Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-27
CHANGES MADE
IN BASKETBALL
Compulsory For College and
Amateur Teams to Have
Arc Boundary Line

New York, Dec. 27.-Interpreta-
tions of the new playing code recent
ly arranged by the joint basketball
rules committee, of the National Col
legiate Athletic Association, Young
Mems Christian Association and the
Amateur Athletic Union were ex-
planned at a meeting of delegates of
the three organizations named at the
Astor Hotel last night. DR.. Joseph E.
Raycroft, chairman of the commit
tee, presided
1t was announced that the one i'm
portant modification of the rules re-
lateS to the course itself. 1t has
been the experience of the commit
tee that player frequently has been
deprived of. we'll earned field goal
because in throwing the ball his foot
touched the boundary line.
Often there is serious question of
doubt in the referees mind as to
whether a player is in or out of
bounds on a close play under the
basket. Accordingly the rules COM
mittee has added an extension to the
an arc of a circle with an extension
of two feet at it's greatest width di-
rectly back of the basket. Thus the
entire blackboard is within bounds
and on the floor the player has an
additional leeway of two feet under
the basket. This change it was stat
ed is an experiment. Where the end
boundary line is a wall this extension
does not apply and the end will be
the straight line as heretofore.
Must Watch Changes
All officials, players, coaches and
enthusiasts are asked to watch the
working out of these changes and
report to the joint committee how
they affect the game.
College basketball experienced it's
best season last year, and the future
holds out bright outlook for the
game despite the war. Every sec
ton of the country reports an in
crease in interest. All are complet-
ing arrangements to stage complete
schedules of championship matches.
1t would be a slight to the game
not to mention the great number of
court stars who are enlisted in Uncle
Sans service. No sport has contrib
uted more generous manner than the
court game. Few of the leading
aggregaticns have not lost some of
their stars. A majority of the fore
most teams will have to be recruited
entirely from substitute material.
This, however, will not cause any
appreciable falling off in the quality
of the game that will be witnessed
during the present season.
Lasting Sport
The fact that basketball is being
played by the younger generation
guarantees its future for many years
to come. No sport has won greater
popularity among junior contestants
than basketball. 1t is being played
by greater number of juveniles to-
day than any other game, with the
possible exception of baseball.
The rules of the game during the
past few years have been changed to
such an extent that weight and
strength have been eliminated. In
this way the lad of tender years who
has not reached his full growth can
play the game without the danger of
bodily injury.
Bodily contact in every form has
been barred by the playing rules. At
least, the individual who resorts to
rough work is penalized to such an
extent that he is dropped from the
game. Tho sport to-day is faster
and much more interesting than in
former years.