The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-02
az john q. Fostsr.

Twinges of frost In the air, a sharpness
to the wind that was dulled when the
August sun beat In hot waves upon the
earth and a certain briskness In the at
mosphere are forerunners OF the football
season.
Barely will bats and balls have been laid
aside, together with flannel uhlforms and
thickly padded gloves, when the jerseys
and the n1oleskins, which make up the
more modern football costume, will have
been d6nned, ana youthful aspirants for
national or local favor will begin their
daily toll practicing punting and falling
on the ball In the most convenient lot that
Is covered with a velvety surface Of turf
More football IL 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 To-
calities where football has been little
played or has never been played will have
opportunity to see 1t this year.
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 prepare
tory schools, 1t is the impression of the
writer that football Is surely twenty per
cent stronger this season by reason OF Its
greater abundance.
before will enter into 1t In small
way. Schools which have tried 1t as an ex-
pertinent will proceed on the same lines as
which they began. Probably they will be
better OF than they were last year Sec
lions where football has been slow Of
growth are curious to know something or
the sport and the increase of games In the
middle west and south is very marked.
Popularity increases in South,
AS the south has grown a greater In
sports which interest the American public
1t IN not strange that football should de-
mand attention, and judging by the criti-
cism which has been passed on the game,
and by the laudation which 1t has received
In most quarters OF the south, it promises
to be sport which will command very
large clientele. 1t is game with elements
which appeal to the southern nature.
It's strategy Is alluring, it's opportunities
to perform personal feats of daring and
skill are many. and to the athlete who
can excel in running and blocking there is
no end to the possibilities which 1t affords
under suitable coaching-to delight the
friends OF the participants in the game.
In this connection attention is called to
beginners particularly to the younger
schools, which are likely to take up the
sport of their own accord, not to attempt
. pay without e measure OF 9epESn
Much harm is done by making an enort
co play football without knowing Its Tudi-
nlentary principles. Where players have
not been schooled in the game they are
inclined to accept 1t as a contest between
boys In which the stronger is Likely 70 De
the survivor. That is not the aim OF foot
ball 1t Is a scientific outdoor game,
which. without proper guidance, Is as bad
al baseball would be il there were not
elder brothers to bring up the younger III
the manner in which they should go, and
instruct them wisely so that their enjoy
ment shall be the keener.
Wherever 1t is possible boys OF tender
age should be given a thorough physicaI
examination before they are permitted to
undertake the game. Too young boys
should not be permitted to play It under
any circumstances, and no boy with an
organic affection of any part Of the system
should Be allowed on the football field
the weak.
Football in 1908 Disappointing.
Speaking purely from the standpoint OF
the fastidaous varsity critic, the standard
s f01Oa ye as r. sSs H W Hardly 0r of the
type that had been desired.
No little dissatisfaction was expressed,
after the season was finally completed,
that the stronger teams mad not made
more OF the game. Even those who do not
pretend to have a thorough knowledge of
the intricacies Of the sport, and who have
not read it's rules and laws with the
studiousness of a coach, whose future de-
ponds upon his ability to teach, quite fire.
duently expressed themselves both during
the season and after It's completion as to
their regret that the games had not been
more keenly exciting.
That this was due to overcaution and
too much defensive play on the part or the
contestants Is assured. As matter or
fact, this was caused because those who
had the development of the new game in
hand which proceeded. OF course, immedl-
ately after the changes in the rules sprang
their new theories In some abundance and
then Immediately set about to find plans
which would circumvent them.
The reason behind this is the same boyle
man which filed the hearts OF the coaches
under the old system-loss OF the ball.
American football steadily refrigerated be-
cause at least so per cent of the coaches
would not be convinced that He might be
possible for q team occasionally to lose