Naismith Helped Football, Too, for Use
Of the Pass, Which Led to a Wide-Open
Style, Was Borrowed From Cage Sport

(Editors: Dr. F. C. Allen, Kansas university basketball coach
worked many years with Dr. James Naismith, “father of basket
ball,’ who died Tuesday. He wrote this statement regarding Doc
tor Naismith for The Associated Press.) —

_ By DR. F. C. ALLEN
LAWRENCE, Kan., Nov. 28.—(®)—The youth of the world ha
lost a great benefactor in Dr. James Naismith, the father of bas-

ketball.

Eighteen million young men all over the world are

playing his game of basketball, which he originated for 18 trouble-
some young men in a class at Springfield, Mass. Y. M. C. A. col-

 

lege in 1891. e

Dr. Naismith is directly responsible
for all the large field houses, the large
auditoria and gymnasia where basket~
pall is played today. Before this game
was originated there were few large
indoor arenas that were used for any

Details of Doctor Naismith’s
death will be found on page q;

indoor sports. Dotting the middle
| western states are highschool gym-
'nasia that are much larger in size that
‘the entire school buildings were 30
years ago. ;

Dr. Naismith is indirectly responsible
for the forward pass in football.

Then Comes the Pass

Until the popularity of basketball
which began to spring up in the col-
leges of America in 1905, the forward
pass in football was not thought of.

 

 

Then the football rules committee

incorporated. the. forward pass. 9F. |.

basketball pass in football, and im-
mediately the open game became
the element that spread the defense.

Basketball has become footballized
and football has become basketballized,
The forward pass of today is a Nai-
smith innovation. Today it is the most
spectacular of all plays on our grid-
irons,

Frederick Froebel gave to the world
the i se of the kindergarten—edu-
cation through play. Doctor Naismith
gave to the youth basketball, a game
that takes the youngster from the
eighth grade to maturity.

He Left the Ministry

I once heard eight nationally known
educators speaking from the same
platform declare that basketball had
all the qualities necessary to teach
the educable child: poise, rhythm,
grace, co-ordination, development of
skills and the development of physical
vigor.

The speakers were not competitive
coaches nor were they athletes. This
game, the only imternationai game
that is the product of ohne man’s brain,
stamps Doctor Naismith as a great
educator, a kindly humanitarian and
a practical Christian.

He loved youth. He and Alonzo
Stagg both working together, chose

 

the profession of physical education
over the ministry, in which they were
ordained, because they could do more
for youth, they thought.

The youth of the world will arise
and call Doctor Naismith blessed.

Cubs Hope to Buy
A Good Shortstop

Yes, and an Outfielder
Would Help, Too

CHICAGO, Nov. 28—(#)—The Chi-
cago Cubs hope ‘to transform their
fourth place team of 1939 into a
National league title contender at the
winter baseball meeting at Cincinnati
next week, _ Ses

Gabby Hartnett’s crew needs most
of all a ranking shortstop and fence-
busting outfielder, but all efforts to
uncover either since the season closed
apparently have come to naught. 8

Dick Bartell bogged down at short-
stop last season after several bril-
liant campaigns with the New York
Giants. The Cubs still have hopes of
acquiring a tried and true major
leaguer for this spot at Cincinnati,
but failing this may make a deal for
an infielder from one of the AA mi-
nor league outfits.

Only a few weeks ago Owner Phil
Wrigley said the Cubs were not in-
terested in buying high priced stars
frem other clubs, but would endeavor
to develop their own talent hence-
forth. But reports persist that the
Cubs are trying to get Enos Slaugh-
ter, outfielder, and Don Padgett,
catcher-outfielder from the St. Louis
Cardinals.

Sure, Connie Will Trade

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 28—(@&)—
Connie Mavk of ime Atiicucs Will
trade Outfielder Wally Moses for the
“right man.” “I’m not crazy about
trading Wally,” the lean veteran de-
clared, “but outfielders are easier to
get than infielders and I’d trade him
if I liked the deal.”

*