The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-31
DISCUSS COLLEGE
MEN RECEIVING PAY
FOR PLAYING BALL
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION HEARS MANY Elk
PREssIONs on SUBJECT--s0ME
OTHERS WOULD CHANGE EN-
FORCEMENT or RULE.

NEW YORK. Dec. 30.--The old ques-
ton of whether or not u college stu
dent may accent money for playing
summer baseball and still retain his
status as an amateur furnished the
main topic for discussion today ut ths
eighth annual convention of the Ma
tional Collegiate Athletic association
ut tho Hotel Astor.
One thing that practically everyone
present agreed upon was that nothing
which might appear radical could be
done off-hand. The fact that 1t LIS not
the best thing for college sport in
general to have ty.aE- EARNING their liz
ing on the diamond and also represent
Ing their alma mater in supposedly
pure sport was well established II
seemed, however, 10 be just as certain
a matter that little or nothing could
he readily done which would change the
aspect af the situation
College Men stfH Piay.
There was no doubt In the minds OF
the delegates TO the meeting but that
college men sim play baseball In the
summer and that they derive very
credible income from It and that the
association with it's present rules was
hardly In a position to stop IL.
Professor Il. III. Nichols, OF Harvard
university. suggested that the playing
OF summer baseball for money be pro-
htbited absolutely. He brought out the
fact that at best baseball Id not play
ing profession. II was his opinion on
thewhole a players life of usefulness fs
over when the man has reached the
age OF thirty 1--WE and that at that time
the man who has made the sport his
Ilfe's work, In vertically on the rock,
for being through baseball. he must
start life anew and must begin WITT
something at which he has had no
training.
He said that IL the men were allowed
to play for money, naturally enough
the college with the biggest purse would
have the best ball team, because II
would be certain to offer Inducements.
He mentioned cases of college men who
attested to their amateur standing
holding cut that they had not been
paid for playing baseball at one of the
numerous summer hotels. On invesu-
cation 1t WAS found that some of these
men had acquired their money by bet
ting the manager Of the team that they
worked for Atty dollars that they could
Jump over n stick held one foot of the
ground. They won. of course. and re-
NAMED amateurs, because they had not
taken the coin ball playing
Change Enforcement Of Rule.
According to DIR. Nichols the way
out OF the difficulty is not to change this
rule but the method OF enforcing II and
suggested that instead of putting II
up TO the authorities to prove the gull
81 the student rather let the student
show his innocence and be like Caesar
wife "above suspicion"
George Hun. who was at the meeting
could not see why man might not be-
an amateur at one branch Of sport and
q professional at another. He pointed
out the fact that ninety per cent oi
tho population, including the same ratio
OF students could see no harm in a mar
going out and picking up few dollars
playing ball and that this being tbs
ease no change could be made. He com
pared the baseball player earning Z
couple OF dollars for his work and be
ing called professional to the track
athlete who carries home a diamond
medal or a gold watch for his effort:
and remains an amateur.