The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-04-06
TElLS SHOT PUTTERS TO
AVOID HAMMER THROWING
Fitzpatrick Does Not Believe Any
Man Can Excel in Both
These Events.
DIFFERENT MUSCLES ARE USED

Ann Arbor, Mich, April 6.-"Keep
shot-put stars out of the hammer
thrower, and don't let hammer throw
ers whose ability is recognized NEEDLE
with the shot-put," is the theory OF
keene Fitzpatrick trainer OF Michigan
athletes and conceded to he one of the
foremost American authorities on the
development of college athletes. He is
Convinced that the same man cannot
compete successfully In both events, no
matter how versatile he may be. and
that an attempt to develop a star OF
one event into performer i'm the other
will produce results disastrous to even
his attempts i'm the event where he
once showed proficiency.
The question was raised concerning
Joe Horner, the star of the Wolverines
track team and the most versatile col
lege athlete in America at the present
time. The Wolverine trainer was wor-
rying as to what events he should en-
ter Homer in at the Invitation meet at
Philadelphia, and also as to the events
he should develop him i'm for the east
ern intercollegiate later. Horner is
q sure point-winner i'm the shot-put, as
his repeated marks of 46 feet inches
during the indoor season Indicate;
while his work in various other events,
including the discus throw. the hurdles,
the high and broad jumps, the pole
vault. and the dashes are scarcely less
sensational.
Someone asked Trainer Fitzpatrick
if Horner would be used in the ham
mer throw, and upon receiving a neg
ative answer, inquired the reason.
Merely because he would not be able
both TO put the shot and throw the
hammer" replied Fitzpatrick. Right
now he is a star with the shot having
done 46 feet inches consistently in
doors-a mark which should be equiv
alent to AZ feet inches outdoors
That will be good enough to win the
event in most of the meets in which
Horner will participate. For that rea-
son think it would be foolish to ruin
wonderful shot-putter to experiment
with hammer thrower who might or
| Inlkul lpl llhllN utNclpp IlNo a. poihN-
winner i'm the other event
Did you ever stop to realize that
the men who have been worlds stars
in one OF the two events have done lit
tie or nothing of note in the other
event Take the great hammer throw
ers of recent years. Flanagan, Nc
Grath, in the east. and Parry of Chica-
go and Thomas of Purdue IN the west.
None of these men has shown anything
in the shot. Parry was fair shot-put-
ter. but never came close to the mark
he might have made with the shot If
he had left the hammer alone. Nc
Grath can't put the shot; neither can
Flannagan: although both have brill
liant regulations as hammer throwers.
Great shot putters, on the other
hand, are as rarely able to do anything
| i'm the hammer Rose and Coe were
the greatest shot-putters the athletic
| world ever has discovered, and neither
did much with the hammer. Rose tried
to throw the hammer, but met with
only mediocre success, although l am
confident that If he had confined his
attention to the hammer he would have
set worlds record. | was often ask
ed why | did not enter Garrels in the
| hammer throw He had build that
. was ideal for n hammer-thrower. But
il had been shown to me By personal
observation that proficiency i'm both
events seldom If ever was found in one
man. Garrels was n star in the shot
put and was unwilling To take
chance OF spelling him for the shot
with no positive assurance that he
would come up to expectations In the
hammer.
How do you account for the in
liability of a hammer thrower to make a
good shot-putter?" was asked the
great trainer.
by the fact that participation in the
two events brings entirely different
muscles into play; and the development
of the muscles exercised in the shot
put Is seriously affected by an attempt
to develop the hammer throwing mus
Giles: while throwing the hammer re-
quires constant pull. OF course th'
reason given is merely conjecturali
but the result Is certain.