The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-28
SPORTING COMMENT
BY T. D. BONNEVILLE.

Having adopted six far-reaching
changes In the game of football, the
intercollegiate football rules commit
tee has taken the first step toward
rendering the game more dangerous.
thus preventing widespread move
ment to abolish the best college game
forever. The committee, composed
OF the leading football experts. has
seemingly succeeded In solving the
problem OF eliminating as far as pos
sible the dangers that have attended
the game. while to the usual spec
tator there will appear no great diff
ference In the play, and 1t will hold
the same fascination and be OF the
same general benefits to the partici-
pants.
AS brought out at the meeting. the
new rules put iufa effect will have
the result OF greatly weakening the
offense, and the next work OF the
committee Will be to devise means by
which the difference will be made up.
To do this 1t has been proposed that
there be a limitation of the forward
pass to territory behind the line Of
scrimmage, and to limit the width Of
the scrimmage lines, These two pro-
visions will tend to make forward
passes and quarterback runs better
ground gamers by opening up the
play and making up for the weakness
In the ofYense.
The changes SO far adopted will
result, in q large measure, in the
elimination to mass plays, which
have been responsible for the great
er number of accidents. The substi-
tuition of open plays win greatly les
sen the danger. and In the new game
premium will be placed on speed
and strategy rather than on weight
and brute strength as heretofore
The change providing that seven
men be kept by the offense on the
line of scrimmage will prevent the
drawing back of linesmen for often
sive plays. and Ia severe blow to
the mass play. The change provid-
ing against the flying tackle Is one
that will do much to prevent acct
dents, and was quickly agreed upon
by the committee. The division OF the
game into four quarters will have the
result OF keeping the men compare
lively fresh, the contention Of the ex-
perts being that the majority OF men
are hurt while in an exhausted con-
dition, and that II they are kept
strong the danger of accident is ma
terially lessened. An examination, of
PLAYERS during each of the intermis-
sion will determine whether or not
they are in fit condition to continue
the game. Provision u made that a
player once leaving the game may re-
| turn In q subsequent quarter. Under
| this rule particular star may re-
main out of the game for one or more
| quarters and return when needed.
fresh and ready for his best work.
T The new changes are to be tested
! by each member Of the committee at
! his own college pending the next
meeting to be held at the University
| Club in Philadelphia on April 80. The
plans for offsetting the weakness of
| the offense will be studied. and the
| working value of the new rules will
I receive the closest consideration. II
+ is probable that several minor
! changes may be made In the sugges-
| lions as they now stand, but In ef-
! feet they will be practically the same,
The elimination of the mas play,
provision against diving tackles. open
play and speed Will save the game
and the lives of the players. making
! the best college sport stiA a favorite
! and providing against adverse legis-
llation, which so nearly stopped the
game In Virginia during the last SEES
sion OF the Legislature
"a comparison of tho recent games
| between clubs Of the Virginia League
and the big leaguers may give fans
/ an idea of the relative strength OF
1 the clubs. The showing made by the
/ Richmond team against tho Philadel-
phia Nationals In the game Friday
was more than pleasing to all who
witnessed 1t. That the. locals should
score twice against one OF the strong.
/ est teams In the country and one II
perfect training speaks well for the
| offensive work OF the club. Nine hiti
or two of the Phfilies' star twirleri
was the fruit OF the Colts batsmen
1 and with better base running the,
might have added one or two more
runs to the score.
WHITE Roanoke hetd the PhfIlfei
down to six runs in Saturdays game
| they themselves failed TO even make
pretense of~scoring. and the reason
for the Phiilies not making more
runs may be that they changed theii
| tactics since leaving here. In ths
games with the Colts they were try.
! ing to knock the ball away. Will
4 Roanoke they may have been prac.
/ ticing bunting ana base running with
short hits. Tho Colts aye@rsli pleased