Show I SPORTS ADVANTAGES OUTWEIGH DANGERS Although there Is some risk that between the ages of nine and 14 who compete in sports may injure their growing growing grow grow- ing bones in ways that may hamper growth or result in deformity deformity de- de the dangers have been exaggerated This comforting comforting com com- forting news comes from Drs Robert L. L Larson and RobertO McMahan of the Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene Ore m IN REVIEWING 1338 athletic injuries in the Eugene area the physicians found that one out of five of those injured were 14 or under However growth disturbances disturbances dis- dis resulting from these injuries were the exception rather than the rule they found But activities such as the base base- runners runner's slide in baseball pitching curve balls and too many innings of pitching do seem hazardous Youngsters who are obese or who are unusually tall lanky and uncoordinated with poor muscle development seem especIally especially es- es prone to injuries that might hamper growth or result in deformity They should postpone postpone post post- pone sports activity the doctors I I 1 recommend unless such activities activities ties are well supervised |