Evening star., 1940-06-24
BY LEWIS F. ATCHISON.

arisen since robust Al Blozis, George
towns towering shot-putter, f1exed
his biceps, pitched the brass ball Sc
feet y inch and promptly laid
claim to the American record for
this particular activity. One faction
says the feat certainly deserves
recognition and another bawls ii
certainly doesn't.
The cause celebre occurred in Min
neapolis last Friday when Blozis was
warming up for really good throw
in the National Collegiate Athletic
Associations annual championship
meet. His trial effort was good
enough to take the title and stir up
such gab-fest as staid old track
fans haven't enjoyed since all argu-
ments about 4-minute. mile were
exhausted.
There is no doubt that altitude
nous Al actually heaved the ball the
distance claimed. Maj. John j.
Griffith, Big Ten Conference COM
missioner, was there with his ever
ready measuring tape to mark OFF
the feet and inches. Furthermore
the good major. who refereed the
meet, announced the record would
be recognized by his conference.
That brought burst of applause
from one group and howl of dis
approval from another.
Technically Balks Claim.
The technicality barring Blozis'
outright and uncontested claim to a
record, 1t seems, is that he did his
pitching in the comparative comfort
OF a big but warm and cozy field
house. Ironically enough, the
weightmen, hulking Founders
capable of spanking a squad of East
River stevedores in a free-for-all
were hustled indoors when a fearful
wind and rainstorm swept the field
while frail sprinters and anemic-
looking half-milers were left to sink
or swim on the flooded track.
Now, the point is can an outdoor
record be made indoors? It's a good
trick If done without mirrors, and
never before attempted. The grour
clamoring for recognition point out
he made the throw with regulation
brass shot, that he was standing In
dirt ring at the time and compet-
ing under conditions identically the
same as outdoors but without the
wind and rain in his hair. Grour
II screams the wind and rain would
have made difference, would have
rendered footing uncertain and
handling OF the ball difficult and
finally, If it's going to be an outdoor
record 1t should be made outdoors
weather conditions to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
Seeking information and advice or
the subject, we buttonholed Geary
Eppley, Maryland's coach, ane
Dorsey Griffith, Catholic Universit,
mentor. Both agreed that Blozis de.
served recognition and the record
Conditions Similar to Outdoors.
Everybody had the same chance
under the same conditions" Griffitl
reasoned. And If AL was that mucl
better he should receive credit due
The National Record Committe,
probably will wait until after tn,
national A. A. U. meet in Fresh,
Saturday, however, and see how h,
does there before making a decision
II he equals it or betters the mari
I think they'll refuse to recognize
the Minneapolis throw and give hin
the Fresno mark, but If he's unde
Sc feet think they'll have to let /
stand"
Eppley allowed as how they']
have to give him some sort o
recognition, and since it wasn't al
indoor meet he doesn't know Jus
how they would label it unless the,
called 1t the outdoor mark.
After all, he put it out. there,
he said, "and you simply can't shu
your eyes to that fact"
Hap Hardel, Blozis' coach
couldn't be reached, but If he cam,
out for anything but a record 70,
can expect the Fourth of July to
morrow.
Allow us to add one vote TO,
recognition. If you're opposed jus
try throwing 16-pound ball some;
time, indoors or out.
Signor Chris Dundee, the prom.
4r%t l. -. =