Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-27
THE NINE TO STRIKE
BUSINESS PLAYERS RESENT
BECKETT'S EXCLUSION.
Adverse Action Of the Advisory Board
of Athletics Of the Local
High Schools.

From present Indications the Business
High School will not be represented during
the coming season in the High School Base
Ball League of the District. The reason for
this state of affairs Is attributed to the re-
cent action of the advisory board of ath-
letiCs, composed of one member of the
faculty from each of the five high schools
of the city. in positively refusing to let G.
c. Beckett, the star pitcher on the Business
team, play with that nine during the sea-
son.
Since the question of young Becketts
eligibility was raised about month ago,
the troubles in the High School Base Ball
League have been gradually growing
until now they have assumed portentous
proportions. and all efforts to settle the
difficulty in such a manner as to Keep all
parties concerned in sweet temper seem
to have proved unavaiing.
The athletic advisory board consists or
the following teachers: B. M. Rozzel, Cen
trail; l.. w. Mattern. Technical w. j. wal
lis Eastern; E. w. Matthews, Western, and
Charles Hart. Business.
Circumstances Described.
The circumstances surrounding the case
are stated to be in effect that at the close
of the foot ball season last fall young
Beckett left school and did not re-en1er
until January II of the present year. Ac-
cording to the regulations of the athietlc
board it is stated, in order to be eligible
to play on high school team the student
must be registered in the school not later
than January 10 Because Beckett left
school just after the close of the foot pall
season and re-entered just in time for the
base ball season. it is stated that members
of the board looked upon the circumstance
will S,1SD nd cha rpe0 that the Young
man was in school primarily for the attn
letic features and that undue influence had
been brought to bear to secure him Tor the
team.
At a meeting of the athletic board held
several weeks ago the matter of permitting
Beckett to play was brought up. Mr.: Hart
representing the Business High School,
then collected what he considered was
satisfactory proof of Beckett's eligibility.
and this evidence placed before the
members of the board. Notwithstanding
the evidence presented the other members
of the body still adhered to their former
decision that the young man was not elig-
ible to fill position on the Business team
At a meeting of the board Friday night fur
Their evidence, including several affidavlts
and a number of statements from teachers
in the Business High School, all tending to
prove that Beckett was eligible to play on
the team, was offered for the consideration
of the teachers opposed to the candidate.
but the former decision against the young
man was reaffirmed
Letter of Regulations Fulfilled.
1t is stated that the members of the
athletic board who are opposed to allow
ing the Business team to play Mr.. Beckett,
admit that the letter of the regulations has
been fulfilled, but they affirm that the
spirit of the rules has been violated in this
case.
In sworn statement presented to the adj
irc 10
for leaving school last fall and also for
re-enterng in January of this year. He
states that on the advice of his parents,
who reside at Atlanta, Md, he left school
in order to accept a position in Richmond,
Va. Upon investigation of the position,
however. he decided that he needed further
business training before entering upon
commercial career. and he decided to re-
turn to school. Work at home detained him
for time and he could not make arrange
ments to return to school until the 10th
of January, when he again registered and
took up the work of the course. lie makes
affidavit that he is in school primarily for
the scholastic training and that athletics
are a secondary consideration.
The coach of the Business team also
makes affidavit that he has used no 1nf1u-
ence whatever to secure Mr.. Beckett for
the team. He declares that he had not seen
the young man until he put in appearance
this spring.
Teachers in the Business High School
statements 10 the erect tIldl young
Beckett has been doing satisfactory work
in his studies; that he readily performs
what is required of him, and they express
the opinion that the young man is in school
for the scholastic training and that ath-
letics are secondary matter with him. The
records of the school, it is stated bear out
the statements of the teachers that Beck
ett's work is satisfactory, and that 1T has
been better since he entered in January
than at any time previous.
1t is said that the strongest point urged
against the young man Is the fact of his
leaving school at the close Of the foot ball
season and entering again just previous to
the base ball practice This suspicion 1t is
said, seems to prevail with the majority
of the board, even against statements of
teachers. and sworn statements of the
young man and the coach, tending to prove
his eligibility.
Was the Crack Pitcher.
Beckett was considered the crack pitcher
of the league last year. and to his
ability as a twirler is attributed a large
share of the credit for the winning of the
high school championship by the Business
School last season.
The sentiment seems to be quite generally
expressed among students in the several
high schools that Beckett is being dis
eliminated against, and it Is suggested that
the opposition against him is caused by the
fear that the Business High School will re-
peat It's championship performances of last
year.
Mr.. Charles Hart. instructor In the Bust
ness High School and its representative on
the athletic advisory board, said to a re-
porter for The Star today: while In my
personal opinion there is not the slightest
doubt as to Mr.. Beckett's eligibility to play
on the team, and as to his being in school
from proper motives. still as a member Of
the board. l accept the decision of the ma
| jortty and intend to do what l can to in
| duce the team to play out it's schedule in
| the league"
The Nine Will Withdraw.
Members of the team, however are en-
| phatic in stating that they will refuse to
| play in the High School League this season
unless Beckett is reinstated. They consider
| that the board has not been Just with the
| young man nor with the team, and they de-
clare their intention Of withdrawing from
| the association of high school teams unless
| Beckett is allowed to play. The Business
| team is particularly strong this year, as
| shown in several practice games. and 1t Is
| said that its chances for landing the pen
| nant are very good should a satisfactory
| adjustment of the difficulties be made
| V polduip Iobpco,, n&are q 4 m %