The Washington times., 1906-11-01
SERIOUS CRISIS AT HAND
IN AMATEUR ATHLETICS
Protesting of Macdonald May Precpitate General
Investigation Into Subject of Semi-ProfeSSional
Ball PIaying-A A. u. Officials Negligent
BY THOMAS S. RICE.

That trouble has arisen in the high
schools OF Washington over the sum-
mer baseball OF some of the star dth-
letes in the schools was only 10 be eN-
pected. That the trouble viii be far
reaching. not only in the high schools,
but among all amateur athletes in
the city. is almost inevitable.
The Board Of EducaJions last night
heard the protests against the appear
ance of Cy Macdonald on the Central
High football team. The boy and his
father both denied that he had received
any money IN Winchester, Va, wnen
he played last summer. and decided 10
hold the case open for further evil
dence. In the meantime, the game
scheduled for Friday between Central
and Technical has been postponed in
definitely.
Bad Condition in Past.
Up To three or four years ago when
attention was drawn 10 the subject
Washington paid practically no atten-
ton whatever to the rules of the ANA
teur Athletic Union. and very little to
the rules OF the intercollegiate Amateur
Athletic Association. Men were allowed
To do practically as they pleased and
there was probably a greater leavening
Of professionalism in Washington than
il any other large city in the country.
Semi professional baseball was PLAYED
as amateur. OF course. and pretty near
~ every good man in the city had his
price for his services in baseball. foot
ball. basketball, and even track atHle-
tics No attempt was made TO deny
the acceptance Of money. because those
concerned had little or no appreciation
Of frE FFI2a of
amateurism.
Reform Worked Well.
About three years ago there was a
wave Of reform. Washington became an
important factor in the Atlantic Asso-
citation OF the ~ A. L., many Of the
old abuses were abolished and a new
era seemed at hand Great discretion
was displayed by Dr. William Grant. Of
Baltimore. chairman of the registra-
ton committee OF the Atlantic AssOcia-
lion. in handling those who had, out OF
Ignorance. professionalised themselves,
and with few. exceptions they We're Ie-
ceived irto the fold of the A. \. L.
with the advice 10 be good.
For about two years the campaign Of
reform was carried on with great en-
thusiasm. but last summer. Just when
playing baseball were the greatest the
officials of the Atlantic Association
weakened. relaxed greatly in their vigil
ance and failed to issue warnings against
summer baseball and similar tendencies.
Washington ball players We're with
summer teams all around the District
Of Columbia and in II. on one team
in the semi professional Baltimore City
League there were eight Washington
men, who went gaily to the Monumental
City every Saturday, and. according TO
current reports played for the price
of railroad ticket and 50 per man per
game. Washington ''amateur' stars
were performing valOrOuSly in the
Virginia League. on the Virginia inde-
rcudcnt teams and elsewhere near and
far.
Many Accepted Money.
Some Of these youngsters made pre-
tence of maintaining their amateur
status and discIaimed the receipt of
nfthy lucTe from the managers, but
there is scarcely any doubt that the
vast majority of them were in some
manner compensated either directly or
Indirectly for their services, and that
they found the summer profitable as
we'll as pleasant. \ manager or backer
paying money 10 an amateur seldom
advertises the fact in the county paper
and makes the presentation on the
courthouse steps III the presence of as
sembled multitudes. 1t Is not considered
good form-bUt the moneys the thing,
and the double sawbuck secretly slipped
10 the olushing youth who has diligeut-
ly snitten the curves of the rival twirler
IS as useful in these hard times, as II it
had been passed out In the form OF a
check, and had been charged up to The
salary account on the books.
The plaviEg in the small leagues and
on independent teams was bad enough,
but the most glaring instance of the
neglect of the local A. A. U. officials
in warning against the taking Of money
for athletic services was to be seen in
the games to. determine the amateur