Practical English Composition Part 11

CHAPTER X

REPORTING GAMES

"It is not strength but art obtains the prize, And to be swift is less than to be wise."

_Iliad._

I. a.s.signment

If it is fall, report a football game; if winter, a basket-ball game; if spring or summer, a baseball game.

II. Material

In order to be able to report a football game, one must understand the rules of the game, be familiar with the _personnel_ and history of the opposing teams, and know the names of the officials. The task therefore resolves itself into three parts:

1. Learning the rules of the game.

2. Studying the teams and officials.

3. Attending the game and taking notes.

Those members of the cla.s.s who are familiar with the rules may be a.s.signed the task of explaining them to the others; this is an excellent exercise in oral composition. It should include: (1) A short history of football; (2) A description of the field; (3) a description of the equipment of a team; (4) an account of the organization of a team; (5) a description of the way a game is played; (6) an explanation of the rules. _Spalding's Football Guide_ contains all of the information necessary, though it may be supplemented by encyclopaedias. It is suggested that this exercise be organized for presentation as a program.

The study of the opposing teams may be managed in the same way. It should include: (1) Their past history; (2) their _personnel_; (3) some account of the officials and their qualifications.

Quick and accurate observation of what happens during a game is essential. A good scheme for recording everything as it occurs is to make a chart of the field in a notebook, and, as the game progresses, to mark on it the progress of the ball, using a blue pencil when it is in the possession of one side and a red pencil when the other has it. On this chart brief notes of the methods by which the ball is advanced may also be made.

III. Composition

Football reports vary in length from a bare statement of the result of a game to many columns, the determining factor in this particular being the amount of public interest. The style is sometimes rendered picturesque by a skillful use of metaphor, ant.i.thesis, and slang, but more often is severely plain. The latter method is the only safe one for beginners. Except in the hands of a genius, the former is sure to result in silly vulgarity. The models which follow are of convenient length and in style are admirable, being clear, correct, and free from vulgarity.

IV. Models

I

MICHIGAN, 15; M.A.C., 3

Michigan defeated the Michigan Agricultural College at Lansing on Sat.u.r.day, Oct. 14, in a game which marked the first defeat of the Aggies on their home field. The Wolverines went into the late minutes of the third quarter without a score and with 3 points against them, and, by the kind of football that has made Yost teams famous, played the "farmers" to a standstill.

Michigan was returned a winner by a score of 15 to 3. The game brought out Jimmie Craig in the new role of halfback and a.s.sured him a permanent berth behind the line. Six hundred Michigan rooters attended the game.

The summary:

_Michigan_, 15 _Position_ _M.A.C._, 3

Garrels L.E. {Stone (Capt.) {Davis

Conklin (Capt.) L.T. {Bekeman {Day

Bogle L.G. McLaughty

Paterson C. McWilliams

Allmendinger} R.G. {Culver Quinn } {Martin

Pontius R.T. Gifford

Wells R.E. Gorenflo

Craig } Q. Riblet McMillan}

Torbet } Herrington} L.H. Hill Craig }

Carpell R.H. Markem

Thomson F.B. {Bullard {Julian

_Officials_--Referee, Hackett, West Point; Umpire, Eckersall, Chicago; Field Judge, Allen, Northwestern; Head Linesman, Yeckley, Penn. State. _Time of Periods_--10 minutes.

II

MICHIGAN, 19; OHIO STATE, 0

Michigan's defeat of O.S.U. on Ferry Field Sat.u.r.day, October 21, was due largely to the superior endurance of the Wolverine team.

State outplayed Michigan in the first quarter of the game, but Michigan soon settled to the task and rolled up 19 points against no score for the visitors. Foss, the Ohio quarterback, was the individual star of the game.

The summary:

_Michigan_, 19 _Position_ _O.S.U._, 0

Conklin (Capt.) L.E. {Trautman {McCoy

Bogle } L.T. Barriklow Roblee}

Bogle} L.G. Raymond Quinn}

Paterson C. Geib

Allmendinger} R.G. Geisman Garrels }

Pontius R.T. Markley (Capt.)

Wells R.E. {Pavey {Stover

McMillan} Q. Foss Pickard }