Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-29
FOOTBALL RULES.
Change Allows Freer Use
Of Forward Pass.
Annual Meeting Of National
) Collegiate Athletic Assn.
Important Questions Discussed on
Thursday, at New York.


football rules so as TO allow freer use
Of the forward pass, the promotion OF
soccer football the elimination of the
professional coach in college sports,
the abolition of gate receipts and the
recognition of summer baseball play
ing as legitimate We're some of the
questions discussed by various speak
ers before 100 delegates TO the 9Th an
nual meeting of the National Cole
giate Athletic Association in this city,
today. The present football rules are
on the whole satisfactory and ought
TO be disturbed as little as possible.
according to the report of the chair
man of the football rules committee,
DIR. II. S. Williams, coach of the Uni
versity of Minnesota. They We're crit
icized by him, however. as giving too
much advantage on wet days to an
inferior team which, on muddy field,
could nullify the most brilliant de-
fence. In regard to the forward pass.
he said:
There is no question that under the
present rules the development and
skilful execution of the forward pass
is one of the most important factors
of an efficient attack. If the restric
ton of 20 yards beyond the line of
scrimmage We're removed and no linn
1t as to the distance put on the throw,
simply providing that the man max
ing the catch should get the ball be-
fore IL strikes the ground [ believe
the rules could be improved and
strengthened
Sentiment in favor of succer foot
ball WAS crystalized by the appoint
ment of a committee to form an as
ISOLATION to promote the game. DR..
Rabbit reporting for the central
board of officials, preicted that sue
Ger was destined to become the IA
vorite outdoor sport This view was
upheld by W. F. Garcelon of Harvard
because at has none of the danger
Gus elements of football" and by r.
Tait-MeKenzie, of the University of
Pennsylvania, who said that. the only
fatality he had heard of resulting
from soccer football was when a
spectator burst blood vessel laugh
Ing at player who missed the ball.
The discussion of summer baseball
produced varying opinions. as to
whether the amateur law should and
could be strictly enforced. Chancellor
Samuel Mccormick of the University
of Pittsburg said that he did not be-
lieve that it was any more wrong
for "a student If his object is education
to use his skill and fondness for ath-
letics in getting an education, than
to use his skill on the typewriter, or as
a stenographer, or waiter, or
mower of lawns, for the same laudible
purpose"
Capt. Palmer E. Pierce president of
the association. predicted that summer
baseball playing by college men for pay
had come to stay.
THE question is shall it be permitted
and be considered as not affecting the
players amateur standing" he said, cor
shall 1t be permitted openly. but effective
steps be taken to prevent the player from
representing his college in intercollegiate
contests. Sometimes when one reads of
fessional baseball games we wonder If
we have not reached the fourth period In
the history of Greece-the period of pro-
fessional athletics paid for by the state
and merely used as entertainers for the
crowd. 1t is due TO these tendencies that
the association was organized"
Inc View tnat strict application OF the
amateur law to summer baseball could
not be enforced was warmly supported
by other speakers.
Major Gen. Leonard Wood who was
expected to deliver an address, was un-
able to be present.
Only minor changes We're suggested by
the committee on basketball and track
rules. The present committees In the
various branches of sports We're re-elect-
ed with some additions and the football
rules committee was requested to pro-
mote the open game and to formulate
plan for reducing as far as possible ie
number of officials in all football games
redistricting plan by states was adopt
ed and these officers We're elected
Capt. Palmer Z. Pierce. president: H.
w. Johnston Of the University of In
diana, vice president: Prof. D. w Mich
olson, secretary treasurer
BY unanimous voice the association de-
cided to seek afflliation with the Inter
collegiate Association of Amateur Attn
letics of America and the Intercollegiate
Gymnasts of America