The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-16
GOSSIP OF THE GRIDIRON. SIX, STORIES OF

| even the mild lady and the philosophical
I professor need only to be assured that all
| savager has been eliminated from the play
and that the object Of the personal encoun-
tiers taking place on the field is not to do
bodily injury TO opponents. but to accom-
| ger nor ilI-will-they need this assurance
only to make them look on at bloody and
| tons OF conscience. There is another rea-
son. however, which comes to the rescue
| of our self-respect-
| physical game of those INDUCED In by col
4, leges. 1t is a game which gives uniimited
| tain and players before the contest beg ms.
When Gnce the fight is on, the opportunity
for headwork is increased rather than d.
minishei. The attack and defense are
planned and preparsa with care before The
struggle. They must be varied during its
progress TO meet unexpected conditions.
But some readers will say that football Is
a slow game. and, although il does attract
| more spectators than lacrosse or cricket or
for such disproportionate interest. l hear
II argued that lacrosse or even association
football, with their continuous activity.
ought TO be more interesting than Rugby
football, in which play never continues more
than a few seconds at a time, and in which
The DELAYS clay . are If sS sn ana sR Rrot ns0n,s feel !
this apparently unreasona BILE interest.
INTERVALS INCREASE INTEREST.
The explanation lies in the slowness.
which would seem. at first thought. to be a
cause for disgust. II. however, a game OF
lacrosse We're stopped every few seconds.
such cessation of play would not increase
its interest. Quite the reverse. In football
the stops are taken in order that the next
play may be chosen and indicated to the
team by that player who is acting as cap
tain. The spectator may and usually does
employ that moment OF time to do a little
captaining on MS own account. He may tell
his neighDor what he would have done ana
what he would do If only he were running
the team. Thus the gaps in play are a
source of satisfaction TO the spectators.
| r-Ia-a ara fhraa uayG NJ or Moving rhe inter-
walls between plays, corresponding TO the
three distinct classes of onlookers:
First. there are those who really care
| little for the game itself. When the bali is
down or a player hurt. they can talk. un-
disturbed. about the dresses. hats, etc. and
game and What players they know and
| what other games they have seen: and what
ones the:- must see or they really will die.
Second. there are those who enjoy the
game. but are modest about their own
are always jealous partisans of one side or
the other. They seize the opportunity, IN
lulls of the battle. TO ask explanation from
others as to why this was done and how
the bali was lost. and what is a touch
back. and who is the umpire. and what is
! the score. and do you think Chicago can
win?
MINORITY KNOWS THE GAME.
Third. there are the large minority. who
are heart and soul in the game. They are
always ready to answer any .,, q1 nest ds.
light and groan in despair. They And the
moments between plays a source Of intense
pleasure. They then decide what the next
play should be. and explain why TO any
spectator who will listen. If the play used
is what they advised they are jubiiant ard
| modestly boastful. II a play which they
have declared should not be used ie tried
ard falls, they find great pleasure In L told
you So"
Briefly. then. the pauses in Rugby are a
cause Of rather than a detriment to inter-
est. chiefly because they are a definite part
of the game. and the spectators know that
these pauses are being used to provide for
taking the next step in the game with pre-
knowledge, and because the onlookers thus
have a chance to guess what play will be
used next. and. after II has been taken. TO
praise or blame the captains In
no other game is this continually true.
Hence. we believe that this opportunity for
mental activity Is a large factor In making
football the most popular OF athletic
sports"