The Washington herald., 1910-09-19

With the opening OF the schools and
colleges, and the gathering Of gridiron
squads for preliminary work. the fol-
lowers OF sport are made 20 realize the
nearness OF another football season.
Many OF the larger institutions have al
ready seen their score or more Of candi-
dates engaged in early practice. and even
the smaller fry and the high schools
have begun active preparation toward
the development OF teams OF plgskin war
riors who are certain 10 reflect gridiron
glory upon the standards they bear
In many respects, this ante-season foot
ball labor and enthusiasm is not unlike
that Of other years; in one essential par
ticular, II is vastly different Never In
the history OF this ever-changing game
have its followers been so uncertain as
TO the outcome, so dubious as 10 what
to expect OF the various teams which
are 10 contend for honors It's simply a
case OF being up IN the air" The rev.
dictionary work OF the powers that pre-
side over football DESTINY have been so
assiduous In their labors OF lawmaking
that no one can foretell what the results
are to be until the new rules have been
thoroughly tested and it would be UNI
fair 10 PREJUDICE these efforts OF the rules
committee until their work has been
given a fair trial
To Eliminate Chances of Injury.
The chief aim OF those who labored
for the greater part Of a year In making
changes in the playing rules was 10 elm
mate. as far as possible, the chances
Of injury TO the players. without destroy
ing the spectacular features Of the game.
The result has been a set OF rules which
brings into prominence again more work
with the boot and less mass playing.
Weight and r0ughness have given way
70 speed and skill. Al least. this Is what
the rules committee has attempted; but
only actual play can show what kind OF
a game VIII result from the complicated
code which Will now govern contests
on the gridiron.
As was 10 be expected, many comments
and criticisms. and even protests. fol-
lowed the publication OF the new rules.
but all that was said has not prevented
an early effort on the part OF the various
college coaches 20 develop as strong
teams as possible in accordance with the
new laws. And II may be safely predict
ed that there viii be many elevens seen
in action this fall which will give an
almost perfect demonstration Of the
game as played In 1910
Enthusiasts Are Due for Surprise.
The difficult question at present is, a=d
this is what is puzzling both the coach
and the public, which OF the many
squads now IN practice will excel? II IS
| certain that there are 10 be many sur
prises. Some OF the teams that are now
among the despised class are sure 10 dis
play certain forms of excellence which
will defeat their hitherto formidable op-
ponents. AS the result OF a gridiron
contest no longer rests with heavy line
rushes or massed PLAYS. many a lighter
team, by speed and brilliant headwork,
Will be able TO win. whereas In former
years they would have had no chance
for victory. There are sure 20 be winners
among teams which are now considered
TO have no chance
The development OF the forward pass,
the necessity 10 resort 10 kicking more
frequently than formerly. and the divi-
sion OF the game into four periods, are
| changes which should not detract from
| the game from the spectators stand
point: and. OF course. any change which
tends 70 lessen the chances of injury TO
the player will be welcomed by all
Those who have carefully studied the
new rules believe that after they have
been thoroughly tried many OF the COM
plications will adjust themselves. At
present. however. no one knows what the
football season of 1910 will bring forth,
and all are somewhat anXiously awaiting
the result Of the seasons first big game
at Harrisburg on September a, when
Carlisle meets the eleven from Villa
nova