Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-12-08
ASKET BALL FOR WINTER AMUSEMENT
hIetic Diversion Strikes Twin Cities Like
/ Tidal Wave. Game at Opera House.

Tidal Wave. Game at Opera House.
Basket ball was invented in the win
,r of 1912, probably in December,
691, bv DIR James Naismith, teacher
ii the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton training school at Springfield, Mass.
country and certainly an innovation in
athletic circles of the twin cities. Since
basket ball was originated 1t has grown
in general public interest and has
participant and spectator, that TODAY
scarce a gymnasium or an armory,
bankers association, insurance club or
club of any occupation can be found in
the larger cities that does. not maintain
one or more baske ball teams for recre
ative enjoyment. The marvellous spread
of the game proves its attractlveness
and usefulness as physical educator.
II stands ahead Of football and is pre-
eminentlv the popular thing for winter
pastime. Its best feature is that it can be
PLAYED alike by business man or school
girl.
Less than two weeks ago basket ball
was introduced in the Howe high school
athletic association by Prof. P. l.. Pease,
who received his training in the game
at Stevens Point normal school. Now
more than dozen teams have been
organized on the two sides of the river,
the audience room of Grand Opera
House has been transformed into basket
ball grounds, and every night and after
school hours the big building presents
an animated practice picture. The
game is on full force and will certainly
find warm enthusiasts among twin city
folks as soon as they come to under
stand its simple rules.
The conditions of play are such that
it is faster than football, fashioned some
what like it, hut with none of It's reputed
ronghness or chances for injury. Two
baskets, hammock nets of cord sus-
pended from metal rings Is inches I'D
diameter, are supported ..ne at each
end of the room ten feet above ground.
These baskets are the goals and ace 70
feet apart. The ball is round and about
IA inches in diameter, nearly as large as
the opening in the baskets. Points are
made by throwing the ball into the bas-
kets, a trick not as easy as it looks. In
order to eliminate roughness the person
holding the ball is not allowed to hug 1t
or hold il with any part of himself ex-
capt the hands; he cannot kick the ball
or run with it, but must roll it or throw
it to another from the place in which it
was caught. There is no lining up, no
tackling, holding, tripping, striking or
shouldering. Swift passing, alertness
not weight is the essential. To get the
ball from an opponent bat it out of his
hands or catch it when thrown in the
air. There is no stop 10 a contest when
started except when the referee calls
time of half. The ball s always in
sight and all over the field in a minute,
with ten men skirmishing after it. A
:eam includes FIVE persons. See the
first game tonight at opera honse, doors
open at 1880. Two contests between
girl teams will occur. Here are the
teams:
FIRST GAME, EIGHTH GRADE, DOUBLE TEAM.
Mamie Gray, Captain, Bell Quinn Captain,
Eva DemaTais, Rosa Wipperman,
Mamie Bouham, Leta Courtney,
Mabel Podawiltz, Katie Corcoran,
Flora Compton, Iibbie Timian.
Colors, white
SECOND GAME, HIGH SCHOOL.
Ethel Kelly, Captain, Arvlla Demarais. Capt.
Eflie Goggins, Nellie Ward,
Matilda Bunge, Bessie Huntington.
Grace Huntington, Pansy Parrish,
Louisa Podawiltz Mamie Daily.
Colors,
Scarlet and White. Yellow