The Washington herald., 1918-01-02
PRO TOSSERS
GOING STRONG
Basketball in Professional
Ranks Has Enjoyed the
Best of Successes.
By JACK HAAS

II Is not generally known in this Vi
'cinity that basketball is being PLAYED
professionally. but IL you are a tried
and true first-degree fan and are con-
templating a trip into Pennsylvania.
New Jersey or New York state IL
would be well to consult the daily
papers Of these cities in order that
you may witness one OF these con-
tests.
Along about 1880 or a few yesrs be-
fore that time those who participated
IN basketball In PHILADELPHIA ana
New York City came TO the conclusion
mat they could make a little coin for
themselves and the National Profess
siohsl Basket-Ball League was orgsn-
ized. Their conclusion was certainly
yustineo. for the National League. now
known as the Eastern. is still a sue
cessful organization. Other teams.
noting the success OF the first profess
leagues.
The Eastern League is composed OF
teams from Greystock, Jasper and he
Nen Athleue Clubs Of Philadelphis.
camden and Trenton, q. J., and Read
ing. Pa
The Pennsylvania State Lesgu. 4,
- n
dale, Wilkesoarre, NantIcoke. Pittston-
Hazleton, Plymouth and Scranton
These teams are all located in the
anthracite coal regions.
The New York State League A oom-
posed Of Schenectady. Mohawk. Bu6-
con, Utica, Glens Falls, Cohoes ana
Saratoga representing the Hudson
River section.
The American League is represeptas
by the Fiftieth Club. Saint Columbia
hancock. Girsrd, West Branch
AaHier' ST Edward and Simpson. in
dependent athletic clubs Of the Quaker
City.
Ihe Interstate League is made m
OF the following teams: Brideeport.
Danbury and Stanford. Conn; Psftsr-
York.
The Pennsy Altoona League is COM
posed Of shopmen employed bv the
Pennsylvania Railroad Companv Al
Altoona, Pa The Inter-County OF
western Pennsylvania. County
League OF Scranton, Pa, Industrial
Northwest Church Association, Broth
erhood and Bank OF Trust are LEAGUES
composed OF players who are not quite
strong enough 20 play in the firrt four
A-NAaNaNAANN VI eHhlEdAADllE- All OF Nnefa
leagues play the professional rules.
Philadelphia il the banner city and
takes the lead in turning out GOOD
basketball players. IL is authoritive-
| ly stated that there are at Inst sooa
boys playing the game In and about
the Quaker City.
The Pennsylvania State League IL
the most prosperous OF all the pro-
fessionsl organizations At every
league game the halls are packed
with men, women. boys and girls who
are wildly enthusiastic over the con-
tests. You can imagine just what
crowds attend the games when the
league owners pay salaries TO their
players anywhere from $50 TO $50 =
month. At w1lkes-Bsrre the games
are played in the old Ninth Regiment
Aru1ory and there are very rarely
less than 500 spectators in attend
ance and as high as 500 fans have
turned out to witness a championship
contest.
There are several reasons why the
professional game is more prosper
Gus than that played by the col
leges, schools and amateurs. The
most important is that all games
are played in regulation cages.
made with rope or wire. The cage
encloses the entire playing space,
therefore, the ball is never out OF
bounds. This fact makes the game
about SO per cent faster than those
that are played without the cage.
The games can he witnessed from
any part OF the hall as glass back
boards are located back OF the bsS-
kets and the view is unobstructed.
Another rule that makes the
game much more popular is the one
shooting from the l5-foot line
when fouls are committed. In
stead OF one player being desig-
| mated to shoot all the fouls. the
player who is fouled does the
shooting. Many a -ame has been
won under the intercollegiate rules
because OF the fact that one team
4 has a more expert foul goal shoot
er than its opponent.
The other differences in the rules
( are slight. but il you want 20 wit
ness a good fast contest in which
there ID not hardly a breathing
| space. you had better look Up =
| professional game, and you will
| find the enthusiasm at such a pitcA
that you can hardly hear the on
cial's whistle.