Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-11
|RR|TATES PLAYERS
MANY INDOOR COMPETITORS
OPPOSE FO0T-FAULT RULE
Objection Mndc TO Enforccmcnt-More
Judges Nceded-Intcrur etation Dir
ferepccs Detrimental In Effects.

Observance of the foot-fault rule has
made poor start for the coming sea-
son on the courts. AS an official re-
marked during the recent national in
door championships in New York. the
lawn tennis players arc becoming more
assertivc Of their privileges every day.
They practically threaten strikes and
get away with it."
Elliott Binzcn. who won the national
Junior honors. WAS one a the irst to
reGific Al polite although firm protest
as 20 receiving penalties from an itin-
Grant judge. lie was not alone for
later Arthur :. craein S. Howard Nos-
hcll and even Clifton Il. Herd indicat cd
in no uncertain way that they We're
aN@rse to being made the special tar
get FOR the penalties meted out by one
judge, while In many other matches
Of I'll. tournament ." attention what
ever was paid to The violations OF the
players Is they delivered the sacrifice.
l, has become no unusual thing for
several "f the ranking men practically
10 refuse IL continue to play. The play
eis do not object 10 warnings. AS
EinZen. CraSn and Noshcll all re-
marked at the tim. OF the champion
ships: We are endeavorinc to deliver
Il fair service. We want 10 obey the
ruics aGd believe are doing 50.
However. Ii is i.G,rt lous TO plac.
guard over a few ".nking men. Wall.
on half dozen ..'ijaccnt courts COM
nciitors arc cn.:rIup in tournament
matches just az important As ours
without any one 10 penalizc them tor
beating the ball one foot or one yard
into court"
As was pointed out by KING Smith,
referee OF the national indoor cham
piunships aud others at the important
watches. the game OF lawn tennis prob
ably requires more officials. meaning
any other sporting pasti;uc. y round
dozen are required 10 sit in Judgment
in all Of tho positions ON tho lines. This
impracticabili or getting this NUM-
her for from half dozen 10 ten
matches that are being contested
simultaneously j. recognized by Off
GERS Of the national association. The
seasoned tournament caupaicncr is
Thoroughly satisfied II from three 10
i've men can h. coaNea to give de-
cisionS on III. lines.
When it comes 10 judging foot faults
there is Scanty response from men
actually qualified TO act. Even man
so well qualified as George T. Adee.
president or the national association.
has admitted that there is a wide and
wild emergency of opinion as to what
constitutes n service foot fault. There
are probably forty WAYS Of breaking
the rule, and that Is what puzzles the
average player who attempts 10 oiti-
ciate.
Herd, the Californian, added q new
service fault TO the list in his recent
matches. lie has acquired a bad trick
OF standing tho same side OF the
court as that TO which lie is serving.
1t is figured that this gives him 4
slight advantage. To the credi, of tn"
Californian, he il said that he changed
Immediately as soon rs The illegal po-
sition was pointed out 10 him.
\ service judge Tor every match or
10 Judges at all seems 20 be the deh-
mite attitude OF the leading players.
They resent special attentions. AS a
consequence. the National Association
is endeavoring 10 provide certified Of
ficials and so work for better and
more satisfactory Observance o! the
rules. II will be put in operation at
the meeting of the executive commit
tee the latter part Of this month.