Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-14
THE LIFE OF ATHLETIC GAMES.

1t is barely possible that the indication
is not one that points to any particular
modification of the laws of our civilizing
drift, but it cannot have escaped the pub
lie thought that great deal more of at
tention is given by the pubic press to the
contests in the national game of baseball
than its relative importance to the other
activities of life justify. Yesterday, for
instance, the columns of cur San Francisco
contemperaries-or most of them-were
occupied with more local and Geographic
matter concerning the ball contests in vari-
ious parts Of the country, than was devoted
to any one OF two other distinct leading
subjects occupying public attention, While
the athletic games Of people should bear
due relation to their other entertain
ments, or, let US say amusements, and in
proper limits are TO be commended, there
can be no doubt in the minds of those who
read history to any purpose whatever, and
take careful note Of the growth and
changes of the public taste in such matters,
that the game that now enjoys so
much of attention has it in undue
proportion and that this threatens its per-
manency. If ii is to remain the national
game, as does cricket in England, it must
presently become more conservative in its
demands upon public attention. The
American people are criticised abroad as
given to "crazes" in such matters. Pedes-
trianism, skating, rowing, etc, at times
have been precisely as prominent, but each,
because Of the feverishness of that promi-
nence. presently declined. 1t requires no
severe exercise of memory to recall when
the skating-r;nk was quite as much in
popular favor as is the diamond field to-
day, and no village in the land was too
poor to do it honor, but it was overdone
and met its fate. The collegiate rowing
contests are in a rapid decline along with
others, and two or three Of the foremost
colleges and universities have abandoned
them on the ground that they do not ben
eft all the students, but very small num-
Der who train for contests only to be wit
messed by others. 1t will be interesting to
note how much stronger a hold baseball,
as now played, will prove to have upon
popular favor than its predecessors. The
present indications are of greater perma-
nency for it, as it is an atheletic exercise
engaging larger numbers, and as the con-
tests may be witnessed by very
many more of the people. But
whoever has noted carefully in historical
reading the rise and drift and decline of
various forms of athletics, must be con-
WINGED that the attention the American
national game now commands is abnormal
and feverish, and if it so continues much
longer will certainly enter upon a reac-
tionary stage. The advent of this stage in
the history of the game will be hastened
just in proportion as the mere exhibition
character of it augments, and precisely in
proportion as the speculative and mer-
cenary spirit fastens upon it. 1t is one thing
to engage a people in athletic contests and
another and very different one when the
CONTESTANTS are simply hired to amuse the
people.
The conservatism of the friends of the
American sport should move them to re.
strain the disposition to make its contests
an absorbing topic, and to move it over
wholly into the field of speculation. I'm
less this is done, while its vitality is
greater than most previous public athletic
games and contests, it will certainly fall
into decline that will leave it upon the
plane Of mere exhibition for hire. and en-
joying but small share of public favor, for
no amusement of people ever yet made
such demands upon public thought and
attention as the American game now
does and enjoyed permanency. This is
verdict of history that is simply unde-
niable. 1t remains to be seen if it is to
apply to the American national sport.