The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1952-01-18
| The
| Fifth
/ Quarter
The Sportlight
On Diocesan
Grade Schoolers

Saturday Assumption ana fresen-
tation Leagues have gone by the
board, and all the preseason fears
about the success of this unusual
venture into Saturday basketball
are fast disappearing
There was much wondering
about this project, which was a
change from the order which
had prevailed since the begin
ming of the organized element
ary program back in 1926. So
far The wondering has proved 10
be groundless. Undoubtedly
there have been few individ-
uaIs put out because OF the
change, but the greater number
especially fhe boys - have
benefited, and that is the main
purpose of the diocesan pro-
gram. We felt certain sense
of Joy the other day when one
good mother expressed her salts
faction with the new program.
'Ifs so nice 70 be able 70 have
supper on time this basketball
season." was her remark on what
the program meant to her.
OF course, we don't want to give
the impression that the only teams
that are in season are the mem
bers of the Assumption and Pre-
sentation leagues. There are a
number of cases that make it inn
possible to follow the Saturday
plan, and thus the Visitation
league is most necessary. Ii is inn
portant to keep in mind the pur-
pose of the program.
There are many educators TO-
day who look with disfavor on
competitive athletics on the
grade-school level. But we think
along with many others that the
Columbus Diocesan prog r a m
which has been going along for
some rs successful years dis
credits their objections. Com
petition is good for boys, IL II is
directed and supervised to pro-
duee ihe proper result. The
grade school program was devils
ed for that purpose - to provide
supervised athletics and TO pre-
vent anything which might slip in
to hurt the program or the boys.
The leagues are organized to en-
force rules for the safety and gen
eral welfare of the players. Com
petitive athletics should produce
enjoyment, entertainment, an d
good sportsmanship especially
among youngsters. The Saturday
program helps to produce the de.
sired result in many cases, such as
in schools without gyms. The high
school officials at ST. Charles and
Aquinas are more than willing to
allow the use OF the facilities on
this non-school day, and the fun
of the game for the players is in.
sured as far as the playing condi'
tions are concerned.
We're expanding our athletic
typewriter this week as the pro-
gram under our supervision does
likewise. The Junior cYo was
launched last week as some ii
teams went TO the task of seeing
who could make more baskets.
This program which is organized
on a parish level for boys in high
school, not past l8 years and not
playing on their school teams.
is bursting with enthusiasm at
the possibility Of coming into It's
own. II has been in progress for
the past few years, but q num-
ber of circumstances have caused
II TO stand on q very shaty
foundation.
A few breaks like the use of tn,
st. Charles intramural courts al
lowing two games at time, pIu
the fact that the boys will have
say in the league themselve
through the Our Lady of Fatim
Athletic Council, which has bee
formed to help solve the pro
blems of the league, are changin
the nl1ffnnk On things