University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, February 5.1974
5
Baseball, Its Heroes Are Subjects of New Lit Course
By STEVEN W. LEWIS
Kanan Staff Reporter
Stan "the Man" Musial was all there was in the far as far as young James Carothers was
Carothers, a St. Louis boy, would get a special thrill at the ballpark watching the Man bat. He kept close watch over the Man's statistics and even, for a while, attempted to mimick the Man's famous watting stance.
Stan the Man is gone now. He retired after the 1963 season.
As for James Carothers, he's now an assistant professor of English at the University of Kansas. But Carothers' love for baseball hasn'tebt. He put together this semester is teaching a course called "The Literature of Baseball."
Carobers and Friday that baseball literature, whether fiction or journalism, can offer great value.
believe in-the baseball hero, clean-living and successful denote adversity.
But something has happened to the slugging heroes. Whereas the press used to protect baseball heroes from bad publicity, Carothers said, today it no longer does; recent books, such as Jim Boston's "Ball Four," tend to debunk heroes.
CAROTHERS SAID his youthful ideals were once shaken by a Saturday Evening post article by home-run-struger Baseball for Money, not Fun."
Baseball hero-worship is changing, Carothers said. The sport is no longer the national pastime that it was when Babe Ruth, Joe Dmaggio and Musial were clearing the bases, Henry Aaron, despite his incredible 713 career home runs, trails modern heroes who are rock 'n' roll singers, Carothers said.
Gas Allotment Reduced; KU Cars Run on Credit
The gasoline shortage has caused some inconvenience for the department of building and grounds, but so far no vehicles have been without gasoline, Harry M. Buchholz, director of the University of Kansas physical plant, said yesterday.
Bau-jhölz said that a 50 per cent reduction in gasoline delivered to the University forced many University vehicles to be filled at service stations. He said this was because he had been based on a smaller number of vehicles actually used. University gas.
"When the allotment was made we were filling building and ground vehicles, some vehicles from housing and some pool cars, water canals, and some vehicles filling up at our pumps," Buchholz said. "In three months we used up over half a year's supply, so we had to go to credit card companies."
Buchholz said that about 100 vehicles had filled regulatory at University pumps last year, and that gasoline deliveries had averaged 1,800 gallons a week.
This year, he said, delivered totals 900 gallons a week, but only trucks, tractors and mowers used by building and grounds workers. The number of vehicles was purchased with credit cards.
Burchols said the University purchased its bulk gasoline from Raymond E. Polk, a major provider of ethanol.
"So far he's been delivering gasoline
every time we call him," Buchholz said.
"We've had to wait a day or two sometimes."
Buchholz said that under the energy guidelines issued last year the University might be able to get up to 80 per cent of the previous contract, instead of 50 per cent.
in brief
Watson Extends Hours
Carothers compared baseball literature to western, mystery and science fiction literature. But he said baseball literature was usually very bad.
Watson Library and the science libraries have changed their Saturday hours to 9 a.m.
The libraries received financial aid from the administration to fund the extended hours.
Don Haines Wins Award
Don Haines, professor of civil engineering, has been selected "chapter honor member" by the Kansas Chapter of the National civil engineering bonaroy society.
"A GREAT BULK of baseball literature is produced by working journalists who have to meet a deadline, "Carothers excerpts from interviews," to polish and reflect on their writing."
The award is given for professional accomplishments in civil engineering.
Carothers said there were more than 100 nonfiction bookse in the Lawrence Public Library, and most of them describe individuals and teams of significance today.
"When Vida Blue had contact problems with Charlie Finley," he said, "immediately someone signed him to write his autobiography. Blue was only 21 years old."
Not all baseball books are commercial products, however. Carothers said that he has spent over a half-century "The Natural" by Bernard Malamud could casly appear on any list of the 100 greatest books.
*YOU KNOW MME AL,* *CAROtter laddu*, is a **SYSTEM** of **MESH**; Carotter laddu is, i.e. **YOU KNOW MME AL,** *CAROtter laddu*.
Carothers said there should be more great baseball novels because the sport was ripe for literary exploitation. "If Moby Dick, a book about a whale, could be one of the classics of the 19th Century, Carothers said, is as easily as a classic of the 20th Century."
Carotthers said baseball appealed to him because the sport involved a combination of individual and team characteristics. He played for the Pittsburgh baseball didn't have an eutense of violence.
"In baseball, rhubarbis are comic scenes," he said. "There isn't a lot of hitting. Baseball feels threatened by genuine violence. It's more a leisurely sport."
CAROTHERS PLANNED for 30 students in his "Literature of Baseball" class. Ninety enrolled. He said it was "absolutely essential" that the course not be a "pud." Course requirements include 12 texts, a show, a mid-term and final examination.
The large enrollment, Carothers said, indicates a continued fascination with baseball, despite the national decline of the sport.
"When baseball teams have to give away bats and balls, they're in trouble." Carothers said. "The problem is greedy players and owners. The constant franchise
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SENIORS AND GRADS
You are needed now for summer and fall volunteer positions in the USA and abroad. Register by email or call 514-292-3836 PLACEMENT OFFICE, Summerfield Hall, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 11-12
Festival of the Arts
March 24-30,1974
1500 TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ALL SEVEN NIGHTS
$^7^{00}$ FOR Entire Package
Individual Ticket Prices:
Package Coupons Now Available at SUA Office Coupon Holders Will Have First Choice of Seats Individual Night Ticket Sales Start March 4
Kansas City Philharmonic . . . . . 1 $ 2^{50} $
William Friedkin . . . . . . . . . . . 1<sup>50</sup>
A Funny Thing Happened on
The Way to the Forum . . . . . . . . 2<sup>00</sup>
National Folk Ensemble of Nigeria . 2 $ ^{0 0} $
Ozark Mountain Medicine Show . . . 3⁰
Les Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1<sup>50</sup>
Pointer Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3<sup>50</sup>
TOTAL '16 $ ^ { \circ } $
an SUA production
Hoch Auditorium
shifting disillusions people."
CAROTHERS ALSO CTED a lack of open spaces within cities as another reason for the decline of baseball. He said the demise of sandlot ball, coupled with the rise of such sports as basketball, had contributed to baseball's loss of appeal.
He said that baseball was hurting also because it didn't televeise well. High fly bails, he said, aren't as spectacular on television as they are in person.
The expenses of actually going to see a game today discourage attendance,
But Carothers was reluctant to predict the death of baseball. He said that to do so would be like predicting the death of the theater.
"The World Series is still the most exciting thing in sports," he said. "The Super Bowl is not."
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Whether you're still in medical school with the rigen of three years, be sure you are making progress before you can already practice physician, it's our opinion that the Air Force can offer both professional and personal satisfaction to military medical students.
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Take the problem of graduate medical education to its next level by considering easier with comfortable salary and invigorating benefits.
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Not all physicians parure post residence fellowships. But if you are interested, the Air Force concludes that it is better to parure with a
The physician already in practice can look forward to other things. If you want training in the field of medical technology, you are in the Air Force. For example, there's emphasis on group medicine and preventive medicine, and the growing specialization of "family physician". Whatever your interest, these physicians which are not trained in today's Air Force
The physician starting his practice in civilian
tax to take into account the cost of setting up
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Whether you are already a physician, or soon to become one, you might find it extremely interesting to find out what the Air Force has to offer. We think you will benefit from having someone else on hand, we will be happy to send you detailed information.
the Air Force does not. He finds his office established for him. Supplies and equipment readily available, and he is well trained in medical patients. For example, he can consult with Air Force specialists. He also has referral to other Air Force specialists. The more experience he has, the least are the satisfaction that come with having the opportunities for regular follow-ups, and a missed opportunity.
--evelyn wood reading dynamics
NO PANIC!
You can read the entire year's Western Civ assignments in the next few weeks and pass the Comprehensive in May!
Reading Dynamics shows you how to get right down to the meaning in all those words
You Learn-
—how to preview each reading in a few seconds per page to find out what issues are discussed
—how to read rapidly (probably three times as fast as you do now) with good comprehension
—how to make fast, clear, graphic notes
—how to compare and contrast the view of the various writers
—how to organize your thoughts to write an essay
Our Reading Dynamics teacher is a former Western Civ instructor, but this is not a discussion group. It is guided reading. We will begin using Western Civ materials at the third Reading Dynamics lesson, when you have had some experience in the new skills. Thereafter some of the readings are done in class but most are scheduled for the daily home practice in Reading Dynamics.
We will show you the most efficient way to approach each reading. Every week we will check your notes and give you a few questions on the readings so you can see if you are understanding.
WESTERN CIV BEGINS FEBRUARY 14 and meets thursdays, 7-10 p.m. FOR EIGHT WEEKS.
REGULAR READING DYNAMICS SECTION BEGINS FEB. 12 AND MEETS TUESDAYS, 7-
9:30 p.m. FOR EIGHT WEEKS.
CALL NOW TO ENROLL OR FOR MORE INFORMATION—843-6424
Hillcrest Shopping Center
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