The Washington herald., 1911-12-29
FEW CHANGES In
FOOTBALL CODE
National intercollegiate As
sociation Opens Meeting.
NOTHING STARTLING BOOKED
Restriction ON Forward Pass May
Be Removed, Making a Pass Legal
IL Tossed I'm Any Direction for
Any Distance-To Do Away with
All Penalties Except one.

New York, Dec 2-College football
as It is played at present will, with ex-
tremely few variations, constitute the
diet of next seasons gladiators if the
National intercollegiate Association has
its say in the matter. The sixth annual
meeting of this athletic organization
was held at the Hotel Astor to-day, and
while no definite action has yet been
taken ON the football code the general
consensus of opinion seems to be that
the tinkers should leave good enough
alone.
1t was generally conceded that with
q very few miner changes the rules code
as observed in 1912 would serve very
well for the immediate future. About
the only Objectionable feature in the
existing rules was found in the restric-
tions of the forward pass 1t was
thought that IL the, twenty yards dis
tance clause was stricken from this rule
everything would be fine and dandy. In
short, 1t is planned to modify the for
ward pass in such a manner as to per-
NIT the toss to be made in any direction
for any distance so long as IL is re-
ceived before it touches the ground, and
to remove all penalty save the loss of
the down. This sentiment was voiced
by such eminent authorities as Coach
Williams, of Minnesota, and Coach War
ner, of Carlisle. The middle West ap-
pears solid for the retention Of the pres
ent rules with very few notifications.
All Have Not Spoken.
OF course, the many colleges and the
various sectional feelings comprised in
the National intercollegiate Association
has as yet not had a chance to voice
all the various sentiments relative to
football legislation. 1t may be that some
CT the lesser consultations may attempt
to spring few surprises before the
meeting adjourns. But just now the
game as 1t was played in 1911 appears
quite safe.
One thing in its advantage is the fact
that under the new rules injuries have
been minimIzed. There has been more
or less dissatisfaction over the fact that
the existing rules put too much Of a
premium on attack, especially when wet,
sloppy weather conditions prevail. 1t is
pointed out that inferior defense is now
able to offstand superior offense when
ten yards must be made IN three downs.
But il Is also pointed out that with the
forward pass restrictions removed, the
game would naturally be opened out to
offset defensive advantages.
II is not believed that with this change
four downs would be at all necessary.
College baseball occupied a great deal of
attention also. 1t was even suggested
that the game be abolished for a time
in order to rid the summer pastime of
its professional stigma. Champions Of the
fame advocated that the bars should
be let down to permit athletes to play
professional baseball during the summer
months without injuring their amateur
standing This matter is still to be
thrashed out.
tt was decided to propagate the game
Of soccer football and make Il an institu-
ton Of college competition.
A motion to clarity the basketball
code was adopted. Also it was decided
to minimize the number of football OFF,
cials.