Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-10-05
PART /.
BY JOHN B. FOSTER.

BY JOHN b. FOSIEh.
Twinges of frost in the air, sharpness
TO the wind that was dulled when the
August sun beat in hot waves upon the
earth and certain briskness In the atmos-
phere are forerunners of the football sea-
son.
Barely will bats and balls have been laid
aside, together with flannel uniforms and
thickiy padded gloves, when the Jerseys
and the moleskins, which make up the
more modern football costume, will have
been donned and youthful , as Sa,n for
daily toll practising punting and falling
on the ball In the most convenient lot that
is covered with 3 velvetv surface Of turf.
More football Is regularly scheduled to
be played this year than the United States
ever saw. Localities where the game has
been popular will be treated to more of 1t
than they have seen In the past. and lo-
calities where football has been little
played or has never been PLAYED will have
opportunity to see 1t this wear,
Looking over an extended schedule
which contains far more contests than the
important events which are to be played by
the larger universities and the preparatory
that football is surely twenty per cent
stronger this season by reason OF its
greater abundance.
Schools which never have tried tfs,
game before will enter into It In small
way. Schools which have tried it as an ex-
pertinent will proceed on the same lines as
which they began Proba bly, they will be
better off than they were last wear. Sec
lions where football has been slow of
growth are curious to know something of
the snort. and the increase of games IN the
Middle West and South Is very. marked,
Popularity Incrsases ", sorth.
As the South has shown greater In
clination to take part In all kinds of sports
which interest the American public 1t Is
not strange that football should demand
attention. and Judging by the criticism
which has been passed on the game. and
by the laudation which It has received In
pc sport which win command a very
large clientele. 1t Is game with elements
Which appeal to the Southern nature.
70 perform personal feaats of daring and
skill are many, and to the athlete who
ca can .e excel IN running and blocking there i
under suitable coaching-to delight
friends OF the participants in the game.
Ia this connection attention is called t.
schools which are likely to take u up Il,
sport OF their own accord, not to attemp
to Play without neasurs Of thorough in
Mich Inch BARN + done by making efer
mstntssry principles, Where players hay'
boys in which the stronger is likely to 81
SHS SuTNlvOI.f IndC Is not the aim OF IOOt
ball. It Is a scientific outdoor game
which. without proper guidance, is as bac
as baseball would be If there were mo-
the. manner In which they should go, ant
instruct them wisely SO that their enjoy
ment shall be the keener.
Wherever 1t is possible boys Of tender
age should be given thorough physica
examination before thcv are permitted tt
undertake the game. Too young boys
should not be permitted to play 1
under any circumstances, and no boy Will
an organic affection of any part of the
system should be allowed on sthe football
field. The pastime Is for the strong anf
not for the weak
Football In 1908 Disappointing.
Speaking purely from the standpoint %
the fastidious varsity critic. the STANDARD
Of football as played by the more i'm
portant elevens in 1908 was hardly of til.
type that had been desired.
No little dissatisfaction was expressed
after the season was finally completed
< that the stronger teams had not mad,
more of the game. Even those who do nc
pretend to have thorough knowledge o
the intricacies of the sport, and who hay,
not read its rules and laws with tn,
studiousness of a COACH whose future de
ponds upon his ability to teach. quite FIRE
quently expressed themselves both tlurint
the season and after its completion as Il
their regret that the games had not beef
more keenly exciting.
That this was due to overcaution an,
too much defensive play on the part O