The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-13
Basketball for Girls.

What sport this IS! My, but basket
ball must be fun" That is the invariable
comment OF the stranger who watches a
game OF basketball between girls. for
the first time. She can see one at almost
any college she happens to visk, from
Massachusetts TO California, where there
are enough girls to make up a team, for
basketball Is enjoying unpreceded pop
ularity The general effect Is always the
same: an audience with enthusiasm for
the teams divided on class lines, carry
ing flowers, and flags. and banners. sing
ing energetic songs, and cheering lusty
cheers; In the midst of IL, the hurrying,
shifting kaleidoscope of players, fighting
for victory and the honor OF the class.
IL is fun. That is one reason why the
game leaped into favor so quickly all
over the country. But any one OF the
whirling, twisting, running. painting play
ers who loses her sense of self. time and
space. In the concentrated determination
10 possess that great swift elusive ball
and send IL home, can tell the visitor that
fun Is not all IL means steady, hard
work for long preliminary months, hours
of practice In the gymnasium or on the
field before ones strength and brea tn
will last through the rapid halves of a
match game. 1t means that the players
give up candy and sweets while they are
training, and go to bed early. when they
long 10 sit up late for jolly party, and
do great many other things that they
don't wish 10 do. because they are on the
team, and win they must, and win they
can't unless every unit is In condition TO
do her level best. But even the losers
in well-fought game do not g.udge the
preparatory work, and to a member OF
the winning team, listening TO the toasts
at the supper .afterward. thrilling with
the thought that she has helped to win
the victory for her class, past sacrifices
dwindle to a mere nothing.
When the athletic director OF n college
thinks OF the benefits OF basketball. how
ever. the dramatic recognition OF merit
which the match game gives. so over
whelmingly important in the college girl =
mind, seems TO her the least OF its bless
ings. She thinks OF the physical improve
ment In the players. the brighter eyes
and quicker circulation. the endurance
they show the coordination OF muscles
that playing has taught them, the agility
and deftness with which they manage
their physical machinery. II she Is
good director. she sees the mental gain
as well behind all these things. Control
of the physical means first well-be-
haved. obedient nervous system, as re-
sponsive To the will of It's owner as she
herself TO the signal Of her captain. Quick
playing. too means quick thinking. an
instructive dash 10 meet the ball. fight
ing calculation and balancing Of results
as one leaps 10 catch IL and sends " flying
To a waiting ally. IL must not 20 wrong.
A slip might cost the game. Brain and
hand must act as one. Not "A second my
the mind halt between two opinions. Such
sell-control and a judgment So automau-
cally correct are worth the price OF many
strenuous half hours. and once attained
they are not confined TO the crises OF
basketball game
But there is still another benefit OF the
game. kind OF sugar-coated psyche
logical discipline, which critics of women,
rightly or wrongly, say rhat she needs
most Of all for her own happiness and
best development The effect II .he Gis-
cipline is apparent. when ed n slayer
finds a comrade always at the exact spot
where she can help her, ana the ball
goes from one ally to another with clock
like regularity. Magnificent team work
is the name the spectators give It, Eut
more than this. IL indicates that the
players have learned how 10 be part OF
the whole They are working for the
team, not for themselves. They are
willing to take the position of cog. 10
sacrifice the brilliant play and individual
distinction. TO win the game.-Alice *.
Fallows in Good Housekeeping.