The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-03
Tech MAY GIVE up.
Spirit Of Indifference
in Foot Ball
Practice.
COACH PUTNAM IS DISCOURAGED
Students Will Meet Today
and Decide Upon the
Teams Future.
COACH PUTNAM IS DISCOURAGED

| Unless a more lively interest is shown
by the players than has been in the
past, the remainder of games schedul-
ed will be cancelled and foot ball given
up at Tech.
| Drastic measures are necessary.
Coach Putnam is discouraged with the
lack Of interest shown. At best the
interest has never been what it should
be and does not compare with that
shown by other schools. But allow
ances were made for that. 1t ended
Yesterday when less than enough men
! to n axe line up came out for prac-
tlce. The coach and manager realized
that it would be better for the reputa-
ton of the school not to have a team
than have one which would bring no
credit whatsoever. For that reason it
was determined to call a meeting Of the
foot ball men today, and unless they
are agreed to take regular practice the
game will be given up.
Tech is under a heavy handicap at
best. The school session does not end
until 4.30 O'clock in the afternoon, and
it il, almost o'clock before the foot
! ball men are in their toys and ready
to line up for practice. The days are
growing short so that only an hours
practice can be had which is not suf1-
cient to develop all that is in team.
And at that several players are oblig-
ed to quit practice at $50 o'clock in or
der to catch a train for their homes.
Thus some of the men can get little
more than a half hours practice daily.
Under such conditions foot ball men
of other institutions would never miss
an opportunity to practice, realizing
the Importance of being out at every
conceivable opportunity. But 1t is not
SO at Tech. Some of the men come out
when they feel disposed. The climax
came last evening when only eight re-
ported for duty. Nothing could be
done with that number of players, and
they were dismissed
The men had a hard game at Willis
ton Saturday, and undoubtedly felt that
they needed rest. Their opponents were
/ heavier, but Tech played the better
game and won. But the rough work
of the Williston men disturbed the
peace of Tech men and they thought
they should take a lay-off.
That idea of foot ball practice exists
only at Worcester Tech. 1t was never
heard of at another school. The prac-
tice work of day after a game might
be light, but two days after the men
would be worked the same as at any
other time The Tech men had Sunday
to recuperate and should have been out
last evening. 1t was one of the best
evenings of the season for practice, as
the air was cool and bracing and hard
work would not have been fatiguing.
There is a suspicion that Tech men
were afflicted with that complaint COM
mon to athletes who do good trick,
sometimes called a "swelled head" If
it exists, the Tech men should encase
dc In oYo I,
certainly done WELL but there are 9TH
ers, and there is considerable room for
improvement in the playing of the Tech
eleven. In fact taken individually
there are many great weaknesses. The
majority of the men are capable fellows
and can overcome their weaknesses, es-
pecially under the direction of such a
competent coach as Mr.. Putnam But
practice is required and nothing but
practice will develop the men With
all the practice they can receive this
year they won't then be in position to
throw bouquets at themselves.
Perkins, at centre is a. heavy rusher
but he is slow and requires constant
work to make him what a centre should
be. He is unable to take full practice
every evening, being obliged to quit
at 80 o'clock. A centre must be fast
on his feet, and Perkins hasn't learned
the entire game yet. Nutting, one of
the guards. is a light man for that posi-
ton, but proper training will make him
a good man and overcome the handicap.
Lack of training, however. will leave
him under the handicap of weight.
Traill the other guard, is one of the
very few on the team who is conscien-
tious in his work. He has played be-
fore and knows the game. Trail I'M
doubtedly has better license to re-
main away from practice than any
other man on the team, yet he is one
of the most punctual.
Maynard and Simpson are the tack
les. They are good sized men and in
that respect well adapted for the posi-
ton. But they are slow, both of them
and require plenty of training. They
arc slow in running with the ball and
fail to pick out their holes. Practice
alone will bring them to the proper
knowledge of the game which, with
their weight. will make them good
men.
Wood Is laid up probably for the sea-
son. In the practice Friday he Tnjur-
ed his knee and In Saturdays game he
hurt it SO badly that water on the
knee Is feared. He was one of the best
ends that Tech ever produced. His alb
sence will be a great loss to the team.
Birge, the other end, Is a good man.
although a trife slow in getting into
plays. He knows the game well.
Spence, the quarterback, is a good
general but is slow in giving signals.
Capt Walsh Is one of the hardest
workers on the team. He is handi-
capped by his position as captain. He
would undoubtedly play d better game
if he did not have the office. He works
hard, however and is one Of the few
conscientious players on the team
His namesake, Walsh. the other half
back. is heavy, but his weakness is in
being slow on his feet. He does not
follow his interference but runs back |
He can overcome the fault by practice
and BY practice Only. Brooks and Mes |
lor are good workers for positions be-
hind the line, and with proper training
viii make good men. Beers, Norcross
and Loft are the most prominent among
those who line up against the first ele- |
ven. Irons, Buchanan and Willis. the
last two being old players are liable
to displace some of those who now fig
ure on permanent positions on the
| eleven.
| Coach Putnam has another hard task
before him in developing an end. Capt.
Walsh may be taken from behind the
| lire as he would make a good man at
| end But fear is entertained that the
back of the line would be too greatly
weakened, and the chances are an end
| will be developed to take Woods place
If the students at today's meeting de-
| eide to continue. The student body is
enthusiastic and will support the team
| we'll IL a disposition is shown by the
players to do as they should.
The Autumnal Excursion to New
York via Albany Hudson river, return
| ing via Fall River line and Boston. ar
ranged for the Boston & Albany rail-
road for Tuesday, Oct. 3, is the best for
the money that can be made On1v S5 On |