Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-22
AMATEUR UNION ADOPTS
DRASTIC ATHLETIC CODE
Several Strong Changes Made In
Competitive Rules, Which
VIII Aid Sport.
TO sTANDARDInE TRACK WORK
Conflicts In Previous Rules Have
Been Obliterat ed--Ncw Reguln-
tions on Paper Look MS Near Per-
lection as Possible.


Track anu field compositions IA this
country will he governed by q new set
of regulations after April /. \ special
rules committee of the Amateur Attn
letic Union. appointed by President Al
fred j. LII. Jr., last November. has just
completed lta rccodincation or the rules
some of which arc taken from the In
t.-national Athletic Federation code.
and others from the old Amateur Attn
letic Union regulations. and their Mind
inES have been presented for the ap-
prevail or tho board OF managers OF the
Amateur Athletic Union by q mail vot
Justice Barlow <. Weeks, chairman:
auHtnvuS II. Kirby. and HERMAN Never
OF Philadelphia. drafted the now rules.
number Of drastic changes IN tho
competitive rules have been made. and
some Will helr 10 standardiHe track
sport. one OF the principal good works
OF the committee WAS their elimination
Of many foolish clauses. which should
have hecn wiped from the books wears
ago The numerous conflicts that for
m"riy appeared in the rules have also
been obliterated, and. according 10 the
opinion Of athletic experts. the rules on
paper appear MS near perfection a. pos
siblp.
In order To put the new code into CT
feet as soon as possible. the managers
have been requested to hold back amy
next annual convention and allow the
rules m actual trial during the coming
outdoor season.
Chief among the changes In the rules
nre these;
The travelling expenses or an ath;ste
have been reduced to 81 day to har-
monizo with the International Fedora
ton rules.
Indoor Program Changed
The program for the Indoor cham
a. ut
in the future will consist Of sixty-ynrd
dash. 300, 600. 1000 yards, and two
mile runs. two-mile walk. running high
jump, relay race ca new fenture) for
teams OF four men, first man to run
40 yards: second. geo yards: third. $50
broad Jump. standing high jump. run
ming hop. step and jump: putting six
teen instead OF twenty-four- pound shot,
and seventy-yard hurdles race
Winners OF Survivors" prizes will
not be eliminated from the novice Ill
vision
Any athlete competing to coach a
clubmate or any one else, or who com :
petes 10 lose. Will be disqualified.
lr weight events. except I'm throwing
the ATTY pound weight for height,
competitors are no longer permitted TO
leave the circle by the rear half. but
must remain in the circle until his
throw or put Ia marked not measured
by the officials. a weight thrower Is
more apt to foul under these conditions
| than heretofore
| The finish line In future Is to be a
line on the ground drawn across the
track from finish post to finish post
| For the sole purpose OF aiding the
Judges. worsted string can be drawn
across the track and must be fastened
10 the finish post on either side. This
is federation rule and was originally
Ia int q
! regulations.
The discus circle has been Increased
In diameter from seven feet to eight
feet two and one-half inches
Competitors In Marathon races nre
not allowed to receive coaching as
sistance or refreshments during the
race. This Ia a federation rule, and
al the Marathon race has received its
popularity by reason OF being included
in the Olympic program, It has been
deemed wise to retain this provision
Relay Rules Modified.
The relay racing rules have been
modified In accordance with the fedora
ton code creating n zone OF twenty
yards, ten yards on either side OF the
starting line. within which the baton
must be passed.
a definition or walking has been in
| serted. but disqualification without
warning is only provided for in the last
220 yards.
All tracks are to be measured twelve
inches from the curb instead OF eighteen
inches.
Wherever there is a possibility for n
! worlds record being created all the In
, ternntional Federation rules may he
| lived up to.
| In instances OF ties in handicap track
and field events the competitor who re-
ceived the least allowance must get thu
place.
In jumping and pole raultiug, 'balk''
| lines are provided for and two sue
| cessive "balks" are counted as n trial
| The starter receives absolute control
| Of contestants a the start, and II in his
| opinion any man beat the gun" he
can use recall and penallze the Of
| fender.
In distance races over Ave miles no
one can start unless over eighteen years
| old and has passed physical examinn
ton by physician appointed by the or
! gnnlzation conducting the event
only running records made at the
| following distances Will be recognized
by the Amateur Athletic Union: so. 100
go. 800. 49, GOO. $50. 1000, l,32O yards
l. ., 3, s, o. ., Z. s. .. 10, and every five
miles up TO % miles; 100. 200. aOO 400
! 600. $780, 1000. 1900, 1000. 5000, 1000
, 5000. 5000. 1000. 5000. 5000, 5000, l5,.
600. 10000. $4,000. 10000. and 40, O0C
meters; every five kilometers UP 10 4C
kllometers: hour and . hours
I'm the weights the recognized con.
tests arc lS-pound hammer throw, Ii.
pound shot put, 66-pound weight 10,
distance, o6-pound weight for height
| throwing the javelin chest hand), held
by grip. throwing the discus The jumps
are standing high. running high. stand
ing broad. running broad, and running
hop, step and jump. all without weights
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