Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-28
ACADEMIC GOSSIP
ny RED PERKINS

Most important news to lovers of ath-
letes in this part of the country is the
story that has been whispered about
very widely during the past week or
two THAI beginning with the fall term
in the public schools of the city it has
been decided to do away with the girls
indoor baseball and substitute regu-
lar program of light track and field
athletics, such as Is usually run off AT
q track and field meeting.
A feeling has been growing steadily
among those having the welfare of the
girl students at heart that indoor base
ball is a little too strenuous for the fair
sex, and that although some athletic
exercises and even competitive events
would prove beneficial baseball should
be abandoned to make way for indi-
vidual athletic events. so each student
could train for whichever event her
physical condition is best adapted.
There is, of course, much pro and con
to be said on this subject, yet 1t is an
undoubted fact that to some baseball
calling as it does for rapid action al
times, followed by sudden stops-run-
ming the bases, for instance-has been
found to be detrimental to the physical
condition of even trained athletes in
certain cases, particularly where the
vital organs are not properly devel-
oped; while in track athletics the
training is more thorough and gradual
and more calculated to bring about a
thorough conditioning of the lungs and
the heart.
The school that in all probability will
take up this branch of outdoor athletics
are the Los Angeles, Polytechnic, Long
Beach, Compton and the Santa Monica
high schools. Clubs have been organ
lied in some of the schools, and from
the interest taken by the fair sex 1t rs
said that the new exercise will become
a regular fad in the girls department
next season.
It was stated last Saturday that
Coach Franklin of the girls basketball
team of Los Angeles high school Will
have charge of the boys baseball nine
and that Miss Rogers, who has been In
charge of the girls physical training
department, will have charge of the
girls basketball squad also.
One young woman athiete' IN speak
ing of the new sport the other day.
said: eff the track team is organized
we will develop strong material for the
various events, such as the 5O-yard
dash, broad jump and relay teams. AT
the present time Los Angeles high
school has several speedy atnletes
among the girls connected with athlet-
les in all branches. only wish that
will be compulsory for every high
school in Southern California to meet
other teams in annual track and held
meets
The old intercollegiate may be 9
thing of the past among the mgr
school students next season, as sew
eral of the faculty, including Dr. Il. Z
Moore of the board of education, are
in favor of Rugby or Association foot
ball, such as is played in the grammar
schools of Los Angeles. This does no,
mean that the young American cannon
play his favorite game out of school
but in no sense organize team TO rep
resent the schools with which they are
connected. Rugby has been played by
Polytechnic during the past few years
and through the able coaching or ROD
ert A. Thompson. formerly of Stanford
a winning Southern California cham
pionship aggregation has been devel,
oped. 1t defeated some of the fastes'
Rugby teams in the south, including
Redlands, Pomona and Santa Barbara
high schools.