The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-14
BLUES TO CONTEST WHITES.
Basket Rail- at the y. VI. c. A. Gym
nasium Tonight.

nastum Tonight.
Among the many forms of amusement
semi-athletic in nature, that have flour
ished in Savannah, few are so beneficial
70 players and, when properly played, so
interesting to spectators as basket bali.
OF comparative recent origin the game
was invented in 1891 It has steadily In
creased in popularity until now it is known
throughout the United States, and still
1t grows at the rate of 80 per cent. year.
The game was introduced in the Sa-
vannah Y. NJ c. A. about four years ago,
and was received into immediate favor by
the members, but. owing 10 the greater
popularity of indoor baseball remained
comparatively unknown outside of the
gymnasium until quite recently. Now,
however, that there is a revived interest
in the sport a few words regarding the
game and its rules may not be amiss. 1t
was invented to meet a definite end, that
of developing prOportonately all the mus
Giles of the body, and a the same time
eliminate the monotony that so often &C
companies routine work of any kind. 1t
was also intended TO educate the eye and
develop rapidly of decision as well as of
movement. How well It fuldls these in
tentions one has only to see the game to
know. 1t is PLAYED by two teams. each
according to the spac" of play
The only apparatus necessary Is two
baskets, from which the game takes its
name, and an inflated rubber bali, leather
covered from thirty to thirty-two inches
in circumference
The two baskets placed at opposite ends
of the hall about ten feet from the floor
constitute the goals. \ goal is scored
when the bal is thrown into the basket.
The positions of the players are as fol
lows: Center, right forward, left for
ward, right guard and left guard. The
forwards play near their goal one on each
side, their object being to put the ball
into the basket; the guards play one on
each side of the opposite basket not only
10 prevent their opponents from scoring
but also to drive or pass the ball to the
forwards on their own side. The CEN
ter as his name indicates, stands near
the middle of the floor until the bali Is
put into play, after which he is a sort of
free lance, playing where he is most
needed or opposing teams the two CEN
ters face each other, the right guard Of
one team opposes the left forward of the
other, the left guard the right forward,
etc. The bali is put into play by the UNI
pire who losses 1t up between the two
centers, each of whom tries to drive it to-
ward his forward by slapping it as it
comes down. or, should either be able to
grasp it he throws for goal without any
preliminary passing.
No running with the ball IS allowed;
that, as wen as hugging or kicking the
ball, or intentional rough play, consti-
lutes a foul which gives the opposing
team the right to try for goal from the
open field without interference.
A goal made from such counts one point;
while scored during defensive play 1t
counts two points
The Y. NJ. c. A. here boasts a number
of excellent players. who, under the cub
names of Blues and Whites, play match
games nearly every Monday night
At present and while the hot weather
lasts there are but two teams. but Secre-
tary Johnson expects to have three in the
field by Oct. 1, and will then arrange a
series of games lasting from October to De
cember and possibly second series begin
ming after the Christmas holidays.
So far this summer the Blues have prov
ed inVincible but they have not been al
lowed TO hold this position without several
struggles The Whites will play them to
night and as it is an unusually strong team
the game may prove a Waterloo to the
Blues.
The teams will line up as follows:
Blues. Positions. Whites.
Doty, Wylly ..,... center ........... Roberds
Lowell .......... left guard ......... Johnson
Harden ........ right guard ............ Hunt
Doty, Willie &c. left forward ...... RightOn
Courvoisier =. right forward 500. Carreilas