St. Paul daily globe., 1895-12-16
play BASKET BALh
GEAGUE FORMED BY STUDENTS
OF THE TWIN CITY INSTI-
s. TUTIONS
E0R A SERIES OF GAMES.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPORT.
WHICH is EXCITING AND
AMUSING.
For A SERIES OF GAMES.
kOMETHiNG LIKE FOOTBALL.
HnmIine, MacaIester.. the Univer-
sity. aiinnesOtu Athletic Club,
90. 4 and Y. Vi. {. 4.

Prominent among the games which
are taking Il decided hOld upon the
patrons of amateur athletics this
winter is the sport designated as
'basket ball" Introduced in Spring.
field, Mass, but two years ago, the
game has rapidly proven its adapta-
Dility as Il means of indoor eXer-
else and amusement, having since
been quite extensively played in
This country, and finding its way into
the gymnasiums of France and Au-
stralia During the present season
the people of St Paul will have an
opportunity of Witnessing this quite
exciting and amusing game-for,
aside from its scientific features,
conditions and circumstances often
arise during the progress of a game
which are very laughable to the spec
tator \ basket ball league has been
formed during the past week among
the colleges and athletic associations
of the Twin Cities, including Macal-
ester college. Hamline university,
state university, Minnesota Athletic
Club. Company A and the Mime
apOliS y. NJ. c. A 1t is the purpose
of the league to arrange a series of
games which will extend through the
winter. and thus with the arrival of
spring. leave the members of the
teams in excellent physical condition
for the opening of the base ball sea-
son.
The increasing popularity of the
game is largely due to its adaptable
ity to all classes; nor it is necessary
that it should be played indoors. In
fact. the open field, affording as it
does more ground and larger facil-
itieS, but adds to the interest of
the game 1t has been found pecu-
1iarly adapted to business and pro-
fesSiOnal men, as it is interesting and
may be played by men Of any size
and in any condition of training. 1t
has also been found valuable for
girls and women, as there are few
games which they can play that
are not strain on the nervous sys-
tem rather than on the bodily func
fions. 1t is peculiarly adapted for
giving health without involving a
severe mental strain.
The game is generally played in
doors, with five or nine men on each
side. At each end of the hall or
room is suspended about ten feet
above the floor, a basket about the
size of an ordinary waste paper bas-
ket In brief. the object is to get
the balI-which is the regulation as
sociation fOOtball-into these baskets.
The men are stationed in different
positions, which they may change
as often as they like, but the rough
element is eliminated from the game
10y rules prohibiting kicking"
'holding' or striking" with the fist.
AT the beginning of "a game the ref
cree tOsses the ball into the air be-
tween the two "centers." From this
time until a goal has been secured
the scene of a game of basket ball
Is one continuous activity. The ball
must not be carried, but thrown or
passed from one place to another.
Interference of any kind with the
ball is legitimate, but under no cir
cumstances must played obstruct
Or lay hands on the person of his op-
ponent. Thus it is that there are
few accidents connected with the
game, all interest being centered on
the ball and not on the players.
The object of a player is whenever
his own side has possession of the ball
TO gain an uncovered position so that
one of his side may pass it to him. On
the other hand, his opponent should see
that he does not gain this favorable
position. 1t is at this point that head
work and the ability to do a certain
thing without letting his opponent
know what he is about to do are valu-
BILE. Indiv.d dual play does not count fol
much. for very often a man has tC
sacrifice his own chance of making q
goal that he may be sure of it from the
hands of another. In the gymnasium
the gall, as rule, should not be passed
swiftly in straight line, but should be
tossed lightly so that the one who re
ceives it shall lose no time in passing
it to another or throwing it for a'goal
But on the field, where long passes
may be made, the straight throw ma!
he used to advantage.
OF course, any number Of men cal
play when sport is the object and yer!
often the more men the more fun, bu
when a match game is to be played i
is necessary to have definite numbe
of men on the floor; for a small gym
c-i0
team, while for a large gymnasium
nine men may be put on the floor.
A man does not need to keep strictl,
to his o'vn place, but should always b
.1n his own part of the grounds.
To play q game, divide the men int
two teams. hang basket at each en-
of the room, let each side defend one o
these goals while endeavoring to pu
the bail into that of their opponents.
The positions of the players are
poelkeeper. left forward, right forward
center left back, right back and hom
oh the objective goal. When fun an
recreation are desired, as many me
as please may play, and they may b
distributed according to the captain
own idea. but the best pan is to divid
the men into three classes, forward
occupying the third of the groun
nearest the opponents goal; cente
men occupying the middle third; back
occupying the defensive third of til
ground.
To be thoroughly proficient in tn
game the men should be able to fl
every position, as it is intended to
an al-round sport, and though eac
position entails plenty of hard worl
each man is the better qualified piaye
if he be able to fill any of them.