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Show j ABOUT 150.000 SDLDIEfiS IN MILITARY TMHHK CAMPS LAST H WERE FORMER BASKETBALL PLAYERS WASHINGTON, April 27- In round figures, 118,000 soldiers in the military mili-tary training camps participated In organized basketball alone las i season, sea-son, accordlnc to compilation-- made from the reports of camp athletic di-l rectors to Dr Joseph E Raycroft.J member of the war department com-, mission on training camp activities in charge of eamp athletics. This figure, fig-ure, Dr. Ray croft says, does not apply ap-ply to the rank and file who have, played informally and who would bring the number much nearei i.'iumhi, which means that more men have taken tak-en part in competitive basketball this year than ever before.. Dr Ray croft has been struck by the widespread popularity of basketball in the camps. "The choice of educative educa-tive and competitive games for the soldiers in traininc.'' he declared f 'Mb based primarily on their relationship to military activities. This idra is paramount, but it docs not necessarily 'minimize thj recreational qualities. Basketball Best Game. "Ba.' ketball is such a game. Al-thougb Al-thougb limited in team organization, 1 his fact alone makes it exceptionally intensive. It is a game that requires a keen co-ordination of tho physical rind mental. Distance must be gauged to a nicety and evorj. effort mu-t b-correctly b-correctly timed. Such a training enables en-ables a soldier to retain and exercise his witn and inventive faculties under ihe most Lrylng rirrumsiancos. and the consequent ' od punishment he receives creates in him a disregard for casu?l injuries. In short, it is a mag nificent eoure in 'hardening'." "Outside of these advantages, the j simple equipment required for bas-, ketball makes it an ideal camp game." Dr. Raycroft asserts, "as it may b'-played b'-played in the open as well as under cover In certain camps," he says, "the courts have been strung with arc lights and matches plaved outdoors at night." |