The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-25

At the first meeting which attended
as the western representative, not a sin.
gle point was raised on which the inter.
ests Of the east and those of the wes
seemed to present any great differences o.
opinions. Under the present rules, the
game is not one limited to any climate OF
section of the country, and there is nj
| reason then why the rules best suited tt
the east should not be those best suited
to the west. No aspects Of the game are
traditionally eastern; none tradttionallJ
western. It was easy, then, for a west,
ern representative to meet with the com.
mittee without at once raising any ques.
lions as to western policy or eastern pol.
Icy. It became simply matter Of eacf
member presenting recommendations 70,
changes in particular rules that he
thought might in some, way better the
game and make it a better and purel
sport.
Probably the greatest thing done by
the committee was to provide for 8
oodificat1on of the rules. And perhaps
the greatest work for the future will be
along this same line. Heretofore the
rules have been almost unintelligible
The best Of officials had trouble in apply
ing the rules or to find exactly what one
to apply. Much time was wasted and
much wrangling participated. The only
reason for it all was due to different in
terpretations placed on the rules.
The new book will contain complete
codifcation Of the rules. Under penalties,
the rules will apply the five yards pen
atty to 'unsportsmanlike conduct" ETC.,
etc. Under this head are twelve offenses
specifed-all that require the inf1iotion
of this penalty. Under the fifteen yards
penalty, four offenses are listed, including
interference with a, fair CATCH" etc.,
etc.
Under disqualification one offenses is
listed, and under forfeiture two offenses
are listed. Thus every possible excuse
for the infiction Of penalty is named
and the required penalty named. con-
slider that this work in itself is the most
important thing accomplished by the re-
cent Philadelphia meeting Of the commit
tee.s
Next year the committee should take
up other parts Of the rules, other than
those applying to penalties, and codify
them. The rules will then soon be made
ineligible to all. And this Is the one
great aim that the committee should
have-to make the game ineligible to
everybody.
Another important work was the ex-
tension of the checkerboard scheme. The
new rules hold that any player may re-
ceive the ball from the snapperback and
advance IT, If he goes five yards outside
of center. The twenty five yards rule as
applied last year has been eliminated and
the checkerboard will extend over the en-
tire field this year.
No, there was no disposition to widen
the field, so that there would not be the
narrow, wo-and "a half-yard strips along
the side of the gridiron. It was the gem
eral opinion that this narrow strip would
be a decided advantage instead Of a dis
advantage, as the runners attention would
be attracted by the narrow strip and he
would be apprised that he was near the
side line, wherein if the spaces were all
five yards wide the side line might be
overlooked.
Personally I was in favor of allowing any
formation desired requiring six men in the
line In any part Of the field. AS it is you
can have but six men in the line Of scrim-
age, but one Of the eleven has to be out
side Of end on one side. would have
liked to have had freedom so that more
could have stood Independently the rule
OF two years ago. What is meant by "out-
side Of line" Is as interpreted by commit
tee, wholly outside not one foot out
side, but clearly outside body as we'll as
feet, Wnlle on the line means not head
only but body and at least one foot.
The abolishing of the twenty yards loss
with privilege of keeping the BALI was
recommended by the east The general
opinion in the committee was that the rule
was being overworked and that it was not
wise rule.
The ten yards penalty was dropped
altogether. Fifteen yards penalties were
adopted for holding, tripping, illegal use
OF hands and feet and arms, Illegal run
ming, interference with fair catch, and
the fve-yard penalty was adopted for ali
other attractions except those for forfeit
ure and disqualification. Some of the in
fractions to which the Vineyards penalty
applies are coaching from the side lines.
delay of the game, interference with cen
ter, off side plays when not in possession
Of the ball, starting before the ball. ETC.,
etc, etc.
The provision for distinct signal for
each official was decided upon to do away
with the cause of the frequent disputes
over fouls committed by any other than
the player with the ball The signal here
tofore usually caused the runner to stop
and the side carrying the ball had a lust
right to object to having their play
stopped The new rule provides that