Webster

Raport

Webster .

Raport

Webster

Raport

Webster

Raport

Bruce

on

That's a rathor difficult thing te do, Jim, in a fow words, but I'll
do the bost I can. Badminten is playod on a court similar to a tonnis
court, although the badminton court is considerably smaller, and whilo
played both eutdsors and indoors, the indoor game is the mest popular.
Tho net is about 5 foet high, which is much higher than the tonnis not.
Instead ef rubberized balls, a shuttlecock is used, consisting of a
cork head about tho size of a quarter in which 16 feathers aro inserted
in a conical shape. The commen name for tho shuttlecock is "Bird",
since its flight through the air is similar in a way to a winged fowl.
The rackets arc similar to a tennis racket except that they are much
smaller and lightor.

You stated that the rackets are lighter. What is the average woight
ef a racket, Webster?

The average woight of a tennis racket is nbout 13 ouncos, and the bad-
minton racket will avornge about 5 and a quarter ounces. The bird in
play must be stroked on tho fly and not allowod to touch tho floor,
which constitutes tho big differonce betwoon badminton and tonnis.

People often confuse acrial darts with badminton. In fact, my first
experience in Kansas City with tho game found the group thero playing
acrial darts and they wore calling it badminton. Acrial darts is quite
a good game, but it docs not require and one cannot develop the same
tochnical skill that a person can dovelop in badminton. The acrial dart
game is played with a paddle and a heavy bird weighing about twice, or
three times, as much as a badminton shuttlocock. This game also ro-
quires more space for a playing court. Up to a certain point in the
game progression in tho technique of the game sooms to cease; whereas,
in badminton even the world's professional and amateur champions are
still improving their game. But pleaso don't misunderstand mo; I think
aerial darts is a fine game. Howevor, I am quite convinced that bad-
minton is 2 much bettcr game. Now, Webster, you're a golfer, and you've
done a little swimming, as woll as having played considerable tennis.
How does badminton stack up with these sports as an athletic exercise?

I've done a turn at most all branches of athletics and I think badminton
is comparable to both swimming and tennis for exercising all the muscles
of the body, although it accomplishes the work-out in a little different
way. Bending, stretching, stepping and swinging aro the main actions
involved.

Would you say badminton was a strenuous gamo?

Well, thot depends on how one plays it. If one is going in for tourna-
ment play, particularly singles, more stamina is required than a casual
observer might guess. In fact, I have heard many persons call it a
"sissy" gamo, but onco got such a person on the court and let a good
playor run their pants off and they soon change their mind.

Bruce, what is your opinion of the game for © person of middle ge?

I don't objoct to being called "oid" in tho sense of number of years;
in fact, I am a grandfather and it will not be many years until my two
grandchildren will be taking up the game. One of the nice features of
the game is the fact that old and young can play and enjoy themselves
to the fullest extent. I find the business men abhor calisthenics and