St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-01-25
BASKET BALL.

BASkE ET BALL.
Those who were interested in the
basket ball games played last winter
will be pleased to learn that the town
and school boys are to have one more
battle for the supremacy. A word
about the game which has become so
popular in the past few years will
be interesting to those who enjoy
good honest sport.
Basket ball was invented in 1889 by
James Naismith, teacher in the interna-
tional training school, Springfield. Dur
ing tsfirst season it was not particularly
popular but has gained in favor and may
now be called quite as important sport in
the Y NJ. c. A. world as football and
baseball but it is essentially an indoor
game and the interest that is excited in
an exercise confined to the gymnasium
can perhaps never equal the zest which is
thrown into game like football, played
under the blue Of heaven, in the fresh out
door atmosphere and sun srays that seem
to penetrate the muscles of the athlete
and impart added vivacity. However,
at the season when football bruises have
long ago healed and conquests on the
gridiron are matters for rumination, ne
who sighs for the pigskin can find much
satisfaction in basket ball. it possessing
all the elements of football but, If rules
are enforced, lacking the excessive rough
ness. The ball used is perfectly round
made of rubber bladder, covered with
leather and is about foot in diameter
Briefly outlined the game according to
fficiarulesfor 1895, is played as follows:
Baskets especially constructed for the
purpose, are placed in a vertical position
with the mouth ten feet from the ground,
one at each end of the field Gymnasium,
occupying much the same position in re-
lation to the players as do football goals.
The competitive teams take positions on
the field as in football, save that there is
no lineup. The teams are composed of
five men when the playing space is less
than 1900 square feet, seven when it is
more than 1900 and less than 5000 and
nine men when over 5000. The referee,
with player from each side, takes posi-
tion in the center. He puts the ball in
play by throwing it up. Which side has
first ball depends on which center man
secures it. The ball is not kicked or
struck with the fists but thrown or batted
with the fiat of the hand and the object
is, to get it into the basket, doing which
scores a goal. On the number of goals
secured depends the victory. The net
work of rules which govern the action OF
the game is quite as elaborate as football
and will not be given here. Suffice it to
say that spectators easily comprehend
its action. The putting of a ball into the
basket may seem very easy thing to dc
but as matter of fact it is very Difficult,
5 to accomplish with the floor empty and
OF course, much more so when two team.
are at strife. One of the rules says thai
the ball shall always be kept in motion.
.. Two twenty-minute halves are played
with a rest of ten minutes between tht
! halves. This is the time of actual play.
t Each side has itscaptain while position
is the same as in baseball. The referee il
judge of the ball. He is the superior off
Ger of the game and decides all questions
not definitely falling on the umpire TIL,
umpire is judge of the men, calls all fouls
notifies the offenders and has power t.
e disqualify men.
The game which was to be played
=, on Thursday evening of this week ha,
:. IL been postponed until Saturday even
ing. The two teams have been prac
r tising faithfully and will be able t.
r play very interesting game. 1t i
i hoped that the public will turn ou
i and encourage the eymnasts, as al
o the proceeds over and above the ex
{ penses are to 60 towards much need
!, l. ed new apparatus for the gymnasium