3

season starts, all the officials should meet to go over general rules and learn
local ground rules and modifications to be used. After this meeting, a copy of
the rules should be available so that contestants will be familiar with them.
Usually intramural participants are good sports; however, in the older groups,
rivalry sometimes becomes very keen and may even be a reflection of the insti-
tution's attitude. In a school where the varsity coach shakes his fist at the
officials, his players may have the same mind set. This will be reflected in the
crowd which will boo at the officials. With proper training in attitudes from
the elementary school through the university, the difficulties of officials can
be very much reduced resulting in more enjoyment by the participants, officials,
and spectators. Probably the most desirable method of selection of officials is
by practical and written tests. By having funds available to pay officials a
small wage, better qualified officials can be obtained. In the conduct of any
activity, the official should have the final say and everyone concerned should
understand that he is in charge of the contests. A Board of Review or Supreme
Court can be organized to handle protests, forfeits, etc. The appeal should go
through regular channels. No appeals should be possible on an umpire's judgment;
for example, whether a certain pitched ball was a strike. Appeals should be pos-
sible only on rule interpretations such as the local ground rule, use of in-
eligible players, etc.

When Shall Contests be Played?

Now that teams are classified, the schedules drawn, good equipment and good
officials chosen, and a place to play in safely provided, when shall we play?
Probably the best time for contests is after school, but this depends largely upon
the activity and the age of the children. The elementary school children are not
encouraged to spend their after school hours about the buildings. They could well
play some games during the regular recess periods and before school begins. The
junior high school children can play after school. Some high schools have opened
their gymnasiums in the evening for scheduled contests. Some schools schedule
contests Saturday morning. In case of golf, where it is impossible to play near
the building, the Saturday schedules have to be followed.. In some senior high
schools many of the contests are scheduled for the hour preceding the start of
school in the morning. If students want to play badly enough to get to school an
hour early, they should have a more convenient and hygienic schedule. The noon-
hour program has been adopted by many schools as a solution to two problems: first,
a free time in which to schedule intramural competition, and second, protection of
the school and its equipment from noon hour lunchers. It seems best to have quiet
games or activities not involving strenuous physical effort immediately after
eating. Some schools have social dancing in the gymnasium during the noon hour.
The speed of "Jitterbug" dancing, makes me wonder if this activity should not be
classified with the two mile run, something too violent for a full stomach.

It was found, in a large city school, that as many as sixty-five percent of
the students in boys! physical education classes were unable to participate in
intramural athletics after school or on Saturdays, because of various kinds of
outside work such as throwing papers, drug store delivery, and work in grocery
stores. For this group, the daily physical education class should allow time for
the actual playing of contests in addition to its teaching of sports fundamentals.
Some of our most alert teachers feel that there should be more overlapping of re-
quired work and intramurals -- more play in required, some teaching in intramurals.

Of all the times available -- the noon hour, before school in the morning,
evenings, Saturdays, and after school -- the period after school may be considered
best, although it is possible that the other times may have to fit in many local
situations.