Evening star., 1939-12-19
Major Baseball
Under Arcs Biq
Athletic Trend
Growth of Interest
In Pro Grid Also
Voted Notable
BY SID FEEDER,
Associated Press Sports Writer.


NEW YORK, Dec. 1e-The in
crease in the size of electric lighting
bills in sport, notably for major
league baseball, was noted today by
the sports editors of the country as
the outstanding athletic trend in
1899.
TWenty-seven of the 81 sports edi-
tors participating in the Associated
Press ninth annual poll on Just
which way the sports wind blew
strongest during the year voted the
landslide toward night sports in par
ticular and night baseball in the
majors as the No. l trend.
This was regarded far above any
other development in sports, al
though there was considerable ball
loting for repeat" of last years
top trend-the mushroom growth OF
interest in professional football,
which has just wound up the most
successful year it has enjoyed at
the box office since the National
League was formed in 1921. A total
OF 18 editors named this the out
standing development, and one
other split his ballot.
Other Trends Noted.
Nothing else was regarded In the
same league with these two. Several
editors noted balancing of power"
in collegiate football-a leveling of
IN which no geographical section was
dominant-but only three ballots
had this at the top of the list. Two
others led off with the big stick"
Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw M.
Lands began to WELD during and
before the major league meetings in
an attempt to straighten out the
complicated farm-system problem.
Altogether, the sports editors
noted about SO separate and dis
tinct trends or developments during
the year, with % of them in foot
ball alone. In addition to the
growth of pro ball and the leveling
of in the collegiate game, there
were such others as an increase in
the use of the forward pass and q
definite decline in the lateral; q
trend toward interest in few out
standing big time" games, rather
than support of the so-called
Hometown" battle; and a de-
emphasis and lessening OF subsidiza-
ton in college football, particularly
by "the Big Ten policeman" as one
sports editor described the Western
Conference.
Football Sways Voters.
This ballot, incidentally, attributed
the University of Pittsburghs grid
iron "de-emphasis" to the Big Ten,
and said the conference now was
casting about for new worlds to
conquer" with an eye toward the
South.
Other football ballots noted a re-
turn OF gridiron "hysteria" to the
Midwest, particularly in Iowa, be-
cause of the Hawkeyes spectacular
comeback this fall, and two editors
picked "the flow of football talent to
the South as their No. develop
ment.
Bigger crowds at all sporting
events" was the choice of two other
voters. There was scattered SUPPORT
for such others as:
An increase in fumbling IN foot
ball.
Spread of amateur boxing.
Epidemic of sore arms In baseball.
Gambling in football.
"Hippodroming" CHARGED.
"Hippodroming" and exhibition
stunts in many sports.
Increased use of the quick-kick Al
a gridiron offensive weapon.
Criticism of the Shauehnessy
playofts In minor league baseball.
Tightening of the Yankee mon
opoly in baseball, with other club
owners now trying to beat the Yanks
In meeting rooms instead of on the
ball field.
More spectacular football.
Expansion of racing along with a
rise In pari-mutuel machine betting
recently approved in New York and
New Jersey.