New-York tribune., 1909-03-28
CHANGES In FOOTBALL
COIL FROM FIELD NOW
THREE POINTS.
No amendments to Rule Governing
Use of the Much Discussed
For1Uord Pass.

Two important changes were made In the rslss %
American college football at the annual meeting %
the committee named to consider the Gods at tn
Murray Hill Hotel. IN this city. yesterday gcaS
from the field. either by placement or drop kick
was reduced IN value from four points to thrseE
while in the Of touchbac< the option vas
given to the defending side TO punt out from the
25-yard line. which has been mandatory hsretnfore
to line up for a scrfmmass at that point ~
number OF other changes Of minor nature wsrS
made for the sake OF clearing up disputed rotnssz
but the rule governing the forward pass. aheus
which there has been 50 much discussion. was tsfa
severely alone. the COMMITTEES failing TO aErss On
several suggested amendments
The reduction in the value OF hsid goal Sa2
made for the purpose OF encouraging tho r1stfnB
game and to make the value OF one touchdown wft1
resultant goal equal to goals from the field
This action was brought about after a long discuss
sion in which the questions were discussed irons
every angle While there were one or two dissent
Ing voices # finally decided 70 make the charSA
In all probability the COMMITTEES has thrown ITSELF
open TO much adverse criticism. although many
players Will accept the ruling in good part II WIZ
count agains, the weaker which perhaps may
have star goal kicker but in the long Is likely
insure the better all round team winning. a.
least that IS the opinion OF the rule makers
The change in the rule governing the putting OF
the ball in play from a touchoack Is quits likely
70 meet with general favor as Il gives the defend
ing side better chance to work the ball out OF
danger and discourages the practice OF puntfn8
the ball to the goal life. II for no other purpose
than TO prevent the defending side gaining pes~
session Of the oval
With strong head wind the defending side iz
often at a disadvantage IN being forced to Puns
out from the 25-yard line. thus giving the attack
ing side a chance for a free catch. from which
possible goal from placement might result Under
the rule an effort can be made to advance ths
ball by rushing and failing in that punt Is stfp
possible. with the ends IN much better position
20 get down the field to cover the ball.
A rule adopted providing that when the CEN
tre rush fefnts makes effort to pass the ball
his team shall be reralized five yards, and another
change. relating 70 the enforcement OF penalties.
clears UP the present rule 50 that no penalty can
be imposed for carrying the ball the line either
for touchdown or for safety. The rule hereto
fore was not clear on the imposing Of a penalty
when the ball was being carried over for safety
II also provided that hereafter play must
under any and all conditions when the referss
blows his whistle. that the referee must not
his whistle seeing foul. but call out to the
pire TO blow his horn Another change makes Il
optional with the captain Of the defending side to
choose which penalty shall be inflicted IN case two
incurred by team the same play Some
confusion arose in several games last fall over this
point
A slight change was MAD. IN Section Y. governing
the players who may receive the forward pass.
making Il clear that player Is eligible receive
II who is not at least yard behind the line oc
scrinmage- The Old rule read ss follows:
| After the ball been legally passed forward
| II may first he touched only b. the player who
ceived the ball from the snapperback suos other
| players at the passer's side the 90 TN
/ ball was put in play least yard baEfD th~
| line of scrimmaze. playing at etth&B~ad se
| the said line
This seemed 10 Indicate that ths ends vzB sIisf-
bic to receive the ball II only foot back Of tbs
line. and the rule makes It clear that the ends
| must be one yard back also.
] Heretofore the rules have contained no diagram
of the proper position Of the various players and
resolution adopted the end thar this diagram
/ might be included hereafter
| An official committee the Interpretation OF ths
/ rules was decided upon. and this COMMITTEES
/ named. as follows: Walter Camp. q Yale chair
/ man: z. K Hall. OF Dartmouth, Paul DaShiell &c
/ Annapolis. and W 3 LsnsfoTd Of Trtnity.
| Crawford BIaEden, OF Harvard. and Parks H
| Davis OF Princeton. new members on the rules
committee were named to take the places % J. b
/ Fine. OF Princeton. and D. Savage. % Oeeriins
/ on the central board Of officials. TIE other rem
bers on the central board will be Walter Camp oe
| Yale l. VI. Dennis. OF Cornell. and James A Bah
| btt. OF Haverford who Is retained as chairman
| Mr. Babbitt in making his report for last year,
| stated that fifteen hundred officials had been
/ named to act various games throughout the
! country last fall Resolutions we're adopted ap-
proving the work OF the central board and the ac-
/ tivity shown IN the interests OF the game.
| The committee held two seSsions-one on Frfta-
| night. when l. NJ Dennis. Of Cornell was re-eie-c-
/ e.i chairman. and z. n Hall OF Dartmouth. sec@
| retary: and the other yesterday morning. wren
! the changes in the rules were made Tnoss pres
/ ent at the meeting included.
/ James a Babbitt. Of Haverford; Walter Camp
| Of Yale. e. Bagden OF Harvard. Paul A Dashislls
/ OF Annapolis: L. NJ. Dennis. OF Cornell. ". L
/ Dudley Of Vanderbilt. II r Hackett- OF WssE
/ Point: T. X Hall. o. Dartmouth: d.. W A Lam
/ beth. OF the University Cs Virginia; w ) Lang
| ford Of Trinity: Harry l.. Williams. OF the Uni-
vsrsity OF Minnesota. AlonZo a. stage Of the Uni
/ versity CT Chicago: P r. Davis. ot Princeton. ana
Carl Williams. Of Pennsylvania