New-York tribune., 1910-01-27
WATER POLO NEEDS
NEW RULES URGED.
Princeton Captain offers Some
Radical Suggestions.

Despite the fact that the intercollegiate
Swimming Association adopted new rules
for water polo only few weeks ago. the
game as now played is not satisfactory to
all concerned. After a thorough trial, Cap
tain Bamman of Princeton believes that.
instead of introducing English methods into
the American game. it would have been
better to take up soccer after modifying 1t
to suit the needs of the college swimmer.
lie proposes to start a crusade in favor of
a game he has in mind. From the way he
spoke one may assume that he has made
close study of the question and is ready to
meet all dissenters with sound and logical
reasons.
1.-THE trouble with aquatics." he said. In
discussing the subject. lis lack of cooper
alton and organization. Were 1t possible
to get together the leading swimmers of the
various sections of the country every side
of a question could be discussed and the
combination of views would lead to the
right thing being done. AS it is. the swim
ming department of the Amateur Athletic
Union is practically a one-nan affair. and
there is no effort on its part either to study
conditions or to find out what the majority
want. The colleges are a little more pains
taking, but their field is naturally restrict
ed. as there is no community of interest
with the swimming fraternity at large.
THE failure to amend the rules governing
American water polo two years ago. when
nine-tenths of our players wanted it done,
instead of being forced to take up soccer. is
just one little example OF what I mean. And
I say this. not because of antagonism to
the English game, of which l am a strong
advocate, but because think it is a shame
~ ,-ft Il =
tempt to popularize it when Westerners
won't hear Of it at ALL
"T o me both the idea of badly inflated
rubber ball and the system of promiscu-
Gus scrimmages are dstasteful. and I
must confess to preferring passing game
in which skill I'm handling the ball is
encouraged At the same time. I think
soccer too tame. 1t hasn't sufficient hand
to-hand encounter to appeal to the aver
age student club athlete. My sugges-
tion is, therefore. to adopt the leather
basketball and to score by throwing, as
ir the English game. but to permit tack
ling whenever player is within four feet
OF the ball. Then we will have an open.
spectacular game in which all the skill
claimed by the English will be in evil
dence, while the many fouls, calling of
which IS at present so aggravating to
spectator and player. will disappear COM
pletely The strenuously inclined will
also have ample opportunity TO admire
their favortes in personal combat though
the terrific scrimmages before goal, which
the referee breads and in which men are
so severely punished will be avoided
Il don't claim the game 7 advocate as
discovery of my own. for 7 understand
that one very similar to IL was originally
in vogue in this country. but had TO he
changed because of the diminutive size Of
the pools in use fifteen or twenty years
ago. The ball. it seems, was continually
going out of bounds. and it became neces-
sary to make the scorer touch the goal
instead of throwing 1t in order to do away
with the constant interruptions. The solid
board was then introduced instead of the
open goal. and the game became trans
FORMED into what II Is at present. In
these days of large pools the reason for
the solid goal has disappeared. and it will
improve matters for every one If the
heavy fully inflated ball is brought back"
After the intercollegiate tournament is
over we expect to try little practice at
Princeton. with new rules. embodying nv
ideas. and We will soon find out how they
work If as satisfactory as we expect,
we will take them to the association next
fal"
Some Of the best exponents Of American
water polo in the country share Mr.. BAN
mans views regarding the improvement
that the game he speaks Of would be over
either soccer or rugby. but there is some
doubt as to the authorities approval Should
the college code not prove entirely satisfac-
tory. however. there is small doubt that the
ASSOCIATION will try Mr.. Bamman's methods
next season.
Mr.. Bamn1an is a we'll known athlete at
Princeton. He played on the varsity foot
ball eleven In 1903 and was centre last fail
He has performed creditahly on track and
held and has been captain of the Prince
ton water polo team for two vears