MAR. 19, 1965
Sports Slants
This year, for the first time, there will be no double-headers on the Mid Suburban League baseball schedule. When we talked to Coach Al Carstens, who was instrumental in this rule change, he had this to say, "I'm glad to see this change go into effect for two reasons. First, it's better for the ballplayers. In high school baseball there is a rule prohibiting pitchers from working more than seven innings in a three-day period yet, under the old system, players were forced to play for six straight hours Secondly, with so many good days during the week to play it is illogical to bank on Saturday being a good day. Baseball players, like basketball players, do not need the time during the week to recuperate and practice like a football player does. The baseball player learns the game through active participation either in a game situation or at practice."
The rule has been handed down from the original league in the area, the Suburban League. Travel problems and lack of daylight make afternoon games hard to schedule conveniently. The Saturday double-header is, in their case, a wise thing. With the schools in the MSL so close, however, there is no need for such action. This new scheduling will also make it easier to attract crowds from students already on campus.
The voting was extremely close for the season's captains and most valuable players who were announced Tuesday at the annual Winter Sports Awards Night. The closeness of the balloting was indicated by the fact that, of four varsity teams, two selected co-captains.
The basketball players chose Jim Smith as their most valuable player as was expected, and the captainship was shared by Don Kinder and Stoney Jackson.
It was another toss-up in gymnastics, so Dick Braun and John Kennett were chosen co-captains while Bill Bach won the honor of most valuable player.
The most valuable swimmer turned out to be butterfly specialist, Tom Gast. Dave Ladendorf was picked to be this year's team captain.
Maine West students have shown great enthusiasm for the many sports events during the year. Whether we win or lose there is always a crowd vital to Maine's spirit.
The weakest link in the chain of interscholastic athletics has been that the number of participants has been limited. Welding that link has been hampered by critics who exploit wrong ideas by pointing out the factors of great amounts of money, facilities, time, and personnel devoted to the displaying of the skills of the athletically-gifted few.
The increasing number of sports events televised is advantageous to such statements as-"we are becoming a nation of spectators."
Raising the abominable question of benefits that are being derived from watching athletic contests is the main topic of discussion.
The benefits of a schoolboy or girl who attends games by watching is merely the pleasure of the opportunity to get "charged up" and to "let go" in the socially accepted way. Monotony of the daily routine is scattered.
It is not necessary to agree with all that is written about this topic. Many arguments are begun over this seemingly simple topic, but all advocates of various feeling have some very good points of view.
In wrestling, Maine put six men on the All-Conference mat squad. They are Tom Mordue, Ron Ploshay, John Krumpos, Jim Stamborski, Jim Cichowski, and Mark Praxmarer. Our congratulations go to these boys for their fine effort this season.