
such an extent Throughout the country
that it has been found necessary to or
ganize several leagues, each to look after
the interests of the several sections, in
each of which a different style of game
IS played. The day is not very remote
when this game will be to the winter
season what baseball is TO the summer
The rivalry between sections will be as
great as that between ball teams is now
and not only interclub and intercity
leagues will have being but interstate
organiza tons will be in existence.
The latest addition to the big league
bodies is the fiOurishing one which was
organized last winter as q result OF the
introduction of the obnoxious registration
system and its accompanying fee intro
duced by the basketball branch Of the
Amateur Athletic Union. The new league
is called the National and it was organ
lied al Philadelphia and rapidly grew to
be a large and influential body. II is
divided into three districts: The East
ern. comprising the New England teams;
the New York, comprising the teams of
New York and vicinity, and the Southern
which includes the Pennsylvania and New
Jersey clubs. This city will come under
the supervision of the latter, if the teams
here decide 10 go into this association,
and there are many reasons why they
should. principal among which is the pro-
lection which the teams and the players
will have under national rules.
A regular schedule is to be arranged,
and according m Of a
motors each district viii engage in Sc
ries of games 10 ascertain district cham
pions who will then play for the national
championships.
1t is intended to draft an entirely new
set Of rules. which are 10 be carried out
to the letter and which 1t is hoped viii
do away with the wranglings over the
present rules. 1t is likely the new code
will be combination of the cage and
the side line" styles of play.
If the Western cities do not decide 70
become members of the new league il is
very probable that they will form an in
dependent league. adopting the same
rules made by the present body.
The Y. NJ. c. A District Basketball
League was organized in New York last
week. and ii is one of the largest and
strongest in a city which is full Of in
terest in the sport. 1t comprises eight
teams. A silver trophy will be awarded
the winning team and gold medals viii
DO given 10 the players scoring the great
est number of points during the season.
The latter is an innovation which might
with profit be introduced in the rules gov
erning the league in this city. 1t would
not only be an incentive to the players,
but 1t would help keep the players on
teams throughout the season, and thus do
away with the dropping out and switch
ing off from one team to another.
Columbia Athletic Club.
Notwithstanding the return of the warm
weather. the track and field athletes OF
the Columbia Athletic Club are keeping
up their practice. and the team, as small
as it is, will make a good showing in the
Union Athletic Club meet to be held at
Baltimore on September a. The local
boys realize that they will have to work
hard to gain points from the strong COM
bination of Oriole athletes. and it is be-
lieved they will be equal to the occasion.
Speare will surprise some of the leo and
220-yard men. Adam Johnson is doing
good work in the hammer throw with the
double turn, and ought to win his event.
He has several times in practice beaten
his best previous winning throws. McEl-
hone stands good chance to win the
high jump, while Stewart will have things
his own way in the mile and middle dis
lance runs.
The chances for having a big fall open
| meet on Columbia Field brighten with
each weeks agitation of the question. 1t
will probably be held during the week
following the Baltimore meet, and if fixed
for that time will draw out a big entry
list of out-of-town track and field men.
At the boa thouse the work of the crews
is hampered by the absence of so many
men away on vacation. All the absen-
tees will be back ready for work in less
than a fortnight and then lines will be
shaped for a sure enough go in
lights with the Analostans and Poto-
macs
Lieut.. Hecox is now hard at work with
a crew which promises exceedingly well
and if it proves fast enough will be en-
tered in the Middle States regatta which
will be held at New York on Labor Day.
The crew is stocky and snappy and
rows with Hecox. stroke; Hunter. I; Nor
wood. 6; Tallmadge, 3; Ellis, 4; Mahon. g.;
Fowler. 2, and Thomas, l, with Nudge
Ross. coXSwain.
Underwood is back from his outing and
will shortly take up the work again He
has not shown up at the boathouse with
| any degree of regularity as yet.
Talimadge has sisnified his intention of
rowing regularly and every afternoon
| finds him in his seat at No. doing his
| usual effective work.
Ellis is one of last years men who has
| again taken up rowing and as ne has
promised to row regularly, ne will I'M
doubtedly prove to be as good a waist
| man as was predicted for him.
The new members who are anxious to
row and will help nightly to strengthen
the crews for which they are chosen in
clude, Alexander. who is a 6-footer and
weighs all of 40 pounds, and is CORES
pondingly strong. A good second to him
and another powerful man is Farrell He
is heavy and muscular and is built after
Underwood's model and promises like
him, to be a good all-round man.
Mcclellan As another good man. He is
not so large either of above but he is
strong, well built and ought to be a val
liable sweep" With these in shape
what great nucleus for a great crew
which will be a bit heavy, but awfully
strong and full of stay.
| They are being taught the Hecox stroke
which is proving very effective one and
combines life snap and strength and
while generally rowed at "a is as effective
at 80.
A -four" which has been out several
times and shows considerable speed and
| which will improve with practice has
| Underwood, stroke; Hunter, g. Moon. Q.
| and Began. bow. The latter is a new
man in the position, but he is holding IL
| down in great shape. He has good judg-
ment and that combined with strength
will help any man to the front rank in