New-York tribune., 1910-03-07
COMMENTON SPORTS
VI W1RRING4N M .ITEIR
Sammer Baseball a Crying EuH
IN College Sports.

IN College Sports.
}, 4. Golden. physical director OF Penn
sylyania State College. who made open
charges at the annual meeting of the Inter-
collegiate Association of Amateur Athletes
OF America. in this city a few days ago.
that coInmercialism still hourished so far
as baseball was concerned in the big
Eastern colleges, should he called on 10
be more explicit in the interests of amateur
sport. Mr.. Golden was quoted as saying
that he knew students at three of the
colleges OF the so-called big six who
have played summer baseball with men
from Pennsylvania State. In speaking of
the big six he referred 10 Yale. Harvard,
Princeton. Pennsylvania. Cornell and.
probably, Dartmouth, and ct these colleges
summer baseball for 4 money considera-
tion is under the ban. IN fairness 10 the
three institutions which are not indirectly
charged with harboring ineligible players.
Mr.. Golden should name specific cases and
not cast slur on all six III defending the
practice al his own university.
Commercialism, which is only another
word for professionalism in this case
should not be tolerated in college athletics
II opens the way 10 many evils. not the
least Of which is the fostering of "A wrong
spirit snd the snuffing out of fair competi-
ton. Mr.. Golden says. We try to be on
she level and on the square and 10 play
e. the open at Pennsylvania State, and we
Throw nothing in the way of our men
playing baseball, il they play il we'll
enough 70 play ii professionally for what
eyer they can get out OF it in the sum-
ner." That part about being on the square
sounds well enough. and il is true that II
shuts the door against the evils of deceit
and pTeyarication, but II is simply no de-
fence al all 10 the crying evil of semi
professionalism. II a man must be allowed
10 commit one offence in order TO prevent
his committing another, even though ii may
ie 4 greater one, it is time for Tehabi'i-
ration OF college athletic morals.
The playing of summer baseball, which
opens the way 10 commercialism and semi
professionalism. presents a problem which
Is not easy 10 solve. The intercollegiate
Athletic Association of the United States
has been struggling with it for some three
years while the faculty committees of the
Various colleges and universities have been
doing their best to stamp out the evil for
e much longer period. Il may be said that
much has been done in recent years 10
eTneliorate the conditions, but if Mr. Golden
Is right there is still much 10 be done
II worst comes TO worst it might be well
40 remove all restrictions, as Is done at
Pennsy lvania State and Brown University
for that matter, if a student maintains his
standing in his classes, but. after ALL 1t
seems like a weak and vacillating way to
correct an evil.
holm
nav his expenses through college by playing
summer baseball has nothing to be ashamed
Of until he tries TO cover up his actions IN
order 10 play on his college nine. Therein
lies the evil. Other members of the team,
who do not actually need the money, are
encouraged by his example TO do the same
and the unfortunate spirit OF commercial
ism is fostered Further than that, the
man who has the training on professional
or se-of.professional teams has an unfair
advantage in competition for places on the
college. nine with those who do not. Worst
Of all, however, is the disposition TO
ring in players who are not bona flde
college men. and thus emphasize the un-
welcome spirit of winning at any cost. 1t
seems a pity that college athletics cannot
he governed in way 10 confine compeu-
ton 10 the simon-pure amateur.
The action OF the executive committee
OF the National Steeplechase and Hunt As
sociation in reversing the ruling of the
stewards of the United Hunts Racing
Association meeting on Election Day, when
Allan Pinkerton's Macedonia was disquali-
fed on the ground that his rider was not
disabled after falling off, bears out what
was said in this column the Monday
following the race. The ruling hinged upon
the Interpretation of the word disabled, -
and ! said at the time: There should be
30 room for conflict or Inconsistencies
In the rules OF racing. A revision is neces-
sary, or a formal Interpretation of the
word disabled should Ice made to avoid
suy. controversy or misunderstanding in
the. future" ] am not patting myself on
the back. as l was not only voicing my
own judgment, but that OF a number Of
veil known men interested in steeplechas-
snG. Under the circumstances il is salts
Tying that among other proposed amend
ments TO the jumping rules, it was deemed
advisable 20 take up this subject.
The proposed amendment, which viii be
acted upon to-day. among others, is none
700 explicit. and could be improved by in
sorting three or four words. 1t now reads:
in SteepiechaSeS and hurdle races any
horse getting away from his rider may
be -eTnounted in any part of the same field
or incloSure in which the occurrence took
place, but should such horse not be caught
until he shall have entered another field,
then he shall be ridden brought back 10
lie one in which he parted from his rider
Any rider 50 losing his horse may be as
sisted in catching him and remounting
without risk OF disqualification.
After the word ''remounted," in the sec
ond line, the words should be added by
his original Jockey only" This would make
the rule clear.
Hever since hockey was first introduced
into New York has there been such a dis
graceful affair marked the game last
Monday night at the ST. Nicholas Rink
when the contendiuS teams, the Wanderers
Of New York and the seven from Toronto
University, engaged in d free fight toward
The end OF the contest. Unfortunately the
home team was largely, if not altogether,
10 blame. 4 repetition Of such tactics will
cause the officials OF the league TO take
drastic action ana bar certain men from
the game here. A. il was, two of the Off
cials. on behalf OF the organization apoIo-
eized 10 the Toronto players for the treat
ment they had received There is absolute
j. no excuse for some OF the unfair tricks
pulled of in two on three games this sea
san by Tie Wanderers. The assistant ref
cree has been Culpable 10 some extent rs