The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-05
Finishing HOlf with Six Lesol Ploys Would Prevent Confuson of Army-Novy Game
Ry HARRY GRAYSON NEA sports Batter

New YorR. Dec. ( CNEAl-TNe confusion that marrea the end of the dramatic Army-Navy renewal toroibly Sranes to mind a rule change suggested eg Joseph P. Val, New York worldSTelegram sports editor. two years ago.
 Us very simplicity is perhaps the principal reason why the Rales Oom> mitoee has not adopted the aatera- ton. Tt makes too much sense.
 Vas woals simply substitute six legal plays for the last two minutes of a half. A close cheek over the years proves that a fair average.
 That would relieve the officials of much responsibility whlle one team or both is trying to beat the gun. It is the sporting way to end half, when So frequently officials have enough. to do with out having 10 keep one eye on the clock.
 Clocks spin of their last sec ends in school and college games amid tuznult too frequently. but a match like Army and Navy has to end unSatiSfactorilv in this re- gard to catch national attention.
 You know what tranSpirea in Philadelphia. of course. With West Point leading. 9l-is. and the ball on the cadets four with only seven seconds remaining, Capt. Tom Ham ilson sent in Bill Earl to stop the clock. End Leon Bramlett. An- napoliS captain. shouted for time out. Thousands of excited Specta- sors had dashed down from the stands to surround the field. how ever. and in the mixap the ot- sicisls did not see the substitute and paid no attention Co Bramiett.
 They were looking at the clock instead Of the game. so the seven seconds ticked off before Navy could do anything about it. and the midshipnen'S chance for one of the great upsets in history slipped through their fingers.
 With. the six-play plan in effect ii would not be necessary to NSaf- fer a penalty by stopping the clock Navy gave up five pre- cious yards to do that and would have sacrificed five more had Earl been able to report. because it had already taken four times out. It wouldn't be necessary to throw an intentional incomplete pass to stop the clock. thereby losing a down.
 There is the other side of it. 100. A team in front in the dying seconds resorts to every clock killing device the limit in the huddle. slow unpiling. etc.
 Under the six-piay plan. that side would be forced to make a first down in four cracks or yield the ball for two final shots by a des- perate rival. Penalties for too much time in the hudcle. etc. would be paced off just as now.
 There are not enough actual plays run of in a game, anyway and another play or two. if ii worked out that way. would throw tinder on the fireworks when teams came down to the wire as close as did the inspired middies and the young men O. the Hudson highlands. the latter fighting with their backs to the wall to protect a three-year un- beaten skein-
 A writer of fiction would have been accused of letting his inlag- ination romp away with him had he portrayed precisely what tram spired. in the second half. and il was a pity to have had such q grand performance and show sul- lied in the slightest by confusion and dissatisfaction.
 The proposed six-play plan will never have a greater recommend ation than the finish of the l94t Arny-Nayy game.