Evening journal., 1915-01-04
SPORT death ROLL
1853 IN PAST YEAR
Records Show That Ath-
letlcS Are Growing
Safer
33 DEATHS DUE
TO BALL GAMES

Better decentralization OF sports is
indicated in the death and toll among
athletes Of various kinds during 1914.
Careful records kept of the American,
National and Federal leagues and other
lines of athletic endeavor show that
Americans are attaining more safe
and sane policy ON their many play
grounds and in the forests. But l50
deaths occurred last year among ball
players and hunters. A total of 1850
suffered serious injury.
When one stops TO think of the many
who engage in these times, fully 10.
100000 at the least estimate, the toll
of deaths and injuries does not seem
so terrible.
In fact, it is believed that the same
number of men and boys, if engaged
during the same number of hours in
work or travel would meet with injury
and death in proportion fully as great
as they did in their favorte spirits.
The hunting fatalities of the year
fell off from 1876 last year, although the
injuries jumped from 1876 TO 1852. The
comparison shows satisfactory gain
for sane hunting.
A campaign of warning was wagcd
in each of the s States from which the
figures are drawn. Wisconsin lost 33
hunters; Michigan, 27; Minnesota. II,
Michigan had ~ injured huntsmen; ;
Wisconsin, 80 and Washington. 20.
From the statistics of the game license
bureaus, il is estimated that 100000
Nol
Baseball, in which nearly every boy
in America indulged, and fully one
fifth of American men took part, beside
the numbcrless professional and semi
professional players, makes a remark
ably good showing with only 80 deaths
attributable to injuries received in the
game OF this numOer 20 were hit by
pitched balls; five were struck with
bats; four overexerted themselves; ono
was hurt sliding TO base, and one was
killed In fight.
OF the 0lS injuries recorded as APP
parcntly serious. 3l4 were Of broken
limbs. Is had concusson of the brain
l3 had their skulls fractured; were
paralyzed 81 received serious sprains;
20 were spiked; ~ received fractures
Z were put out of the running by dislo-
cations and 10 were victims of torn
/ lgamcnts.
la the minor leagues, llG were in
/ iurcd in the American League, 60; Ma.
tional League. 6l; Federal League, SO
and on college teams, s.
Football, the most strenuous 1i
! American games, cxacts remarkable
] light toll this year. OF course, tn,
death list of l3 does not convey tn,
! full seriousness of the game Among
the injured, and they are So many ane
constant that they could not all be ac
curatcly tahulated, many are perma
nently injured.
Considering the create number oi
school teams, college teams and boy
who took part in the game this year
and the opportunities for rough wor
which are always present in the game
tine wonder is that the death list is SC
small This is attributed in part TO The
] thoroughly trained condition of the
school and college teams. and the care
, full selection of the most hardy youths
10 make up the teams.
Only two of the fatalities were among
college mcni one of these died frou
heart disease and the other from iniur
les in class game. The others were
members of high schools preparatory
schools and free lance teams. None ol
the boys were over 20 years of age
Tacklng was the principal cause of
the injuries that resulted in death. on
the 1000 aud more cases of injury not
ed, fully half are known to have en-.
tircly recovered, and il is estimated
that the recovcries will reach three
Fquarters Of the number