The Republican journal., 1921-02-17
The Basket Ball Situation


for the next few years.
T Those who remember the successful
base ball team that the High school had
IN 1914, and the effect of the profes sional
team that was played next year, will un-
derstand the feeling. The professional
element in the past ruined base ball, and
action must be taken if another popular
sport Is not to be made so common as to
destroy its backing in the community.
Because of this the High school feels it
necessary to put it's side of the argument
before the citizens of Belfast, and to ask
their careful consideration and Judgment.
Until this year the High school, and the
High school alone, has had control of
basket ball activities in the city.
Many will recall the team of 1910 which
| so we'll justified their claim to champion
ship. After that, naturally, the material,
while good, as High school material, with
training, always can be, was not above
the average, until last year, when we
We're able to put forward team that few
in the State couli equal
Great numbers of the citizens turned
out to the games and good proceeds were
realized. AS it was not necessary, as it
is this year, to pay for the Armory, the
greater part of the door receipts were net
gain What was done with this money?
Every cent of it was turned over to
the High School fund. In supporting
the High School games the citizens mere
ly contributed to the erection of our new
school building,
This year we intended to do the same,
but through several untoward events,
there will be sum to turn over to the
city government that will be very small
in comparison to the $500 that the schools
contributed last year.
But it is not about this year that we
are so much concerned, although we
were forced to take an action that was
not altogether pleasing to school or citi-
zens.
This is our complaint.
The High School team last year popu-
larized the game of Basket Ball in this
city, and now we find this same popular
ity put to commercial purposes by a
group not connected with the High
School, and being done, in measure,
for private gain.
II is impossible for two teams, COM
posed practically of different players, tc
be alike in excellence, and this year the
: High School found itself with splendid
team, but of inexperienced and unsensa-
, tional players, with for rivals, not but in
!! composed of men who had been playing
. for years. Our attendance fell off and we
/ were left with the contract for the Arm
ory to pay and small prospects for rais-
ing the money to pay it unless we chang
ed our tactics.
In order to give the public a show
worth its money, we were forced te
make a new lineup, composed of two
high School men and three townsmen
two of whom, however, were Belfast
alumni, and one of these a member ot
last years team.
, This team has drawn crowds that fill
the Armory, and equal any of last year
Thus it is not from a monetary stand
point that we complain.
We are afraid of precedent that will
commercialize a game that is properly
scholastic, and in a few years, remove
from the High school it's most genera
sport and the one from which it make.
all pecuniary gains.
We crave your support, not for thi.
r year alone, but for the succeeding years
Not cent that we receive goes to ;
: cause that is not for the public welfare
AS has been said before, all money abov,
, student expenses goes to the new Higl
' school.
If there is to be more than one team
.. we feel that all should be under the con.
! troll OIL one authority. In the case O
Camden the Y. M. C. A. has this powe
and the scheme is successful.
AS there is not Y. M. C. A. in Bel
fast we shall have to organize a Com
: munity Athletic Club, in which the Higl
h school and citizens will be represented
b and this organization will have complete
/ control, through proper committee O
n the business management of the games.
n Must we form such a club this year
r The High school puts this very seriou
e matter in the consideration of the citi
y zens of Belfast and asks advice and co
= operation. Shall we receive it?
n We seem to stand at the parting of tn,
h ways. Shall Basket Ball remain pur
7 High school activity, or shal it be com
t mer cialized, and if so in what msnner2
: The Hign school has presented it's cas
: and awaits your action.
II Respectfully,
It BARTLETT WHITING.