The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-30
A Good Change Is Made in Some
Football Rules.
More Open ana Less Dangerous
Play to Result.
stage MAKES REPORT.
The Spectators VIII Now Be
Able to Follow the Ball.
Coach YOst, of Michigan, APP
proves of the Changes.

Chicago, April 30-Coach Stage re-
turned from Philadelphia yesterday ana
announced the important changes In
the football rules for the next year. He
is well satisfied with the changes made
and believes they will have a tendency
to make the game simpler to the spec
tator and safer for the player Coach
Mccormack of Northwestern is of the
same opinion.
The most important changes have TO
do with the value of a drop or place
kick and the possibilities of the mass
play. The new rules will tend to make
the game still more open one and at
the same time lessen the danger to the
players This is the opinion of Coach
Stagg and Coach Mccormack.
The rules committee decided that six
men must be on the line of scrimmage
all OF the time. Four men besides the
quarterback may be played behind the
line in any part of the field, but one of
these men must play outside either end
of the line.
The value of the drop kick count was
! changed from five to four points. The
quarterback viii now be allowed to run
with the ball in any part of the field,
provided he runs the required five
| yards from the man who snaps the ball
Penalties will be limited to five and
10 yards for all offenses requiring a
| distance penalty. The rules concerning
penalties will be codihed and placed in
/ one part of the book so that officials
/ can find them without delay.
! The umpire is to have, instead of the
1 customary whistle, a bell or horn or
| some other instrument. This is for the
purpose Of enabling the players and
| spectators to distinguish between the
| signals of the officials. When the uni
pire gives his signal the team com
| pletes the play which has been started,
paying no attention to the signal until
\ the ball is downed. If a long run has
resulted from the play during which
/ the foul was committed the run is al
| lowed if the foul has in no way caused
or interfered with the checking OF the
! runner.
Hereafter any deliberate attempt to
draw an opponent ofrside will be com
sidered as a delay of the game and viii
be punished with penalty of five
| yards.
If a fair catch has been interfered
with. either by the catcher being thrown
! or -interfered with in any way, he may
receive Is yards and put the ball IN
! play by a scrimnages - or receive five
| yards and have. "A free kick a
When a team is forced to bring the
ball out from behind the goal line after
| 2 touchback or safety and the ball is
ponents must put it in play from the
35 yard line Instead Of from the Is
! yard line, as heretofore
On a punt after a touchdown the OPP
/
Is yards to the man who punts. This
is a change from the former allowance
| of ten yards.
other minor changes were made and
a number of changes in phraseology,
with a view of clearing up doubtful
| points.
In general the new rules will advance
the checker board idea so that the en-
tire gridiron will now be checked Off.
That the new rules will be acceptable
there seems to be little doubt. The
eastern critics expressed themselves
satisfied to Coach Stage, and Coach
/ Yost of Michigan approves of the
| changes.
Coach Mccormick last night said: Il
believe the rules committee has touch
ed on every point Objectionable. The
special tors will be able to see the ball
all of the time and viii better under
stand the game. They will be able to
see the scientific side. From the play
ers' standpoint the game will be safer
as the heavy mass plays Will be elimIn-
ated in part The fourth man back OF
the line will allow coaches to work Ut
effective plays which, while open in
their nature Will be powerful and eff
fectiVe.