The Alaska citizen., 1916-01-17
OF A SPORTING NATURE

Braves from Terre Haute, who was a sensation in the closing days of the National league season, will be Stalllng's star left handed tosser next season. Nchf got into twelve games. and was credited with win ming five and losing four This may not seem impressive, but other fig ures about his work make him shine. He pitched 7S innings and allowed only 58 hits.
 SAN FRANCISCO-The concerted effort which was made in New York city. December 27. by the govern ing bodies in all branches of sport to reach a mutual understanding relative to the amateur status of competitors, was thought by many, the most important athletic meeting held in the last decade. Every DOT tion of the country was affected and interested and the decisions that were arrived at will be far-reacaing.
 So many sided is the subject mat ter in hand that many believed it would be impossible to approach its many angles at one conference, and that some kind of committee would have to be appointed to report later, after every viewpoint had been thor ouehly considered. Such action, how ever, was unnecessary.
 While the Amateur Athletic Union specifically defines an amateur, its application constantly has been a thorn in the side of athletics, and nothing would be more welcomed than a clearing up of the question and a ruling made that could be made to stick when occasion arises to make use of it.
 The matter is of the greatest mo- ment to amateur officials of the Pacific coast and especially in Cali fornia, where professional boxing has been legislated against. Pro fessional boxing promoters are con stantly offering exhibitions by al legad amateurs. and the como ttrn between an amateur and these pro fessiOnal promoters is, in itself, looked upon as questionable. The danger of bona fide amateur un- willingly becoming entangled is de creased under the late rulings.
 "Olver Willard will never be any more good after he finishes with this race" This was the predia- tion of number of experienced fol lowers of track and field sports re- garding the Olympic club champion long di.tance runner Of the Pacific coast He was competing in the full Ma athon held last August un- der the auspices of the Panama Pacific exposition and ran third to lIdoIard Fabre, of Montreal, the national champion, after making the pace for the first twenty miles.
 Willard, however, continues to maintain the honor conceded him as being the best distance runner on the coast, and it does not ap- pear that he has spoiled himself for future competition.
 His recent performance in the Pacific Association cross country race of 6 miles which he ran in 37:55 thereby cutting nearly a minute and half off the previous record for the course, as established by him self last year year, has brought about the change of mind. Willard first came into national prominence by all but beating out flames kole- hemainen in the five-mile National Champion last summer.
 Willard is tall and rangy and his appearance is far from being that generally ascribed to an athlete. His muscles, however, are like slen- der steel bands and he has an easy stride from from all unnecessary and lost effort The fact that he keeps his speotacles on when he competes adds to his unathletic ap- DaarancP