The Washington times., 1909-11-27
BASKETBALL HAS
BRIGHT PROSPECT
7 hree Well Organized
Leagues Are Anticipated
BY Promoters.

The prospects OF basketball gaining a
firm footing in the local sporting realm
are more promising than ever this sea-
son.
To date but a single league has been
formed, Glass a Of the Washington Ct y
organization, which has just completed
its second week Of play. Plans are on
foot to form leagues and the next month
should see at least three strongly for
titled organizations in line.
The Military League viii be the only
one Of the veteran organizations that
will not be reorganizod. The league was
formed only as an experiment last sea-
son and careful scrutiny on the part of
the officials proved the individuality
Of allowing existing conditions to con-
tinue. 1t was discovered that basket
ball WORK among the various military
companies detracJed from interest in
drill work and at the same time drew
into the ranks men whose one object
was to play basketball Fearing this
would ultimately seriously affect the
strict system Of discipline governing the
companies, the authorities decided to
discontinue the games.
Stars Are Barred.
This will not deprive members Of the
companies and followers of military
athletics Of the sport. on the contrary
a league will be formed to take the
place Of the defunct organization, &C
cording to plans formulated at meet
ing Of representatives Of the comp. MES
Of the District National Guards If tne
National Guard Armory, Friday even
ing. This league will be composed ex-
clusively Of inexperienced players. No
stars" will be allowed to join the
teams. this class including all players
who have played on teams I'm or out
side Of the District In past years. The
main purpose in forming this league is
to increase the interest in gymnasium
practice among the gUardsmen and at
the same time develop material which
might be used in the event OF the for
nation at some future time. OF a team
to represent the athletic association Of
the District National Guards in compe-
tition with military organizations Of
other cities Although there is no I'M
mediate call Tor such games, they have
been discussed and next year will prob
ably see the organization OF an Inter
city Military League.
The Washington City League is com
posed Of four fast teams. representing
the Central Y. NJ G A, the southeast
branch, the Fort Myer y. NJ. G. a,
and the Carroll Institute.
Within the next month class of
the Washington City League will be
formed. The main obstacle In the for
nation Of this league Is The large num-
Der or applications for places on the
team roster. The authorities are de-
sirCus of making the circuit of not
more than four clubs, and applications
have been received from at least eight
-Four Of the most evenly matched
teams VIII be picked.
Schools Are Interested.
Whether the District high scnoe5 aid
prep school authorities VIII allow the
formation Of a league is yet uncertain
For the past FIVE years students at the
various educational institutions have
cxerted every effort to induce the au-
thorities to encourage the sport and
sanction the formation Of a league
The pleadings win be pressed more
than ever this season, in view Of the
fact that a halt has been called on
football II successful the majority Of
the schools will support independent
guints.
ALREADY teams have been formed at
many Of the schools, including the
Georgetown Preparatory, " estern, and
Business High, Friends, University, and
Washington School, and within the
next few weeks the us. viii be in
creased with the addition or repre-
se0ratfves OF Technical. and Eastern
High and probably GOnzaGa College.
OF the colleges Georgetown Is the
only school that will be represented In
basketball The sport has been abol-
ished al George Washington. and the
Catholic university authorities have
never encouraged II. The Georgetown
team Is one Of the strongest that ever
represented the college, and rs hopeful
Of landing the intercollegiate champion
shin title During the season followers
Of the sport here Will be afforded
chance Of seeing a majority Of the
Northern college stars I'm action.
ATTN iInCMQTC