Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-30
TALK FOOTBALL RULE CHANGE
Collegiate Athletic Association
Meets in New York.
F0RWARD pAss IS IN ISSUE
Experts Declare Offcnsc Under
Present Conditions Iabors Uhder
Too Great HandIcnp-wcaIser
Team Has Advantage.

NEW YORK, Dec. "a change In
loot ball rules 80 as to allow freer use
OF the forward pass, the promotion OF
soccer foot ball. the elimination OF the
professional coach in college sports, the
doing away with gate receipts and the
recognition OF summer base ball playing
as legitimate were some OF the questions
discussed before 100 delegates to the sixth
annual meeting Of the National Collegiate
Athletic association here yesterday.
The present foot bail rules on the whole
arc satisfactory and ought to be DIS
tprbed as little as possib.e, according to
the report OF the chairman Of the rules
committee, pr. II. i. williams. coach OF
the University OF Minnesota, but were
criticised by him as giving too much ad
vantage on wet days TO an inferior team
which, on a muddy field, he said, could
nullify the most brilliant defense. In re-
gard to the forward pass, he said:
There is no question that under the
present rules the development and skill
ful execution OF the forward pass In one
OF the most important factors Of an eff
cient attack. II the restriction OF twenty
yards beyond the line OF scrimmage were
removed and no limit as TO the distance
put on the throw. simply providing that
the man making the catch should get
tho ball before II strikes the ground.
believe the rules would be improved and
soccer Com mmittee Named. 4
Sentiment In favor OF soccer foot ball
was crystallized by the appointment OF a
committee headed by DR. James A. Iab-
bltt OF Haverford college 20 form an as
soeiatlon 10 pilot the game. DR. Babbitt,
reporuns for the central board OF Off
ciais, predicted that soccer foot ball was
destined TO become the favorite outdoor
sport, view upheld by Prof. w. Il. =.
uarceion OF Harvard and by r. Tait-Mc-
Kenzie OF the University of Pennsylvania.
The discussion Of summer base ball
brought out varylng opinions as 10
whether the amateur law should and
could be strictly enforced.
Captain Palmer f. Pierce, president OF
the association, predicted that summer
base ball playing by college men for pay
had come TO stay.
The question iB shall Il he permits
and be considered as not affecting the
players amateur standing" ne said, "or
I've steps be taken 10 prevent the player
from representing his college IN inter
collegiate contests"
The view that strict application OF the
amateur law TO summer base hall could
not be enforced wasawarmiy supported
By other speakers.
Minor Changes sukRested.
Only minor changes were suggested by
the committee on basket ball and track
rules. The present committees in the
various branches OF sport were elected
with some additions and the foot ball
rules committee was requested to report
and publish Us rules in the spring in
stead OF the fall to promote the open
game TO formulate a plan for reducing
as far as possible the number OF off
clals.
A redistricting plan by states was
adopted and these officers were elected; |;
Captain Palmer E. Pierce, president: II.
w. Johnston OF the University OF Indi-
ana, vice president; Prof. r. w. Nicol-
son, secretary treasurer.
BY unanimous vote the association de-
cided 70 seek attiliation with the inter-
collegiate Association OF Amateur Ath-
leties OF America and the intercollegiate
Gymnasts OF America.