New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-01
Point To Be Taken Up by
the Rules Committee
at Its Meeting
This Week.

The numbering OF PLAYERS. according TO
no less an authority than Walter Camp
| viii be one OF the chief points To be con-
sidered 10y the footballs rules committee
at its meeting IN this city next Friday
Since last season the plan, originally sug-
gested I'm The Tribune has been gaining
ground rapidly
\ symposium recently conducted by
The Yale Daily News among football
coaches and captains finds a decided ma
jorty in favor of the plan In fact. those
who are in opposition seem called upon
To take defensive attitude.
The objection raised most frequently is
/ that numbering players tends TO expose
formations. To encourage the grandstand
player and 20 make football spectacle
rather than a game James Reilly, coach
Of the Annapolis team, sees in the plan
an attempt TO put the game In the class
of organized entertainment for every
one" II is noticeable. however. that in
most cases captains and coaches express
more consideration for the mere spec
tator
Harold Balm. the Princeton captain.
refers TO the spectators as the ones
who make it possible TO play" HOBBY"
Baker. last years captain, says: "Outsd-
ers. IL YOU will permit me TO use the word.
have TO be considered" George orion.
OF Pennsylvania, is a vigorous supporter
Of the plan
one or two object that the use OF num-
bers will make 1t easier for the team on
the defence to solve the plays of its
opponents. An answer to this is found
in the message OF Burleigh Crukshank,
captain Of Washington and Jefferson who
said
The Washington and jefferson team
has worn numbers for the last two sea-
sons and has at all times found the plan
to be very successful. Washington and
Jefferson has a very open style of attack
and has found this plan at no time inter
feres with the play"
In this opinion Cruikshank is supported
by L. A. Whitney. captain Of the Dart
mouth eleven which was the first OF the
larger colleges 10 use numbers. Whitney
in speaking Of the Carlisle Dartmouth
game said:
The coaches could rot see wherein the
numbering interfered with the playing.
and ]. as a pa. pant in the game can
say that from tn players standpoint. il
made absolutely no difference
Princeton is notable convert to the
number plan. Captain Balm expresses
himself as decidedly in favor of the
scheme provided it is used by all the col
leges Baker last years leader, although
reluctant, admits thai there IS more TO be
said in favor of the plan than against IT.
Captain Norgren. of Chicago, which used
numbers in its final game and won an
easy victory. IS in favor Of the plan. as
is Walter Eckersall. who SAYS that all
the leading teams OF the West, except
Minnesota, will use numerals next sea-
son, even If the rules committee falls TO
take action in the matter.
Balm. the Princeton captain, sees
nothing in the bugaboo of cOmmercalism.
His only objection to numbering the men
lies in the belief that it would be a
handicap unless all the teams follow the
same procedure. In discussing this he
said:
1T would undoubtedly add interest to
the game for the spectators. who are the
ones that make il possible TO play. How
ever, / do not believe 1t would be fair to
one team 10 do IT and not the other, for
numbering the players would undoubtedly
make it easier for the opposing coaches
TO spot the formations
HOBBY Baker wrote as follows:
Il cannot say ! like the idea, for it
seems TO me il brings a sort of profess
sional and business element into sport
already too much that way There is no
getting around the fact that II would
make the game more interesting 10 the
casual observer and easier for the report
ers and of course. these outsiders. II you
will permit me TO use the word, have to
be considered In my mind 1t Is consider
alton for outsiders against the element OF
professionalism ii brings in, and ]. think
consideration for the outsider wins IN
other words, ] am In favor Of numbering
the men"
Brown is a house divided against itself