Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-15
FOOT BALL RULES
NEED NO CHANGES
Except for Minor Details Grid
iron Code Has Reached
Stage Of Real Stability.
BY n, c. BYRD.

COlle&ldCe Athletic >aSSOCldSlolI AAiSs Gown
year and altered. revised, cut out and
added to until the coaches and officials
began to look forward to each following
year with wonder and awe, with a kind
of hope that there would be something
left in the rules of recognizable nature
SO that the mentors would not have to
learn the game entire again before they
began teaching it to candidates for
teams.
Part of the aforegoing paragraph, or
course, is somewhat of an exag-
geration, but it is not the least bit OF
an exaggeraticn to say that coaches
and officials heaved sigh of RELIEF
two years ago when it was stated
by the rules committee that the\code
needed no changes more than few
minor alterations to clarity cer<
tain more or less ambiguous para
graphs. Last fall no meeting Of the
committee took place and Harry Will
liams, chairman of the committee, re-
ported that no changes were neces-
sary, and recompended that the code
be allowed to stand.
Just. such report probably will be
brought in this year at the meeting Of
the rules committee. Last year it
actually was not deemed necessary
to have a meeting of the committee,
and in all probability no official gath
ering, will take place this season
Certain it is that the rules have
reached a state Of stability that
augurs little for the future in the
way OF changes. In 1909, when the
code allowed more than four men be-
hind the line of scrimmage and gave
opportunities for much more power
full mass plays than are possible now,
the rules which govern foot ball got
their greatest overhauling. The over
hauling was somewhat crude, as
might have been expected, but con-
tinuous minor changes and altera-
tons since have about given sta
bility to the rules that is not likely
to be disturbed seriously at any time.
Heavy mass plays directly into the
line, which edsto be responsible for
practically all serious injuries, were
done away with in 1909. and since
some of the other more dangerouh
methods of play have been legislateo
against injuries, except small bruises
done away with. The play is for the
most part open and full of possibili.
ties for the spectacular, the one fac
tor which will serve to popularize
the sport more than any other. The
spectator is always watching fol
is the one factor that makes base bal
the game it is, so is foot ball likely
to awaken greater interest.
No greater example of the spectacu-
lar possibilities of foot ball could be
given than the event which took
IL in, "a
Lakes game. Laying aside the Incl
dent of the substitute rushing from
the side line, the whole possibility
Of something unlocked for was shown
in the play that turned a IL or Ii to>O
victory for Navy into a to defeat
down and carried the ball across the
goal line for the second. However
Ingram fumbled and a Great Lakes
player picked up the ball behind his
own goal line and ran about 1O5
yards for touchdown.
Many persons are wondering to
what extent the war will influence
athletics in the colleges. In all prob
ability there are two answers to that.
competition will receive a great
stimulus and. if anything. attain
greater proportions than before. and
the other that there will be put into
effect in every institution a much
broader system of intramural sports.
Physical directors from many col
1eges have been serving in that ca
pacity in the Army and have learned
many lessons. Placed in positions in
which their ingenuity has been taxed
to the utmost they have devised many
peculiar and rather interesting kinds
of competition, that require neither
equipment nor extended practice. In
Mt worfa fhorn has hoar daEa1nneC
in the Army environments in this
country and France. in this country
especially, what may well be called
organized play. The men have beer
taught various forms of competition
involving the elemental principles Of
leges, where these games may be
elaborated by equipment, a much
broader system of organized play is
sure to be established.
At the meeting of the National Col
1egiate Athletic Association in New
York late in December the question OF
Army sports and their application &C
physical training systems in the col.
leges will be taken up and discussed
from two angles. DR.. Raycroft of the
War Department commission on train.
ing camp activities is scheduled tc
talk on the situation from a general
practical suggestion from a stand.
point. Of actual service IN the field.
"Tody" Riggs, captain and short
stop of the Maryland State nine next
spring, is to be back in college at the
beginning of the second term. Riggs
has been a lieutenant in the Army for
the last six months, detailed to work
in military instruction at the New
Hampshire State College. Riggs plays
shortstop and is one Of the best col
1ege infielders in the east. Lighter
Aitcheson, pitcher last year, who is
acting in the same capacity at the
University Of Virginia that Riggs is
at New Hampshire. and Jake Smith
College. also have signified their in
tention to return as soon as they get
out Of the Army. which is expected
to be not later than January I.
Two star basket ball players Of To-
cal institutions, probably will be bach
on the floor this winter-Fees Of
Georgetown and o'Brien at Catholic
University. These two men stood
out head and shoulders above othel
players in the section last season. es
pecfally in throwing goals from thu
floor and from the foul line. Boil
were remarkably accurate in tossins
the ball into the basket from almos
any angle.
An effort is being made to get tn
colleges in Maryland to agree to tn
formation Of an intercollegiate league
Several such attempts have been un
fruitful In the last seven years, ant
1t Is doubtful IL this one will be an
moro productive, notwithstanding tina
the colleges generally are on mucl
better terms than usual.
Dempsey to Have Go With Morris
NEW ORLEANS, December IL