The San Francisco call., 1910-02-26


who have never won a prize in any of
the games already held by the league.
This will attract hundreds of boys who
have not yet competed. Games will be
arranged for the remaining ones also,
so that there will always be something
to look forward to, even for the cham
pions.
The basket ball tournament now in
progress has included the competition
of some 40 teams, averaging eight
players to team. During the last
two weeks the preliminary series We're
played, and the deciding games in the
different classes will be contested dur
ing the coming week. Baseball will
be on the schedule for teams of all
sizes, and the great American game
is certain to prove popular with the
boys, as was the case a year ago. An
inspiring sight of the many point win
ners at the district games held last
fall, competing in the championship
series at the stadium in Golden Gate
park this spring, is one of the treats
in store for the parents of the chill
dren. The championship meeting last
May was a great day for the Public
Schools athletic league. From 10
o'clock in the morning until late in the
afternoon of a beautiful California day,
the youth of San Francisco employed
extended effort to win glory for the
honor of their respective schools One
thousand boys in actual competition,
a sight productive of the most elevat-
ing aspirations The occasion was one
grand outing for the parents and
teachers, who arrived at the big play
ground in the forenoon and remained
throughout the day.
This is what the gentlemen of the Pub
lie Schools athletic league hope to es
tablish as an affair, not once year, but
as a periodical display Of the great
good derived from athletics and play.
1t is up to every boy and girl in the
schools to take part in these assemblies.
Not to let them pass by only to regret
the omission in after years. The time
to get strong is now, when you are free
to take part in the games which in
future years are only specialized by a
few record breakers. There are no
hardships attached to being eligible for
a prize under the league. Get into the
games. Be part of the movement
to make stronger and greater COM
munity. Learn to accept defeat with
the kindest thoughts toward your op-
ponent and victory with consideration
for the less successful. To control
your temper in the pitch of excitement
is one Of the greatest attainments of
an athlete and such training will prove
invaluable in after life. This Is what
the Public Schools league offers, an
added feature to the school system,
but after all the most natural one.
The league has been organized along
the same lines followed in New York,
New Orleans, Boston and Seattle,
where the games and exercises are
established features in the daily rou-
tine of the pupil In New York the
Public Schools league has developed at
"A cost of 100000 four athletic fields,
which are used for the children OF the
schools. These recreation grounds are
separate from the public Fairgrounds.
Here Ia San Francisco the scheme is to
obtain possession of school sites which
have been unused since the fire and
arrange the same for athletic fields.
Football in the local schools is also
TO be added to the number of events
now enjoyed. Not the football against
which storm of protest has arisen
during the last year. but real skiilful
football, In which grit. endurance and
speed are requisites. Association foot
ball, the Australian game of football, is
also TO be given a trial in the league.
Both games are superior contests for
boys in preference to the gridiron bat
tie now furthered by the big colleges
There will be no premium placed on
weight. and the adoption or game
that all can play without expensive
uniforms will no doubt prove a pop
ular addition to the Public Schools
league activities. Association football
is known the world over as the great
est OF International games. 1t is
PLAYED in every corner of the earth,